Carngham Linton and Creswick players banned after abandoned under-18s game

An ugly junior footy melee has resulted in several players being banned, leaving their club bereft of players and forced to abandon this weekend’s game.

Carngham Linton Saints have had players reported after a melee in an under-18 game saw the match abandoned. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

An under-18 country footy side will forfeit this weekend a week after it was involved in a wild melee forcing last weekend’s game to be abandoned.

Carngham Linton, which competes in the Central Highlands league, has confirmed it will not have enough players as a result of suspensions handed out from the game against Crewswick.

The clash was abandoned in the second quarter after the melee, with four players reported as a result of the incident.

One Carngham Linton player has been handed a six-game ban, as a result of two separate charges, while a teammate was given a three-week suspensions.

Another Saints player and a Creswick opponent were handed two-game bans respectively.

Carngham Linton president Greg Spratling said with his club’s trio banned, along with others missing for other reasons, the club made the decision to forfeit.

“We’ve got one in concussion protocol and three others injured (as well as those suspended) so unfortunately we can’t field a team this weekend,” he said.

“It is only due to the lack of numbers we have got. We are looking to field a team against Daylesford in two weeks’ time.”

The Saints have a bye next week for the King’s Birthday long weekend.

Spratling said the break provided the club with an opportunity to plan ahead.

The team will have a meeting on Thursday night to further discuss the incident.

“There’s some really good kids at the club that have been caught up in this that don’t deserve it (to not play),” he said.

“We want to make sure they get a game of football and we will do everything we can to get a team on the park.

“We will need the help of a few of the under-15 boys, so we’re going to work hard to make sure we play.

“It could be a week to week thing, we just got to make sure we have enough players and look after the under-15s.”

Spratling said the team would welcome back the three suspended players.

Although one might not return this year with his six week suspension potentially ruling him out for the rest of the season.

But if he plays, like the others, they will only return after consultation with them and their parents about the club values they must fulfil.

“The club has taken no further action, we were happy with the suspensions handed down,” Spratling said.

“They will need to meet the club and explain why they should be allowed to play again.”

EARLIER

An under-18 football match has been abandoned after a wild melee spiralled out of control, resulting in four players being reported.
The Carngham Linton Football Club said it was deeply remorseful for what happened on Saturday in its game against Creswick and will respond to win back the respect of the Central Highlands (CHFL) competition.

A melee broke out in the second quarter of the contest with the violence escaping the umpires control.

When it failed to clear up and the game couldn’t resume properly, the match was called off.

Creswick was leading 16-8 when it was abandoned.

The umpires were club members from both Creswick and Carngham Linton.

Three players from Carngham Linton were reported after an incident in an under-18 game. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

The CHFL said the melee was now under an investigation.

“Four players were reported from the melee with three coming from Carngham Linton and one from Crewsick,” CHFL administrator Diane Ryan said.

“In this case the umpires called the game off because they couldn’t control the game.”

“We’re going to launch an investigation.”

Ryan revealed the investigation could take up to a week.
The appointed investigator will interview not only the reported players but other witnesses put forward by both clubs.

The investigator will then put forward recommendations about possible penalties before it likely heads to a league tribunal.

Carngham Linton Saints president Greg Spratling said the club welcomed the investigation and whatever might happen to their players.

He added their actions were not in line with what the club culture is all about.

“All I can say is the club is very disappointed and very embarrassed and hurt by a couple of individuals who crossed the line,” he said.

“It’s not part of our culture and we as a club felt sick.

“At the same time we have to support the whole club and will continue to support the whole club.

“We’re very happy it is going through a process.

“We do believe we were let down by a few individuals in our under-18 group.”

Spratling revealed the under-18 side was likely to miss this weekend’s clash with Bungaree and could struggle to play out the rest of the season.

“We will probably forfeit our under-18s,” he revealed.

“Those three players, even if it does go for a period of time, make us short on numbers anyway and even if the investigation is still going on we feel those players shouldn’t be playing anyway,” he said.

“The under-18s are supposed to be training on Wednesday night so I’ll go out there and be making a confirmed decision then.

“For us it’s still raw and it doesn't take much for things to flare up again if things are said on the ground (this weekend).

“It’s probably best to have a break for the under-18 group (with a bye to follow the next week).”

Spratling said the actions of a few have ruined the good reputation built by the club.

“We did a lot of work to win some respect back to the league and our senior group, I believe, has got that especially with their performances,” he said.

“Our under-18 team might have a long way to go to get some respect back in the league.

“Our club will be doing everything we can to get that back.”

Creswick said in a statement it didn’t instigate the incident.

“The CFNC confirms one under-18 player was reported on the day and will plead guilty under provocation,” the statement said.

“The CFNC is extremely disappointed in the outcome of yesterday’s match and does not condone the actions that lead to the match being called off by both club umpires.

“The club notes that the CFNC under-18 players were not the instigators of events that led up to the abandonment of the match.”

The abandoning of an under-18 game in the CHFL is not the first time a junior team has got into trouble this season in Ballarat-based competitions.

Sebastopol in the Ballarat league is currently serving an indefinite delay in returning to play at under-17 level after several incidents involving fans and players in their clash against Redan on May 5.

The club has missed the past three matches while an investigation continues.