Laurimar Football Club assistant coach Craig House suspended for 18 weeks over on-field clash

An assistant coach has been whacked with a lengthy suspension following an on-field clash at a suburban junior footy match, sitting out most of the season after the altercation.

A Laurimar Football Club assistant coach has copped an 18-match suspension. Picture: Andy Brownbill

An assistant coach has been whacked with a lengthy suspension following an on-field clash at a suburban footy match.

Laurimar Football Club assistant coach Craig House was handed an 18-match suspension after an incident with an opposition player at an under-19s match on Saturday.

The Northern Football Netball League’s independent tribunal handed down the penalty on Tuesday night.

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The incident was initially reported to the league as the assistant coach “making contact with an opposition player”.

It occurred during the season-opening match against Whittlesea Football Club at Laurimar Reserve Oval in Doreen.

It is understood the player continued for the remainder of the game.

NFNL chief executive Peter McDougall said the league would not tolerate any acts of violence.

“Any incidents involving non-players are unacceptable and offenders will be dealt with accordingly,” Mr McDougall said.

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“The league will continue to be a leader in our community by encouraging our clubs and stakeholders to take the strongest possible stance when it comes to issues relating to violence.”

Mr House declined to answer the Herald Sun’s questions.

It is the latest in a string of footy altercations involving staff and parents.

A coach was suspended for assaulting a player during a disability football match in Lower Plenty on July 22 last year, while a junior player was kneed to the head and punched by a violent footy parent at Nagambie football ground on July 1, 2018.

Laurimar Football Club was contacted for comment.