Tasmania Devils have strongly defended their club culture after axing VFL skipper Robbie Fox following an off-field indiscretion.
The Devils also said the decision to part ways with their inaugural captain was not based on an isolated incident.
The team confirmed yesterday that Fox would not be offered a contract for the 2027 season, citing, in part, the club's "expectations regarding player behaviour and adherence to our standards".
Yesterday, the ABC revealed Fox had been involved in an incident at a Hobart pub, the Granada Tavern, where he was ejected from the venue after becoming drunk and disorderly, and acting belligerently toward some staff.
It is also understood a bottle was thrown and smashed during the incident.
Nobody is believed to have been injured, and there was no police involvement.
The ABC can also reveal Fox had earlier played in a charity golf event at the nearby Claremont Golf Club with several Devils teammates.
Fox's foursome included vice-captain Jye Menzie and reigning best-and-fairest Hugh Dixon.
There is no suggestion those players were involved in the later incident at the Granada Tavern.
Robbie Fox (left) pictured during his tenure with the Swans. (Getty Images: AFL Photos/Michael Willson)
Chief marketing officer Kath McCann told local media today that the decision not to offer Fox a contract was, in part, the culmination of several "situations".
"I want to be really clear that there was no particular one incident that led to this decision", she said.
"There have been situations where Robbie probably had some areas for improvement and for growth, and he's dealing with the consequences of that.
"I think it's fair to say that not everybody gets everything right," she said
Fox has been contacted for comment.
Ms McCann said the Devils's culture was strong, and that their swift decision to cut on-field ties with Fox was indicative of that.
"Our club has really high standards, and we're really proud of that," she said.
"We've said from the start that our club is focused on ensuring we work with the very best people, and the highest of standards.
"It's been a part of our success to date and will continue to be in the future."
But McCann also confirmed that Fox would continue in his role as the club's Strategic Projects Lead, and defended the decision to keep him on as a club employee.
She said the club was "very comfortable" with where it had landed regarding his playing contract and that it would not divulge details around its internal processes.
"Robbie's a member of our staff, he's been an important part of our inaugural year, and he's a really great person,"
she said.
Fox played 13 games for the Devils in an injury-affected year, after being recruited back to his native Tasmania following his delisting by the Sydney Swans.
Under his captaincy, the Devils finished in the VFL top four and earned a finals double chance.