Carlton's dramatic and embarrassing off-season continued on Thursday when the club imposed an internal suspension for a serious breach of club standards from key defender Derksen.
Derksen has been charged with high range drink driving after being pulled over in the West Arnhem town of Jabiru, about 250km south of Darwin.
Whilst he hasn't yet received formal sanction from authorities for the incident, Carlton have already taken action as part of damage control after a spate of off-field incidents plaguing their off-season.
Derksen will miss the entire pre-season as well as the first three rounds of the home and away season, which is set to be published in mid-November.
“While we acknowledge the upcoming legal process will carry its own penalty, Wade’s conduct falls well below the standards we expect,” Carlton General Manager of Football Chris Davies said on Friday.
“Wade is fully aware how disappointed we are in what occurred.
"We will continue to support him throughout this period as he takes full responsibility for his actions.”
The 25-year-old was on leave along with the remainder of the Carlton squad when the incident occurred.
“I want to express how sorry I am for what I did,” Derksen said on Friday.
“The choice I made to get behind the wheel that day was unacceptable and is a moment I deeply regret.
"I have let a lot of people down and for that I apologise.”
The incident comes just days after Lachie Cowan copped a two-game ban for illicit drug use, having been allegedly hospitalised with drug-related seizures in the early hours of Sunday morning during a party at the South Yarra home of teammate Will Hayward.
Hayward was also allegedly taken to hospital that same night after suffering a laceration to his head from a bathroom fall, but was cleared by the club and the AFL of any drug use.