NORTH Melbourne's leadership group has handed youngster Kayne Turner a four-match suspension for his drink-driving charge on Sunday morning.
Turner was recorded with a blood alcohol reading of 0.133 on Sunday morning and was charged by Victoria Police.
The sanction will come into effect once he has completed his recovery from a hamstring injury, which is expected to be in about three weeks.
Taking into account the club's bye, the 20-year-old is unlikely to be available for senior selection until round 17, but he will be permitted to play in the VFL.
Turner will also be required to complete a road safety course and education program as part of his punishment.
Kangaroos director of football Geoff Walsh said Turner's error of judgment had begun to "really hit home" for the youngster.
"The actions that he decided to take over the weekend were extremely foolish and dangerous to himself and everyone," Walsh told the club's website on Monday evening.
"In consultation with our leadership group, we have decided on an appropriate penalty.
"What we'll do is wait until he is fully rehabbed before his penalty does start to apply … from that point on, he won't be available for senior selection for the next four matches – he'll play with Werribee at the time.
"As well, with our education department and our welfare department, we'll seek out an appropriate community engagement program, maybe with the TAC or road trauma victims, to again try and educate Kayne as to the folly of what he undertook."
Earlier, teammate Lindsay Thomas said Turner had let the playing group down.
"I think he would've been back in a couple of weeks," Thomas said.
"He'll just have to get the respect back from the boys and the coaching staff just by the way he trains and the way he conducts himself around the footy club."
Thomas, 28, has spent time mentoring Turner since he arrived at the club in the 2014 rookie draft.
"It's disappointing for Kayne," Thomas said.
"I've had a lot to do with Kayne over the last couple of years, obviously being a small forward."
Turner played two games earlier this season for a career total of 21.
"Everyone makes mistakes and obviously he's made one he will regret but knowing the person that Kayne is, he'll move on and he'll learn from it," Thomas said.
North Melbourne travels to Sydney to play the Swans on Friday night, looking to win its 10th consecutive game.
Daniel Wells missed the win over Carlton last Saturday night with a sore Achilles tendon. It is the same injury that restricted him to two games in 2015.
Thomas was hopeful Wells would be back for the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round clash.
"He trained (Monday) morning and did some light run-throughs," Thomas said.
Thomas was suspended for a one match after a crude tackle on Western Bulldog Lachie Hunter in round six, but the small forward says he won't change his approach.
"The tackle was an accident. It was a high tackle. We move on quickly," he said.
"I haven't changed anything from my game, that's for sure."
