The Adelaide Crows have banned defender Tony Armstrong for the first four rounds of the 2011 AFL season after he was caught drink driving in September.

The club announced the sanctions on Tuesday and said they followed recommendations from its behaviour committee and leadership group.

As well as the four-game ban, Armstrong was also fined $5000 and must attend psychological counselling.

He will also be required to take part in a rehabilitation clinic for victims of car accidents over the next three months and participate in a program to promote indigenous health and sport for up to nine months.

Football operations general manager Phil Harper said the club had informed the AFL of the sanctions which were designed to minimise the likelihood of Armstrong re-offending.

"These penalties are particularly strong given that Tony chose to avoid contact with the club and his management in the 24 hours after the offence which put the club, AFL and his team mates in an awkward position in trying to determine what had actually happened," Harper said.

"Tony is extremely remorseful and has vowed to accept any penalty handed to him by the club and the courts.

"He also vowed to work hard to regain the trust of his teammates and other colleagues at the Adelaide Football Club."

Armstrong recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.213 when breath tested while driving home from a friend's party in September.

The reading resulted in his car being impounded for seven days and an automatic loss of his driver's licence for a year.

The 21-year-old played nine games for the Crows in 2010 after making his debut in round one against Fremantle.

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