Sports · Football · 7 hrs ago
Carlton defender Wade Derksen loses licence for 12 months after drink-driving
Carlton defender Wade Derksen pleaded guilty to high-range drink-driving in Darwin Local Court.
Police stopped him on the Arnhem Highway in September, and his blood alcohol reading was 0.174, about three times the legal limit.
The court fined him $873 and suspended his licence for 12 months.
Derksen did not appear in person and entered his plea by telephone.
Carlton also suspended him for three matches, with his lawyer saying the penalty would cost him at least $12,000.
The prosecutor said the court’s penalty should reflect the dangers of drink-driving on Northern Territory roads, which have Australia’s highest rate of road fatalities.
Carlton defender Wade Derksen was fined $873 and lost his driver’s licence for 12 months after pleading guilty to high-range drink driving.
He was stopped on the Arnhem Highway in September with a blood alcohol reading of 0.174, three times the legal limit.
Darwin Local Court heard he had been drinking and fishing with friends in Kakadu National Park.
The court also heard Carlton had imposed a three-match suspension, carrying a financial penalty of at least $12,000.
- Who
- Wade Derksen, a Carlton Football Club defender.
- What
- He pleaded guilty to high-range drink driving and was fined $873 and suspended from driving for 12 months.
- When
- The incident occurred in September; the court imposed the penalty on November 10, 2026.
- Where
- Derksen was stopped on the Arnhem Highway south-east of Darwin. His case was heard at Darwin Local Court.
- Why
- Not stated
Georgia Cooper, prosecutor
Duncan McConnel SC, Derksen's lawyer
Penalty
Georgia Cooper, prosecutor
Cooper said the penalty should reflect the risks of intoxicated driving, especially on Northern Territory roads.
Duncan McConnel SC, Derksen's lawyer
McConnel told the court Derksen had seriously underestimated the effects of his drinking and the impact of being out in the sun.
Context
Georgia Cooper, prosecutor
Cooper pointed to the danger of roads in the Northern Territory.
Duncan McConnel SC, Derksen's lawyer
McConnel described Derksen as hardworking and committed and said he realised he had let people down.
Derksen was stopped on the Arnhem Highway after drinking and fishing with friends in Kakadu National Park.
Derksen pleaded guilty by telephone at Darwin Local Court, which fined him $873 and suspended him from driving for 12 months.
- Blood alcohol reading
- 0.174
- Fine
- $873
- Licence suspension
- 12 months
- Club suspension
- Three matches
- Financial penalty from club suspension
- At least $12,000
What people are saying
We have some of the most dangerous roads in the country and therefore … any sanction the court imposes should speak to that,
He says he seriously underestimated both the impact of what he was drinking, the rate he was drinking and the fact that he was out in the sun,
He realises his stupidity, he realises he's let a lot of people down including his family, his manager and his club,