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Police investigating Adelaide footy player’s shocking on-field punch

Police are investigating a player in Adelaide’s local football league who was deregistered for punching a volunteer runner.

Central United tribunal incident

A local Aussie rules footballer playing in the Adelaide Football League is facing potential criminal charges for an act that saw him suspended for 10 matches and deregistered from the competition.

The Advertiser reports Central United player Nick Kershaw struck a runner for the opposing Adelaide Lutheran side during the first quarter of their game at Adelaide’s south parklands on Saturday.

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Kershaw was given a 10-match ban by the league’s match review panel.

In a video capturing the brutal hit, Kershaw can be seen tussling with an opposition player, while the runner approaches the pair to calmly diffuse the situation.

Kershaw then allegedly punches the runner, sending him crashing to the turf. Play is stopped, with players from both teams calling for assistance.

Central United’s Nick Kershaw copped a lengthy ban for this punch on the opposition's runner.
Central United’s Nick Kershaw copped a lengthy ban for this punch on the opposition's runner.

South Australia Police confirmed they are investigating the incident to determine whether charges will be laid.

“(It’s) completely unacceptable. I take a very dim view of people who use competitive sport as a reason to become violent whether they are players involved in that sort of behaviour or spectators and officials as well. There’s no room for it in amateur sport,” SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens told Nine.

In a statement, the Adelaide Football League explained the harsh punishment was due to the fact “an incident between a player and an official has a higher weighting to penalty”.

Central United president Nathan Fenwick apologised for the incident, adding the club committee met the day after the game and decided to immediately deregister Kershaw for three years.

“The player has also sincerely apologised to the Adelaide Lutheran Football Club and the Adelaide Football League and is deeply remorseful for his uncharacteristic behaviour,” Fenwick said.

“On behalf of the Central United Football Club we apologise to the runner, players, officials and supporters of the ALFC for the incident.

“Lastly, we would like to thank the Adelaide Footy League for their professional response in handling this matter.”

Kershaw sent the runner crashing to the turf.
Kershaw sent the runner crashing to the turf.

Originally published as Police investigating Adelaide footy player’s shocking on-field punch

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/afl/local-adelaide-footy-player-facing-criminal-charges-for-onfield-punch/news-story/df57cec5b06c25909b9f71b3ffe5f662