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The Australian team for last year's second International Series test. ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Down Under

Aussie player stripped of Rules spot after car crash

Colin Sylvia has been dropped from the Australian side to face Ireland after he fled the scene of a car accident.

AUSTRALIA’S PREPARATION FOR Saturday’s first International Rules test against Ireland has been disrupted after one of the squad fled the scene of serious car accident in Melbourne.

Colin Sylvia has been dropped from the Aussie panel following a late-night drinking session which ended with car in which he was a passenger ploughing into a power pole in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Both Sylvia and the driver, believed to be a friend, escaped unhurt but left the scene before police had been notified.

The player’s club, the Melbourne Demons, confirmed yesterday that he had been interviewed by police but, as he was not the driver of the vehicle, had not been charged.

“Colin was interviewed by police today, who also had access to CCTV footage,” the club told the Herald Sun. “Police have confirmed that whilst Colin left the scene, as he was not the driver he has not committed an offence.”

Australian coach Rodney Eade took a dim view of Sylvia’s drinking the night before the team’s first training session, however, and cut him from the squad to face Ireland.

“I spoke to Colin today and advised him he would not join the squad,” said Adrian Anderson, the AFL’s general manager of football operations.

His preparation to join the Australian team was not acceptable for the standards we require for this series.

The first test of this year’s series takes place in Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium on Friday morning (Irish time).

Read more in the Herald Sun >

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