Local footballer suffers gruesome injury, mammoth suspension handed down

A local footballer has suffered a gruesome injury in a heavy hit that has his opponent facing a massive penalty. See the hit here.

Montmorency co-captain Stef Uzelac is facing a mammoth suspension.

The Magpies star was handed an eight-game ban by the NFNL Tribunal on Tuesday.

Uzelac was cited after a heavy bump on Greensborough’s Ben Pannam, which knocked him out instantly.

Replays show Pannam, taking possession of the ball near the boundary and Uzelac, coming the other way, collide.

The Monty swingman doesn’t attempt to tackle him and instead hits him in the head with his shoulder.

Fellow co-captain Sam Binion also appears to push Pannam into the oncoming Uzelac.

It is understood Pannam also suffered a gruesome tongue injury as a result of the clash.

Montmorency claimed a 17-point win at Montmorency Park, remaining in fourth place on the Division 1 ladder.

Montmorency is yet to make an announcement on an appeal.

The decision was met with shock across the league given Uzelac’s otherwise near-exemplary record across eight years of senior football.

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It’s in stark contrast, South Morang’s Noah Cumberland was handed just two weeks for a off-the-ball strike – also against Greensborough.

However, it didn’t knock his opponent unconscious.

Uzelac would be eligible to return in Round 16, three weeks before finals commence.

He has played all seven matches so far this season, kicked six goals, and was named in the Magpies’ best in the weekend’s win.