EFNL 2021: Balwyn star’s ‘miracle’ escape following alleged coward-punch attack

A Balwyn footballer is lucky to be alive following an alleged coward-punch attack which left the star Tiger with serious injuries.

Balwyn ruckman Chevy Andersen is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines following a coward-punch attack. Picture: Stuart Milligan

An Eastern league star is expected to be out of action indefinitely following a sickening alleged one-punch attack on the weekend which left the 27-year-old seriously injured.

Balwyn Football Club’s Chevy Andersen suffered extensive facial injuries while trying to diffuse a brawl outside Richmond’s Swan Hotel in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Tigers’ No. 1 ruckman was attacked after he was set upon by the men involved as he walked away with teammates, with his head hitting the ground following the punch.

He faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines as he recovers from a broken nose in three places as well as facial fractures with one under an eye socket.

Andersen suffered serious injuries following the attack. Picture: Supplied

Wilson says it’s a miracle Andersen didn’t lose his life. Picture: Supplied

Two men were arrested not far from the scene, with a 20-year-old Mount Eliza man charged with assault and a 20-year-old Brighton man released pending further inquiries.

Balwyn president Richard Wilson said it was a miracle the incident hadn’t led to a more catastrophic outcome, pointing to the tragic death of fellow local footballer Pat Cronin, who died following a coward-punch attack in 2016.

“It’s a miracle he (Andersen) didn’t become a statistic of these coward, king-hit punches. This behaviour and the violence has to stop,” Wilson said.

Wilson has called for further community education from national, state and grassroots football bodies in helping stamp out the violence.

“The football leagues, the AFL, the VFL and the local leagues need to play a role. Hopefully people who do this are appropriately dealt with through the courts,” he said.

Wilson said Andersen would be back in hospital on Friday for surgery on the broken nose, while the remaining facial injuries would be assessed.

Among a network of family and friends, the Balwyn president said the club would do all it could to support its player, but a return to the field would not be rushed.

“From a recovery perspective, we’ll make sure he’s got all the right medical (help) around him and the concussion side of things, we’ll make sure there’s some tests done around that,” Wilson said.

“He’s got all that emotional support so I think we’ll have it covered, and work-wise, he’ll be looked after.

“He’s got to regain his confidence (before a return to footy) and there’ll be the mental element around that as well, so there’ll be no rush.

“There’s no pressure on him to do anything other than to get better.”