EDFL: Ferras Mehri handed seven-game ban for punching Lynden Dunn

The Westmeadows ruckman who left former AFL defender Lynden Dunn with a broken jaw has spoken on his ban saying he had retaliated in the “heat of the moment”.

A local footballer suspended for seven weeks after breaking the jaw of ex-AFL defender has spoken for the first time since the incident.

Westmeadows ruckman Ferras Mehri will miss the remainder of the Essendon District league home and away season after striking Lynden Dunn, who now plays for West Coburg, during the second quarter of a Division 1 game on Saturday.

Former Melbourne and Collingwood defender Dunn faces surgery later this week after being punched by Mehri.

Merhi will be eligible to play in the finals series if Westmeadows finishes in the top four.

Footage seen by Leader shows Dunn hunched over on his hands and knees after being struck by Mehri.

He had kicked a goal seconds earlier.

On Wednesday, Mehri contacted Leader to provide his version of events.

Mehri said after pleading guilty at the tribunal to his charge, his defence was that he was “retalitating” and that it wasn’t an unprovoked incident.

“(I) didn’t go Lynden, he ran to me and then contact was made to my face and I retaliated,” Mehri said.

“I shouldn’t have done it.”

“In the heat of the moment after I felt contact to my jaw, I reacted with a jab which terribly unfortunately hit him in the jaw.”

A melee broke out after the incident while four West Coburg players surrounded Dunn, concerned for his welfare.

Lynden Dunn kicks a goal during match between the Crows and Magpies in 2020. Picture: Getty Images

Dunn, who retired from the AFL in 2020 after 198 games, had just kicked his only major for the day before going to celebrate with teammates who had put the ball into the goalsquare from near the boundary.

Mehri was immediately red carded by the umpire closest to the incident and was sent off for the remainder of the game.

The Westmeadows big man can also be seen in a verbal altercation with other West Coburg players as he attempted to leave the ground before his team’s runner pulled him away.

The female umpire can also be seen directing Fehri to remove himself from the playing area.

In the footage, groans can be heard from supporters who had witnessed the clash while Dunn can be seen heading towards his side’s bench with a club official in the background.

It’s understood, Dunn was immediately taken to hospital and will undergo surgery later this week.

His family members are said to have been left shaken by the incident.

Ferras Merhi was red carded for the punch which left Dunn with a broken jaw.

Dunn is the second former AFL player to have suffered serious injuries at local level in recent weeks after Ryan Bastinac required six stitches following after he was headbutted in the Mornington Peninsula league.

The former Kangaroo and Brisbane Lion slammed the incident as a “coward’s act”.

“Coward hits in local footy are not on in this day and age,” Bastinac posted on Twitter alongside images of his injury.

“The footy field isn’t free reign to go out and assault people. Put some gloves on and try yourself the right way if that’s what you want to do. But we know that never happens.

“People shouldn’t play the game they love and enjoy and have to worry they are going to get assaulted.”