Bombshell details an off-season AFL scandal — involving the arrest of Hawthorn’s Dylan Moore and Connor Macdonald — has suddenly emerged.
7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary has revealed that the two Hawthorn stars spent a night behind bars on the other side of the world after a wild night out.
In the aftermath, Moore, 26, was stripped of his vice-captaincy.
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There was also a charge of drug paraphernalia at the time but that charge was dismissed.
Moore has now shared details of the incident exclusively to 7NEWS, saying it was a split-second decision that has now haunted him for almost four months.
“I was in the US, I was out having a few drinks, and made a foolish mistake, decided to get on a scissor lift and next think I know the cops are there telling me to get off, and I got off, and next thing I know, I’m in police custody,” Moore told 7NEWS.
A scissor lift is typically something you would see on a construction site.
Moore said he had been in Phoenix in the US doing some pre-season training when he made the “foolish” mistake.
“It’s something that I’ll always regret. A foolish mistake has led to a night in a jail cell and many regrets,” he told 7NEWS.
Asked what was going through his head in the moment, he said not too much.
“I felt a bit of disappointment, regret, stress, anxiety,” he told 7NEWS.
“I was in a cell overnight not knowing if my friends and family knew in Australia.
“It was all just disappointment and fear of what they’re going to think.”
He said following the incident he made immediate contact with the club.
“It was direct communication with the footy club straight away. They were firm but so supportive to me. The last four months communication has been really steady,” he said.
And he said calls home after the incident were “really tough” and “scary”.
“I was on the other side of the world and they couldn’t help me and I couldn’t help them,” he told 7NEWS.
Moore said he felt sorry for coach Sam Mitchell and knew that he had let him down.
“I’ve disappointed him, and the fellow leaders,” Moore said.
“I was vice-captain at the time, and I should have recognised the situation and known the situation and consequences, and risks.
“And having Connor there with me, as an older player, I should know (better). I feel like I’ve let the leaders down and Connor down.”
He said he was no longer vice-captain and did not hold any official leadership titles at the club.
“That doesn’t mean I’m not going to lead – we’ve got two great captains … I’ll do anything for them, put my best foot forward to help them and help get Hawthorn a flag,” he told 7NEWS.
“I feel like we’ve got two amazing co-captains … there’s no two better guys.”
Asked about a pending court date, he said most of the legal work had be done via the club over the past four months.
“I did a diversion program so went and did some education, did 16 hours of education on alcohol, relationships,” he said.
“I’ve done that and I’ll be doing some community service and it’s something I hope I can better myself.
“I’ve done all I can now and (I need to) just put it to one side, be the best person I can be, help the football club to finals, premiership and each day play my role.
“I think this is behind me now.
“I just have to come into the football club and be the best person I can be and be the best mate, partner, and best family member.
“It’s been so tough, but I’ve felt so supported at the football club. We’ve been in constant communication – and I feel like I’ve been so supported.”
