Senior AFL officials are furious with top draft prospect Charlie Curnow after he was arrested for being drunk in a public place.
Curnow, rated a top-five prospect for next Tuesday’s draft in Adelaide, is likely to face a number of charges after allegedly refusing to take a breath test.
The Geelong Falcons midfielder and forward apologised in a statement issued on Friday afternoon.
“I have done the wrong thing, I’ve behaved badly and let people down,” Curnow said.
“I take full responsibility for my actions, I am extremely remorseful and I will accept the consequences.”
Victoria Police confirmed they pulled over an 18-year-old in the Greater Geelong area early on Friday morning and arrested him for being drunk in a public place.
“The teen allegedly refused a preliminary breath test,” they added.
“It expected he will be charged on summons with a number offences.”
The AFL pointed out in a statement that Curnow, as a player in the AFL Academy and TAC Cup, had undergone off-field development.
That included education on road safety.
Curnow reportedly was released from Geelong police station about 6am and his management later sent a release to AFL clubs.
“He was pulled over by police for driving through a stop sign,” it read.
“A breath test was requested to which Charlie, in his moment of panic, refused.
“He was taken to a police station.
“Charges against Charlie could be being drunk in public, refusing breath analysis and not displaying P-plates.”
He is the younger brother of Carlton player Ed Curnow.
The 18-year-old has attracted interest from Melbourne, who have pick three, and Essendon, who have the next two selections, in the national draft.