St Albans coach Perry Meka out of hospital after post-match clash with rival supporters

A local football coach who once kicked 173 goals in a season was back calling the shots at the weekend after a heated post-match war of words with rival fans in a Hoppers Crossing carpark turned ugly. WATCH THE VIDEO

The country football icon who sustained serious injuries in a carpark incident following a suburban match was back on the sidelines on Saturday as he coached his team to victory.

St Albans boss Perry Meka was released from hospital after being allegedly struck to the head during a confrontation with rival supporters last weekend.

Some uncertainty had surrounded whether he would lead the Saints seven days after the incident, but he was calling the shots at Kings Park as his side defeated Caroline Springs by 22 points in the Western Region Football League.

“Big thank you to everyone for all the well wishes all week. I really appreciate it,” Meka said in a message to supporters after the win.

“I’m fine. It’s all forgotten and we’ll worry about it later on.”

A 54-year-old man was arrested in relation to the incident but has since been released pending further enquiries.

Perry Meka flies for a mark during his playing days at Ardmona.

Video showed Meka and St Albans president James Perkin engaged in a heated war of words with a group of people shortly after a loss to Hoppers Crossing on July 6.

The incident at Hogans Rd Reserve is being investigated by the Wyndham crime investigation unit.

Meka, 53, is a decorated figure in country football and played for Shepparton Swans (formerly Lemnos), Tatura, Ardmona, Numurkah, Tongala and Wunghu.

He also coached the Swans, Numurkah, Tongala and Ardmona, steering the latter to a flag in 2002.

Meka’s exploits as a player inside the attacking 50 are well known — he booted an incredible 173 goals for Ardmona in 1992 and topped the 100-goal mark in a season 15 times.

He made about 500 appearances and booted more than 2500 goals in a career lasting over 20 years.

St Albans coach Perry Meka was taken to hospital with head injuries after the incident. Picture Mike Batterham

In recent seasons he has been a development coach with Northern Blues in the VFL and coach and football operations manager with Labrador in the QAFL.

Meka is in his first season at St Albans, lifting the club to fifth position on the Division 1 ladder.

Hoppers Crossing president Darren Cassar said he had been in contact with Perkin and “we both are strongly against violence at any football club”.

“I’ve made contact with their coach Perry Meka three times … to see how he’s going,” Cassar said last week.

“Everything else is being investigated by the police.”

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He condemned the actions of the supporters and insisted his club had “no bad blood” with the Saints.

“We respect others, we respect the game and a football ground, or any ground, should be a safe place for people to come along,” Cassar said.

“Both myself and James Perkin stand arm in arm. We are totally against what happened.

“I just want to wish their coach all the best and hope we can move on from it and I hope his health is what it was and the best it can be.”

Perkin said he could not comment due to the investigation.

The WRFL is investigating, and chief executive Matthew Duck condemned the violence, saying the league was “proud of the tireless work clubs and the league undertake to establish a safe, welcoming and family friendly environment”.

The police investigation continues and anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.