Melton Central player Manawa Aranui knocks opponent to the ground

Vision from a game in country Victoria shows an opponent of a transgender player hitting the deck. It comes amid an investigation into whether transgender players pose a safety risk to their opponents.

A video has emerged of a Victorian transgender women's netball player knocking her opponent to the ground.

The footage was taken on Saturday during a game between Melton Centrals – which has two transgender players – and Romsey.

It shows Melton Central player Manawa Aranui, who previously played elite men’s netball, jumping for the ball in the goal circle.

Transgender netballer Manawa Aranui playing for Melton Central Netball Club.

In an attempt to intercept the ball, her opponent – who is physically much smaller – runs into Ms Aranui before hitting the ground.

Ms Aranui can then be seen going to help the player to her feet.

It comes after the Saturday Herald Sun revealed Netball Victoria was investigating whether transgender players in the Riddell League, including Ms Aranui, posed a safety risk to their female opponents.

Goal shooter Manawa Aranui in action during the game on Saturday.

Ms Aranui’s opponent runs into her.

Ms Aranui can then be seen going to help the player to her feet.

The Riddell District Football Netball League is working with multiple other leagues to prove that under the Sex Discrimination Act they are allowed to deem some transgender players ineligible due to safety concerns.

Chief executive Jordan Doyle said the league would continue to adopt Netball Victoria’s Gender Diversity Policy but had “no choice” but to look at what other neighbouring leagues have implemented.

That includes the Ballarat League which deemed Ms Aranui ineligible to play in the women’s competition due to safety concerns.

“The RDFNL is committed to ensuring that our participants are safeguarded into the future as right now based upon advice from Clubs, there are many concerns,” Mr Doyle said.

Amid a series of complaints, Netball Victoria has engaged an independent expert to review possible on-court risks.

Melton South players are also threatening to boycott their next match with Melton Central over safety concerns, with some saying they “do not feel safe playing on biological males”.

Melton Central has said they will continue to allow the two transgender players to compete, unless Netball Victoria says otherwise.

A Netball Victoria spokesperson said it would continue to support and welcome netballers of all backgrounds, including gender diverse players.