An AFL footballer's response after striking and injuring a pedestrian with his car has been praised.
Adelaide Crows defender Josh Worrell was convicted and fined $2400 after pleading guilty to an aggravated charge of driving without due care in suburban Woodville on July 10.
The victim had started walking across a pedestrian crossing on a green signal when he was struck, Adelaide magistrate Rodney Oates said on Tuesday.
“His first recollection was picking himself up from the roadway and wondering what had happened,” Mr Oates said.
CCTV of the incident, played to Adelaide Magistrates Court, was confronting to watch, Mr Oates said.
Worrell, who finished third in the Crows' best-and-fairest award in 2025 and seventh in 2026, had apologised to the man and driven him to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for treatment.
“The (victim) observed (Worrell) to be nervous, scared, and extremely remorseful for what had occurred,” Mr Oates said.
The man told Worrell he could leave, but he insisted on staying until "further support arrived".
The pedestrian suffered a two-centimetre cut to his head that required four staples, a scraped right knee and general soreness.
The magistrate noted prosecution submissions that Worrell’s driving fell short of appropriate standards, he seemed to be going too fast and should have seen the pedestrian.
"It was acknowledged, however, the defendant was very remorseful and effectively did everything right after the collision,” Mr Oates said, describing Worrell's response as "exemplary".
"The defendant did all he could to support the complainant during what must have been a highly stressful time.
“My observation is the defendant exhibited excellent, excellent character and qualities in the circumstances following the accident, which is to his credit.”
The maximum penalty for the offence is 12 months' imprisonment and a fine of $10,000, and a minimum six-month licence disqualification.
But the driving ban is not mandatory if the aggravating factor was causing harm to a person that falls short of serious harm.
Mr Oates recorded a conviction but did not impose a licence suspension.
In a statement, Worrell, 25, said he accepted full responsibility.
“Most importantly, I’m extremely sorry for the impact this incident had on the person involved," he said.
"I remain very grateful that the consequences weren’t more serious. It’s something I have reflected on a lot.
“This has been a difficult and important lesson and with the court process now complete, I’m looking forward to putting this matter behind me and making sure I learn from it.”
His club was contacted for comment.
Worrell has played 79 games for the Crows since debuting in 2021, playing four finals including their semi-final loss to eventual premiers Brisbane in 2026.
