GOLD Coast captain Gary Ablett has slammed the "unacceptable" behaviour of teammates Charlie Dixon and Jack Martin, who have been banned for one match after breaching the club's zero-tolerance alcohol policy.
Dixon and Martin broke the rules on Friday night before the Suns' 53-point loss against Hawthorn in Launceston by consuming "a glass or two" of wine.
Ablett said the off-field misdemeanours had been bubbling along for years, and it was time to stamp them out.
"We've really put our foot down now, enough's enough. We need to make sure everyone's heading in the same direction," Ablett said.
"In the past I think there's been a bit of inconsistency in the way we've handled things. Change needs to happen.
"The club's job is to educate the boys on what it takes to be a professional footballer.
"Sometimes sacrifices need to be made.
"That's what's disappointing, is the trust that comes with that, and those boys know they really need to earn the group's trust back now.
"It's just unacceptable."
After the Suns' round eight loss to Collingwood on May 23, the playing group assembled the following Tuesday to discuss how they would approach the final three weeks before the club's bye.
The players decided they would consume no alcohol – "black and white", as coach Rodney Eade put it.
Martin suffered a hamstring injury two minutes into the Hawks game and was subbed out, while Dixon had a quiet game, kicking just one goal.
Martin's hamstring injury would have sidelined him from the senior side this week, and the club announced he would remain in the NEAFL for an extra week when he is fit.
Eade said the punishments were about more than simple alcohol bans.
"We're trying to affect change, affect change in their behaviours," Eade said.
"Let's not get caught up in it being about alcohol, it's about professional standards.
"It's about sleep, it's about recovery, it's about diet, it's about training standards, alcohol is one element of that.
"It's about our standards to become an AFL player and what's required."
It's the second time Dixon has faced scrutiny over drinking alcohol this season.
In early May, Gold Coast banned Harley Bennell, Brandon Matera, Trent McKenzie and Danny Stanley for breaching team rules around drinking prior to a game.
Dixon had also been drinking with his family, but escaped a club sanction after the players agreed that this didn't represent a breach of team guidelines.
