Colac recruit Jack Skinner receives six-week suspension at tribunal for off-the-ball hit on Bell Park player Thomas Pearson

A Geelong Falcons graduate and VFL listed player has been hit with a big sanction for an incident that left a Bell Park player concussed.

Thomas Pearson is tended to by medical staff as Jack Skinner (right) is wrestled by Bell Park players.

Colac recruit Jack Skinner has been slapped with a six-week suspension for an ugly off-the-ball striking incident on a Bell Park youngster.

In his first game as a Tiger after crossing from the Colac Imperials, 18-year-old Skinner hit Dragons player Thomas Pearson off the ball and he was stretchered off the ground with concussion in the second quarter of Colac’s round one win.

It is understood Pearson was knocked out before he hit the ground and was unconscious for several minutes before being taken to hospital.

Skinner pleaded not guilty but will be sidelined for the Tigers’ next six games after being found guilty of striking by the AFL Barwon tribunal on Wednesday night, who ruled the hit was intentional conduct, high contact and severe impact.

It means the Geelong Falcons graduate and Port Melbourne VFL player will be unable to take the field in the Geelong league until round nine due to Colac’s round four bye.

Bell Park and Colac players wrestle after the incident.

A brawl erupted between Colac and Bell Park.

Skinner surprisingly played in the Tigers’ round two win over North Shore, but it is understood the delay was because of Bell Park as the club gathered evidence – which included medical records.

The incident isn’t shown on the official match vision but a Bell Park player is awarded a downfield free kick after a whistle is blown.

The camera then pans to Pearson on the ground in the centre square being attended to by a Bell Park trainer as Skinner is jumper punched by Dragons players.

An all-in brawl erupted between the two sides as Bell Park was awarded a 50 metre penalty that resulted in a goal to Dragons player Lucas Stefanovski.

Bell Park declined to comment on the incident publicly and Colac was contacted for comment.

Originally published as Colac recruit Jack Skinner receives six-week suspension at tribunal for off-the-ball hit on Bell Park player Thomas Pearson