Blake Drury, a SANFL player with the Adelaide Crows, has faced a suspension for making inappropriate sexual comments towards a female staff member associated with the state league. Although Drury is not on the AFL list, he is part of the Crows’ SANFL roster. Reports indicate that other unnamed players were also implicated in this incident.
The controversy erupted following an incident during the recording of a promotional video intended for an upcoming representative match between SANFL and WAFL players on May 17. During a break, Drury was caught on a hot mic making offensive remarks about a female colleague, a moment that was unwittingly recorded. The staff member became aware of the comments later.
In response, the SANFL took action by privately suspending both Drury and his Central District teammate, Aiden Grace, for a match. Both players were slated to represent South Australia in the upcoming fixture but were removed from the team just a day before the game. The SANFL confirmed that they conducted an internal investigation regarding the matter and that it had been addressed appropriately.
Following this incident, both Drury and Grace extended written apologies to the affected staff member and participated in respectful relationships education as part of their suspension.
Drury, at 21 years old, has had a mixed career thus far. He spent two years with North Melbourne’s AFL team and played ten senior games across the 2023 and 2024 seasons before being delisted. He subsequently joined the Adelaide Crows’ SANFL team for the current season. Recently, Drury nominated for the AFL’s mid-season rookie draft but went without a club selection.
This incident arises amidst a troubling period for the Adelaide Crows, as it follows a previous case where another player was involved in capturing and sharing a photo of a woman without her consent, which was also investigated by the AFL Integrity Unit. The recent events have ignited discussions about player conduct and the need for a respectful and safe environment for all individuals associated with the sport.