Adelaide Footy League investigates alleged threats made by runner during senior women’s clash

A local SA footy league is investigating alleged violent threats made by a runner towards opposition players during a senior women’s game last weekend.

The Adelaide Footy League has opened an investigation into alleged violent threats made by a runner for a southern suburbs club towards opposition players during a senior women’s game last weekend.

While the league would not confirm the specifics of the allegations, this masthead understands the alleged comments made by the runner were “I’ll get her after the game” and “I’ll pay $50 to f*** her up.”

Players were reportedly left feeling intimidated by the threats and the league was notified of the incident following the conclusion of the game.

AdFL chief John Kernahan said the allegations were of significant seriousness and could not put a timeline on the league’s investigation.

The Adelaide Footy League is investigating alleged violent threats aimed at opposition senior women’s players by a runner on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/Joe Castro

“The circumstances around the allegations don’t allow the league any forgiveness at all and there is no chance we will allow any opportunity for anyone to suggest we have abrogated our responsibility,” Kernahan said.

“We’re not going to rush anything. The allegations are such that out of an abundance of caution for all, every party needs every opportunity to offer their position, accepting there are always two sides to a story.”

The AdFL has made a major effort to crack down on unsavoury incidents on and off the field during match days and adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to threats and dangerous remarks made during games.

The league has continued to remind clubs of the behaviour that is expected each season and Kernahan said the weekend’s incident would serve as another reminder for the competition early in the 2025 campaign.

AdFL chief John Kernahan said the league was “alarmed” by the alleged comments. Picture: Emma Brasier

“While we are alarmed by the allegations and hoping for some relativity, we also take great comfort that these types (of incidents) are few and far between for an organisation that facilitates a competition with circa 3,000 matches a season, 12,000 players and 70 clubs and dissecting all that comes with that.

“At the same time, we have recently reminded clubs that we have little tolerance for officials and players confusing the competitive juices that flow on a Saturday afternoon and unfortunately in the last couple of years we have had cause to remind all on the back of some relatively minor interactions.”

Kernahan said the involved clubs “couldn’t have been more cooperative with the league” during the investigation process so far.

It is understood the runner involved could face a major ban at the end of the investigation if found guilty of making the alleged threats.