Eastern Park player Michael Friel cops seven-week suspension from Adelaide Footy League for headbutting

A NORTHERN suburbs footballer has cost his club seven premiership points after receiving a seven-week suspension for headbutting. And it is not over yet with another headbutting charge still to be heard.

• Club will be docked premiership points if player banned
• Eastern Park kicks out player after alleged headbutt
• Adelaide Footy League player receives eight weeks for striking after being caught on video

A NORTHERN suburbs footballer has cost his club seven premiership points after receiving a seven-week suspension for headbutting.

Last night the Adelaide Footy League tribunal found Eastern Park player Michael Friel guilty of headbutting during the Demons’ division four match against Kilburn on May 5.

The club was already on notice with the league for previous incidents of bad behaviour and faced losing one premiership point for every week any of its players get suspended.

Friel will front the tribunal again next week over a second alleged headbutting incident from the same game, which has been deferred for a second time while the league investigates.

Former Eastern Park footballer Michael Friel pictured on Saturday, May 5. Picture: Mathew Long/LongTime Photography

Kilburn footballer Chad Parks runs from the field under the blood rule on Saturday, May 5. Picture: Mathew Long/LongTime Photography

Eastern Park last week turfed Friel out of the club following the match against Kilburn because he broke rules it imposed in 2014.

The Demons, who were fifth on the ladder with three wins, three losses and six premiership points, will now be bottom on negative one point.

Eastern Park football director Craig Wilson said the club was disappointed the matter was not finalised on Wednesday night but would not comment on the guilty verdict or the ongoing investigation.

Last week Wilson told the Northern Weekly the club had “zero tolerance towards this kind of behaviour”.

“Because he received a red card, he has been deregistered from playing and asked to leave the football club, regardless of what the tribunal decides,” Wilson said.

Gepps Cross and Eastern Park players clash during a division four match last season. Picture: AAP/James Elsby.

Eastern Park’s division four reserves and C4 sides will also lose seven points.

Friel was contacted for comment through the club.

League chief executive John Kernahan declined to comment on the case until after the second headbutting incident was resolved.

Kilburn also would not comment.

The Demons are the second club this month to lose premiership points.

Earlier this month, the league stripped division six team West Croydon of three points after Hawks player Joseph Bull received a three-week ban for umpire abuse.