STAR Carlton forward Brendan Fevola says he feels he owes the Blues a big performance in the AFL season-opener against Richmond at the MCG.
The Blues opted not to suspend Fevola for urinating outside a nightclub on a night out last weekend, instead fining him $10,000, and dumping him from the leadership group.
He has also been ordered to undergo counselling and has been threatened him with the sack from the Blues if he was ever again involved in an alcohol-related controversy.
The 2006 Coleman Medallist said he was happy to be playing and felt he needed to repay the club for allowing him to take the field.
"Yeah I do, so hopefully I can go out and get a kick and we can have a good win for the team, so I'm really looking forward to Thursday," Fevola told the Nine Network's AFL Footy Show on Thursday night.
The five-time Carlton leading goalkicker, who has a long history of alcohol-related offences, also said he had quit drinking.
"I'm off it, hopefully I can have a ripper year and stay out of trouble," he said.
Carlton coach Brett Ratten was confident Fevola could put his latest indiscretion behind him to play a big part against the Tigers, admitting on Wednesday he was "rapt" to have his full-forward playing.
"He's a professional player, and I have full confidence in Brendan and his performance," Ratten said.
