ESSENDON rookie Yestin Eades has stood down from the club after his involvement in an alleged incident that is before the courts.
Eades has told the club he will contest the charges. No details have been released about the nature of the charges.
Bombers football manager Rob Kerr told essendonfc.com.au the club would support the 19-year-old.
"The club takes the allegations and charges against Yestin extremely seriously. It is a complex matter and we have worked closely with the AFL, AFLPA and Yestin's management to reach this position," Kerr said.
"The club and Yestin have agreed he will stand down immediately from his senior football commitments to ensure Yestin undertakes the appropriate steps, including counselling, to address this matter.
"The club and the AFLPA will continue to provide avenues of support to Yestin as he works through this process.
"Yestin has advised the club he will contest the charges, and it would be inappropriate for the club to comment further on the matter as it is currently before the courts."
Eades was delisted last October despite having served only the first season of his two-year contract.
He was selected at No.64 in the 2015 NAB AFL Draft.
The small forward played 15 matches in the VFL last year.