Angwin: Drug use the result of injury frustration?

[Danny]

Young Carlton player Laurence Angwin has tested positive to an elicit drug and has been dumped by the Carlton football club. This young player has been out with a shoulder dislocation for the start of the season and this raises the issue of the mental effects of injury. The inability to contribute to the team on the field surely has a distressing effect on such a young player hoping to have a bright future in the game. Angwin has stated that the club thought he lacked the discipline to become an elite footballer (herald sun 8/4/2004). My question to the Carlton Football club would be, what kind of support do you supply to your injured players? Do you sit them down and set new goals for rehabilitation? Do you keep them involved in the team environment as much as possible? Do you provide an environment in which an injured player can be fully focused and motivated?

The Angwin story to me seems to be that of a young talent, injured, lacking the direction and support to become the disciplined player required at the elite level.

[injuryupdate]

Whilst football clubs can do more, it seems that some players are almost unable to be helped:

This article from Jon Ralph of Sunday Herald-Sun:
SACKED Blue Laurence Angwin is believed to have taken an ecstasy tablet an hour before arriving at a compulsory player recovery session on Monday.



Big night out: Carlton players believe Laurence Angwin and former housemate Karl Norman had an all-night drug bender.



Carlton players believe Angwin and former housemate Karl Norman, who admitted his guilt and escaped dismissal by the club, had an all-night drug bender.

Players say the two took 15 tablets between them without sleeping.

Carlton's player leadership group was told on Monday Angwin was to return to the senior list and play against the Kangaroos yesterday.

Furious at his quick elevation and alleged preferential treatment, the group revealed Angwin's condition to coach Denis Pagan.

Angwin dared the coaching staff to drug test him, expecting a backdown.

When toxicology reports came back positive for ecstasy, the club started the procedure to sack him.

It also was revealed this week that Adelaide recruiting staff were reluctant to draft Angwin in 2000, but were overruled by coach Gary Ayres and assistant Peter Curran.

Angwin, grandson of former Hawks playing legend Andy Angwin, was rated the equal of any talent in that draft.

Ayres and Curran, former Hawthorn players, believed the grandfather connection was sufficient promise of Angwin's pedigree.

Angwin did not play a game with Adelaide and the club sought to have him earmarked as unfit for football and be rewarded with a compensation draft pick.

Angwin, convicted of at least three burglary offences, also allegedly stole money from friend and fellow Crow Michael Handby in 2001. He was booted out of the house at which they boarded.

At one stage while at Adelaide, team staff say Angwin claimed he needed to visit a sick relative, but that he was seen at a Bendigo nightclub at 4am.

Hawthorn recruiter and former player Gary Buckenara said Angwin clearly had some problems that needed support, not ostracism.

"Rather than thinking poorly of a guy, the system should be looking to help a guy like that who is probably crying out for help," he said.

"It has to be something deeper and we should be helping as much as we can."

Angwin's future as a player is limited, with his AFL career over and VFL clubs almost certain to avoid him.

Australian Drug Foundation spokesman Geoff Monro said ecstasy had been linked to seizures and occasionally heart attacks and death.

"Because many of these drugs are new, the long-term effects aren't well known. But some of the short-term ones are nausea, hallucinations, confusion and anxiety," he said.