Jesse Hogan stood down by Fremantle Dockers over ‘poor alcohol choices’

Hogan training with the Melbourne Demons in 2018. Photo: Flickerd, Wikimedia Commons

The Dockers’ recent star signing Jesse Hogan has been made unavailable for Fremantle’s opening fixture against North Melbourne at Perth Stadium for the 2019 AFL season. Having transferred from the Melbourne Demons in last year’s trade period, Hogan was expected to debut for his new club in Round 1.

The decision to stand down Hogan has come off the back of a recent video leak of Hogan apparently intoxicated at a party sometime over the off-season. However, the club has qualified its decision to remove Hogan from the squad, confirming that he is suffering from issues with alcohol and clinical anxiety.

No set time for return

Unfortunately for Fremantle fans, there is no set time on when Hogan will return to the AFL. While Hogan will continue to fulfil his training obligations with the club, he will be treated for his clinical anxiety and problems surrounding alcohol. The club released a statement saying that Hogan’s poor decisions regarding alcohol consumption have had a serious impact on his health and mental wellbeing.

Where is Fremantle without Hogan?

The Dockers have languished in the bottom half of the ladder for the last several seasons. Consistent injuries to star midfielder, Nat Fyfe, have meant the team has often struggled in the midfield. Between 2013 and 2015, the club made the top 4, winning their first minor premiership in 2015. However, since 2015, they have not made the finals.

The recent developments with Hogan are certainly not what the club needed to open their 2019 season. Whilst Hogan is not the first AFL player to cause controversy because of behaviour at a party, it appears that the club is taking Hogan’s actions very seriously.

Fremantle fans can only hope that Hogan takes the field soon and adds some much needed depth to Freo’s forward line. Hogan appeared in 71 games for the Demons, kicking 152 goals in his time there. More importantly, Freo traded picks 6 and 23 in the AFL draft to snag Hogan. Suffice to say, there is a lot riding on his form.

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