Glenelg’s Tim Sumner unable to play in Adelaide Footy League after one-game suspension in the SANFL reserves

Former Gold Coast Sun Tim Sumner will no longer be able to play in the Adelaide Footy League after exceeding its 12-game suspension threshold – lining up for Glenelg’s reserves.

Tim Sumner playing for Woodville South last year. Picture: AAP/Morgan Sette

Former Gold Coast Sun Tim Sumner will no longer be able to play in the Adelaide Footy League after exceeding its suspension threshold – lining up for Glenelg’s reserves.

Sumner, who made 17 appearances for the Suns from 2013-14 and played for Woodville South the past two seasons, this week received a one-match ban for striking against Sturt on April 19, taking his career total to 12 games suspended.

The Adelaide Footy League deregisters players – or stops them from joining the competition – once they have been suspended for 12 games during their careers.

Sumner, 24, can continue playing in the SANFL and many other suburban and country leagues, which have a 16-game suspension threshold.

Tim Sumner was suspended for three matches for striking in this 2016 SANFL game between Glenelg and the Crows. Picture: Tom Huntley

The 187cm forward has been banned six times since 2012 – five for striking and one for headbutting.

Woodville South football director Peter Johnson hoped Sumner had a long career at Glenelg but said his club would consider challenging his deregistration to the SA Community Football League if he wanted to return because 11 of the 12 games suspended were in the SANFL.

“We’ll cross that bridge if we have to,” Johnson said.

“He’s still a kid.”

Sumner joined the Suns from Woodville-West Torrens via pick 55 at the 2012 national draft and made his AFL debut against Geelong in round one the following year.

In 2015, he returned to Adelaide citing homesickness and was released from his Gold Coast contract, then joined Glenelg the next year.

Tim Sumner playing for Gold Coast against St Kilda in 2014. Picture: Jerad Williams

Sumner kicked the second-most goals in division five last year with 86 as Woodville South reached a grand final and he booted 45 for the Cats in 2017.

Adelaide Footy League chief executive John Kernahan said his competition’s regulations were unambiguous.

“Twelve matches is the threshold and our clubs have been very clear that they have no appetite in raising the number of matches to the national level of 16 matches,” Kernahan said.

“So clear, that they recently endorsed a regulation that no player can seek re-affiliation for a period of three years following being deregistered as per the national deregistration policy.”

Sumner has not responded for comment.