Player ‘rendered unconscious’ in shock country footy act in Victoria

A player was left “unconscious” and suffering “convulsions” after a sickening act off the ball in a country footy game in Victoria.

A Victorian country footy team has expressed its disappointment over the penalty handed out for a strike behind play that left a player “unconscious” and suffering “convulsions”.

Colac teenager Jack Skinner struck Bell Park’s Tom Pearson off the ball during an AFL Barwon match at Central Reserve in Colac on April 5.

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Pearson was knocked unconscious and had to be taken from the ground on a stretcher, as the Herald Sun reports.

The incident sparked an all-in brawl and Skinner was ultimately hit with a six-game ban, which Bell Park and Pearson’s family felt was insufficient and “a missed opportunity to send a stronger message”.

Tom Pearson (left) is helped by medical staff as a melee breaks out. Photo: YouTube

Skinner wasn’t cited after an AFL Barwon match review, but Bell Park provided vision to the league office and the suspension was handed out after a hearing last Wednesday night.

Skinner pleaded not guilty, but the action was graded intentional conduct, high contact and severe impact and he was handed a six-game sanction.

But with Pearson still under medical supervision, Bell Park and the victim’s family felt the punishment did not fit the on-field act.

“We are satisfied that the Tribunal recognised the seriousness of the incident by returning a guilty verdict,” the club statement read.

A brawl broke out after the incident. Photo: YouTube

“However, we do not believe the six-week suspension handed down reflects the expectations of the broader community, particularly at a time when concussion, player safety, and respect for the game are at the forefront of all sporting codes.

“Tom was rendered unconscious, suffered convulsions on the ground, and was stretchered from the field. He continues to recover from a significant concussion and remains under ongoing medical supervision.

“While we respect the Tribunal process and its finding, we believe this was a missed opportunity to send a stronger message to the football community that off-the-ball and dangerous incidents are unacceptable — at any level of the game.”

Skinner is a Port Melbourne listed player and Bell Park is considering appealing the decision to AFL Barwon and AFL Victoria.