Salisbury North’s Alex Stengle avoids life ban after Adelaide Footy League reduces his striking suspension to five games

A SALISBURY North footballer who cost the club a spot in the Adelaide Footy League has avoided a life ban from the competition after having his suspension reduced.

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A SALISBURY North player who cost the club a spot in the Adelaide Footy League has avoided being deregistered after having his suspension reduced.

The league’s appeals board last night decreased Alex Stengle’s ban for striking Unley Mercedes player James Khabbaz in a division two clash on June 16 from eight games to five.

That brought Stengle below the league’s 12-match suspension threshold that sparked a life ban from the competition.

He now has 11 matches against his name.

Stengle’s suspension last week prompted the league to turf out Salisbury North for the rest of 2018 because of the club’s history of bad behaviour.

Salisbury North’s Alex Stengle (right) has had his eight-week suspension reduced to five, which means he avoids a life ban from the Adelaide Footy League. Picture: Stephen Laffer.

League chief executive John Kernahan said the appeals board upheld that Stengle’s strike was “intentional” but it reduced his penalty because of his longstanding good record.

Stengle – the division one best and fairest in 2011 – had not been suspended since copping a six-match striking ban from the SANFL while playing for Central District’s reserves in 2005.

“They (appeals board) determined that the original tribunal did not factor in his player record, which was one of the grounds for the appeal,” Kernahan said.

Before the season, Salisbury North signed an agreement with the league stating the club would be expelled from the competition if a player, official, member or supporter was found guilty of an offence considered serious enough in nature.

Stengle will not be able to resume in the Adelaide Footy League this year once he serves his five-game suspension.

Kernahan said the league yesterday decided to stop Salisbury North players from transferring to teams within the competition for the remainder of 2018 after input from rival clubs.

Salisbury North’s Alex Stengle, pictured right, has avoided a life ban from the Adelaide Footy League after his suspension was reduced. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe.

Salisbury North players are allowed to join teams in other leagues and there are already 20 players who have either sought or are seeking to do so.

The Hawks can apply to rejoin the Adelaide Footy League in 2019.

“The league is in preliminary discussions with regard to Salisbury North as to how we might move forward in 2019 and how they might be affiliated,” Kernahan said.

Salisbury North president David Hood said getting Stengle’s penalty reduced was fantastic.

“It’s good for everyone,” Hood said.

“He was a very happy young man.”

Khabbaz did not for play for Unley Mercedes against St Peter’s Old Collegians last Saturday because of concussion.

Salisbury North had been fifth on the division two ladder with a 5-5 record before being suspended from the competition.