Young Rosewater footballer ruled out for 22 games after pleading guilty to kicking Seaton player during grand final

THE SANFL juniors tribunal suspended a Rosewater Football Club under 16 player for 22 games after he pleaded guilty to kicking an opponent.

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THE SANFL juniors tribunal suspended a Rosewater Football Club Under 16 player on Tuesday night for 22 games after he pleaded guilty to kicking an opponent.

The boy admitted kicking a 15-year-old Seaton player and misconduct during a melee late in the Metro West Junior Football League under 16 grand final on September 18.

The sanction means the player is deregistration under the AFL’s National Deregistration Policy, which enforces automatic deregistration when a player has accumulated suspensions totalling 16 games or more.

The player can apply for re-registration after serving the suspension, SANFL Game Development Manager Ben Hopkins said.

“We have said from the outset that our primary focus is for the welfare of all who participate in SANFL juniors,’’ he said.

Officials will offer support to the suspended player and his family as he comes to terms with the consequences of his actions, Mr Hopkins said.

“We have also been in constant contact with the family of the Seaton player involved in the incident and will continue to provide support wherever we can,” he said.

The SANFL requested the media respect the privacy of those involved because they were minors.