Former VFL player Darby Henderson’s career in doubt after concussion suffered from bump in heated Geelong league clash

Medically retiring from the VFL earlier this year, Darby Henderson has suffered another concussion after a local footy incident. And his coach claims he was unfairly targeted by the opposition.

Darby Henderson's career is in doubt after a local footy concussion.

Former VFL player Darby Henderson’s playing future is in doubt after he suffered another concussion blow in a heated Geelong league clash on Saturday, as Lara’s coach — Darby’s father Brett Henderson — claimed he was unfairly targeted.

Henderson, who medically retired from VFL club Williamstown earlier this season to concussion issues after 53 games for the Seagulls, went down twice in the first 10 minutes of Lara’s 151-point loss to St Albans.

The helmeted midfielder was sandwiched in a tackle involving Brock McDonald at the first centre bounce and stayed down on the ground before jogging to the bench.

WATCH THE INCIDENT HERE FROM 8:30MIN MARK OF 1ST QTR

Darby Henderson is tackled by two St Albans players, including Brock McDonald (No. 6) in at the first centre bounce.

Darby Henderson remains on the deck after the tackle at the first centre bounce.

The 26-year-old returned to the field and gathered several more possessions before he handballed off to a teammate on the wing and was bumped by St Albans player Bailey Coutts in the ninth minute mark of the first term.

Henderson remained on the ground and 20 seconds later the play stops at a ball-up.

The umpire motions back to Henderson’s area after the Lara ball-magnet allegedly struck McDonald and a free kick is given to McDonald.

Match vision shows Henderson, McDonald and players from both sides jumper punching on the ground.

Bailey Coutts' bump on Darby Henderson after he disposed of the ball.

Darby Henderson (No. 3, right) after the bump from Bailey Coutts.

Henderson appeared groggy after getting up and jogged off the ground with a trainer by his side after he was ruled out with concussion.

Coutts was not reported by the umpires for the incident.

Henderson will miss at least two matches under the community football concussion protocols but Lara coach Brett Henderson – the father of Darby – fears this latest head knock could end his son’s career.

The Bendigo Pioneers product has dominated in his first season for Lara despite their on-field struggles, regularly racking up monster disposal tallies.

Darby is understood to be devastated after his latest concussion incident.

Brett claimed Darby was targeted by St Albans and believes Coutts should receive a four-match suspension.

Brett voiced his frustrations to St Albans coach Rick Munn, who had coached Darby at Grovedale previously, after Munn asked Brett how Darby was feeling post-match.

St Albans coach Ricky Munn and Lara coach Brett Henderson speak about the incident post-game. Picture: Mark Wilson

“If this was (Lara players) Sam Purdy or Aaron Stone, I would feel the exact same way. It is difficult to see any player on the ground and it is more difficult when it is your own son,” Brett told this masthead.

“His jaw is sore, his head is throbbing. He has been concussed, he has probably been the best player in the competition.

“I do not understand why you would target a player off the ball.

“I lose my best player, we have one player left on the bench at quarter time.

“I don’t know if he will play footy again, that’s how serious this is. There is risks involved in football, and if you get hit accidentally – accidentally by knee, in a marking contest, you wear that. But that was a late bump and it was a deliberate bump.

“I’ve lost my best player for four weeks and I might have lost my best player forever, I don’t know.

“If we’re going to be fair dinkum, it’s a four week suspension.”

St Albans’ Fletcher Keck is tackled by Ryan Bell. Picture: Mark Wilson

Picture: Mark Wilson

St Albans football manager Sam Wolfenden strongly disputed the Lara coach’s claims, saying that any accusation that the Supersaints targeted Henderson would be “inflammatory”.

Nullifying Henderson’s impact was spoken about in the lead-up by St Albans but the club said there was no directive to physically target the Lara star.

“It’s no secret that quality players attract attention, and Henderson is certainly one of those — his performance and consistency make him a key focus for any opposition. He was not specifically targeted although we acknowledge the game was played with significant physical intensity by both teams,” Wolfenden said in a statement.

“As far as we’re concerned, any incident that may have involved Henderson or for that matter in other player on both sides, falls within what we would consider normal football incidents, noting the game was played with a high level of physical intensity.

“Importantly, the match umpires did not deem any actions worthy of free kicks or penalties that would indicate nothing untoward occurred. To suggest anything else would be inflammatory and not true.

“We hope he is okay, he is a great player and the GFL is a better comp for having players like him in it.”

Tom Higgins took issue with Lara fans. Picture: Mark Wilson

Tom Higgins’ goal celebrations to the Lara supporters after he was verbally abused. Picture: Mark Wilson

Picture: Mark Wilson

It is understood Coutts, McDonald and Fletcher Keck – named as St Albans’ best player – were targeted by Lara players after quarter time.

Supersaints spearhead Tom Higgins, who booted seven goals, also copped derogatory verbal abuse from Lara fans over the fence during the match.

He responded with a gunshot celebration in their direction after kicking one of his goals.

Originally published as Former VFL player Darby Henderson’s career in doubt after concussion suffered from bump in heated Geelong league clash