Charlie Curnow says he is ashamed at being arrested by police just days before being selected in the AFL national draft.

Curnow was arrested last Friday night in Geelong for being drunk in a public place and refusing a breath test.

The 18-year-old was selected by Carlton with pick 12 in Tuesday’s national draft.

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“I made a terrible mistake and it’s something I deeply regret and it’s something that I am going to have to deal with,” Curnow said.

“It’s my own fault and something I’m disappointed in myself with.

“I have let a lot of people down and I’m just lucky enough that Carlton had the faith to pick me up.”

Curnow, the younger brother of Blues utility Ed Curnow, said the incident had been a “massive wake-up call”.

“It’s a terrible decision that I have done … I have let a lot of people down and I’m pretty ashamed of that,” he said.

Carlton coach Brendon Bolton said he had “no doubt at all” about drafting Curnow despite the incident.

“I have known the family for a long time and coached Ed back in Box Hill days,” Bolton said.

“They’re a terrific family and Charlie is a terrific person who has made a mistake.

“We want him to just get into the footy club, roll his sleeves up and work really hard.

“He’s not a bad person who has made a bad mistake.”