Salisbury North Football Club docked eight premiership points in all senior grades after latest ban

THREE senior teams at a northern Adelaide football club have each been penalised eight premiership points after a player’s 10-game ban triggered a suspended sentence for the club’s past offences.

SALISBURY North Football Club’s three senior teams have been penalised eight premiership points each after a player’s 10-game ban triggered a suspended sentence for the club’s past offences.

The SA amateur league last week suspended Hawks player Adam Watson for striking (eight games) and misconduct (two) during the club’s C2 clash against Plympton at Salisbury North Oval on July 18.

League chief executive John Kernahan said the association this week docked premiership points from Salisbury North and fined it $4000 because it was already on notice for incidents of poor behaviour.

The league imposed strict ​conditions on the club, including suspending the loss of future premiership points, after several Salisbury North players earned themselves bans totalling 35 matches in 2013, including 23 games from the division one grand final replay.

One player received a league life ban for suspensions totalling 15 games.

League life bans kick in when a player reaches the 12-match suspension threshold.

Last year Salisbury North received a $2000 fine after an official and trainer were found guilty of umpire abuse.

“The league believes it has been more than accommodating in trying to work with the Salisbury North Football Club to address the league’s concerns,” Kernahan said.

“Watson being reported and subsequently found guilty for striking was enough for the league to initiate the suspended penalties.”

An investigation into Watson abusing and intimidating an umpire after the match is still pending.

Salisbury North will have a further two premiership points docked per game suspended should any of its players be banned between now and the end of 2018.

The league has also told the Hawks it would consider moving future home games to Thebarton Oval pending further poor behaviour from players, officials or supporters.

“The ball is well and truly in Salisbury North’s half of the court as to how secure their future is within this league,” Kernahan said.

Salisbury North has since withdrawn its C2 team from the competition.

The loss of eight premiership points has dropped the Hawks’ division one side from finals contention (sixth on 12 points) to battling relegation (eighth on four points).

Salisbury North can appeal to the league’s general committee and then to the SA Community Football League.

Hawks football director Colin Potticary said the club was disappointed in the decision and was considering its position.