Roos back Hay in AFL rehabilitation - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Roos back Hay in AFL rehabilitation

By Robert Grant 16/06/2006 02:25:11 PM Comments (0)

Disgraced Kangaroos' defender Jonathan Hay will not be "hung out to dry", according to coach Dean Laidley.

The backman, fined $5,000 and suspended for a match for drinking alcohol on the eve of his VFL game in Tasmania on Saturday, is set to be rehabilitated.

Laidley said while Hay's indiscretion was unprofessional, he would be given another chance - but hinted there was a limit to the club's tolerance.

"Jon won't be able to play this weekend but he'll be back training with us on Monday," Laidley said.

"We've dealt with the situation, we've supported him, we've got him here for the long term, we've set up his body, his training for every session - which he probably hasn't done.

"We've come across our first hurdle and we're not going to hang him out to dry, it's as simple as that.

"We're here to make sure that we get games out of him.

"That's what we got him here for and we're not going to throw the baby out with the bath-water by any stretch of the imagination."

Hay, meanwhile, has yet to undertake the difficult task of explaining his conduct to his teammates.

"He brought his manager (Peter Christie) across on Wednesday, he's met with the chief executive (Geoff Walsh), myself and the football manager (Tim Harrington) and he'll meet with the players probably at a later date," Laidley said.

"He knows he's done wrong and we have to make sure that he understands the support and the chance that we've given him.

"It's up to Jon now, we've given him all the support, we've gone through the due process and the ball's fairly back in his court."

Laidley was shaking his head in disbelief at Hay and several other players enjoying themselves on the gaming floor of Hobart's Wrest Point casino, which is the Kangaroos' official hotel.

"When you stay at the main sponsor's hotel, it's pretty silly for them to be drinking or be on the gaming floor," he said.

"There was a group of them, he was the only one who touched the alcohol and it is certainly unprofessional. If any of our players do that we'd be very disappointed."

Meanwhile, the Kangaroos will resume their home-and-away roster against Carlton at Telstra Dome on June 23, and with bottom side Essendon following, hope to resurrect their season.

Laidley said the most disappointing aspect of the year to date had been the way the team had played competitively but failed to get "across the line".

"That's the difference between this year and last year so far," he said.

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