SANFL introduces new laws to fight local footy violence
AN alleged punch that left a player unconscious and led to police action has prompted the SANFL to introduce measures to stamp out on-field violence.
AN ALLEGED punch that left a player unconscious and led to police action has prompted the SANFL to introduce measures to stamp out on-field violence.
In August, the Southern Football League tribunal banned Hackham player Cameron Spencer-Long for three matches for allegedly striking Edwardstown captain Colby Blyth in an A grade game at Hackham Oval.
The tribunal suspended Spencer-Long’s teammate Jarrad Daish for four weeks after he was found guilty of kicking Blyth during the same match.
Edwardstown and Blyth, who missed the rest of the season with concussion, were unable to appeal the penalties.
The incident prompted the SA Community Football League, which oversees all community and country leagues in SA, to this month adopt a series of tough regulations for next season.
Among them are giving all clubs and players the power to appeal penalties they believe are too lenient.
Previously, clubs could only appeal tribunal decisions they deemed too harsh.
Community football manager Matt Duldig said the Blyth case triggered the changes.
“Wherever possible, it should be the individual leagues that are empowered to deal with on-field issues, but with this move we’re saying ‘we’re right behind you, and ready to act if required’,” Duldig said.
“We will not tolerate violence and we will offer whatever support we can to ensure the punishment fits the crime.”
An independent investigations committee would review any appeals.
If the committee believed cases needed to be investigated further, they would likely head to the SANFL tribunal.
Other new measures include empowering leagues to investigate incidents further before decisions are made, and educating leagues to help them better deal with serious cases.
“This move is about tackling serious violence of any kind and ensuring the message gets through — that it won’t be tolerated and there will be significant penalties,” Duldig said.
“We’ll be educating tribunals that if someone is found guilty of a coward’s punch, penalties should start at the very high end, around 10 or 12 matches.”
In August, police charged Spencer-Long, of South Brighton, with two counts of assault.
He has been remanded in custody to appear in the Christies Beach Magistrates Court on November 17.
Duldig said SA’s tribunals did a great job but were set up to apply “football penalties to football incidents”.
He said Blyth’s was not an isolated case but there was not an epidemic of violence in community football.
I STILL GET HEADACHES FROM THAT CLASH
EDWARDSTOWN footballer Colby Blyth still gets headaches from the clash that left him concussed at the end of last season.
Blyth, 29, has also battled mental demons and considers himself lucky after researching other people’s head injuries.
At one point, the Towns captain hardly left his home for two weeks because he did not want to see anyone.
“The headaches will come on maybe once a day,” Blyth says.
“I’d never had them like this before this incident.”
But Blyth’s biggest frustration has been that neither he or Edwardstown could appeal the bans the Southern Football League handed down to Hackham players Cameron Spencer-Long and Jarrad Daish.
Blyth missed the last five matches of the season — three minor rounds and two finals — with concussion, which was more than both their bans.
“It was really upsetting knowing it wasn’t because of form or an injury I’d done myself.”
Blyth’s case has prompted officials to introduce tough new regulations, including giving all clubs and players the power to appeal penalties they believe are too lenient.
“For some good to come of it, is good,” Blyth said.
“That is what I wanted — I wanted that change.
“I don’t want someone else running into this sort of thing because footy’s meant to be just having a bit of fun with your mates.”
Blyth, of Morphett Vale, plans to return to the field with Edwardstown next season.