Carlton AFL club has banned players from brushing their own teeth after two of its stars were admitted to hospital. Lachie Cowan and Will Hayward recently ended up in hospital and earned nominations for The Frownlow Medal after an incident with a toothbrush.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes: the men’s and women’s National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while AFL player Noah Balta is the most recent recipient.
“Players will not brush their own teeth for 12 months,” began a statement from Carlton.
“The ban will come into effect at the beginning of next pre-season, and will ensure the safety and wellbeing of all our players as we make another attempt to win the premiership.”
Under the ban, players must call their mum to come over and brush their teeth, or call one of the club staff to complete the process. Team doctors will also lace players’ mouthguards with fluoride during games and training, and players have been given strict instructions to never brush their teeth in the shower.
The latter condition was implemented after reports that Hayward cut his head while bending over to pick up his toothbrush in the shower.
“This just proves how dangerous toothbrushing can be.”
“In addition, some players can confuse white substances. Toothpaste is usually white, and goes in your mouth, while some powder can be white, but it goes in your nose. Plus, these days toothpaste can contain charcoal and different colours and that makes it harder for players to know what they’re putting in their bodies. It’s hard to remember all of his, and remember how to run, kick, catch, jump, handball, tackle…”
Cowan, meanwhile, was admitted to hospital for other reasons, which may or may not have involved a toothbrush. There is no truth to the rumours that he fell due to the imbalance of having multiple tattoos on only one side of his body. An investigation into the incident, and an appointment with a dentist, may reveal the reason for his hospital visit.
Hayward and Cowan, meanwhile, are expected to have the whitest teeth at the awards night for The Frownlow Medal, to be held later this year at the Pullman Hotel in Melbourne.
Image: NuNa
