Didak, Shaw suspended by Magpies

COLLINGWOOD'S chances of making the finals this season are in the balance, as are the careers of Alan Didak and Heath Shaw after the club suspended both players for the remainder of the season on Tuesday.

The suspension, which includes finals should the Magpies make the final eight, comes in light of revelations the pair lied to club officials about Sunday night's accident in which Shaw crashed his utility into two parked cars.

He returned a 0.14 blood alcohol reading when breath-tested by police at the scene.

And Rhyce Shaw, brother of Heath, has also been fined and suspended for two matches after drinking on the weekend – his punishment a result of the fact that he was injured for the club's loss to Hawthorn on Friday night.

Heath Shaw’s $10,000 fine remains while Didak has also been fined $5000.

A statement released by Collingwood on Tuesday afternoon read:

"The Collingwood Football Club has suspended both Heath Shaw and Alan Didak for the rest of the 2008 season as a result of the fact they lied to the club about a drink-driving incident that occurred on Sunday night.

"These suspensions both include the home-and-away portion of the season and potential finals matches.

"As a repeat offender, Alan has been fined $5000 while the original fine to Heath of $10,000 remains.

"As part of the club’s further investigations, it was established that Rhyce Shaw, while injured, was drinking over that weekend, and as a result he has been suspended for two matches and fined $5000.

"All three players will continue to train with the team..."

Collingwood will now go into Saturday night's must-win clash with St Kilda without three of its most important players.

AFL Chief Executive Officer Andrew Demetriou said clubs had sought to take a primary role and responsibility in dealing with matters relating to inappropriate off field behaviour by players, coaches, board members and senior administrators.

 "The vast majority of players do the right thing and clubs and their player leadership groups are taking responsibility for the individual actions of players and - where required - taking action to address incidents where players transgress the law or the club's agreed player rules," Mr Demetriou said.

Read Collingwood's full statement