Junior grand final called off after Rosewater player allegedly kicked Seaton player in the head

ROSEWATER is back in the spotlight after one of its junior players allegedly kicked a Seaton player in the head during the under-16s grand final on Sunday, with police called and the game cut short.

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POLICE were called to a junior football grand final at Woodville Oval on Sunday after a player was allegedly kicked in the head during the U16 clash between Rosewater and Seaton.

Umpires called off the game with five minutes to go until the final siren after a Rosewater player allegedly kicked a 15-year-old Seaton player during a scuffle in the northwest pocket of the ground.

The Seaton player was taken by ambulance to the Royal Adelaide Hospital with head injuries.

His condition is not believed to be life-threatening.

The SANFL is investigating the incident and will review video footage of the incident.

It comes after Rosewater Football Club’s senior teams were deregistered from the SA Amateur Football League in July after a series of incidents and abuse directed at umpires.

The senior club’s long-time captain Adam Rumbelow pleaded guilty at a tribunal hearing to attacking central umpire Craig Trewartha. He received a record 20-year ban.

It is believed umpires reported the Rosewater player.

Police were called to the oval on Sunday but are yet to decide if they will take any further action.

A police spokesman said they would remain in contact with the league over the incident.

Officers remained at the oval after the game to monitor crowd behaviour.

Rosewater Junior Football Club president Roslyn Coles declined to comment when contacted by The Advertiser.

Seaton Football Club secretary Terry Annett said the club was leaving it to authorities to handle the incident.

“It’s a disappointing way for the game to finish. And it’s a disappointing incident,” he said.

“We just want to move on.”

An SANFL spokesman said officials decided to abandon the game “in the interest of player welfare and the game was awarded to Seaton”.

The final score was Seaton 12, 5 (77) to Rosewater 6, 10 (46).

“Our primary concern is for player welfare and we have been in contact with the family of the player who was injured in the alleged incident,” the spokesman said.

“We will review the incident as per our normal procedures and will liaise with SAPOL as to any further actions.”