St Mary’s forward Leroy Larson on deregistration watch after a week-long case bans him for five games

MYSTERY and intrigue surround the playing future of St Mary’s forward Leroy Larson after his five-match suspension on racial vilification grounds this week

Mystery and intrigue surround the playing future of St Mary’s forward Leroy Larson. Picture: GLENN CAMPBELL

MYSTERY and intrigue surround the long term playing future of St Mary’s forward Leroy Larson after his five-match suspension on racial vilification grounds this week.

Larson went through a traumatic week after a Round 17 incident involving himself and Tiwi Bomber Austin Wonaeamirri was made known to AFLNT officials post match.

Those same officials have remained tight-lipped on the processes involved in the claims and counter claims since being contacted by the NT News.

The ban that ended Larson’s 2019-20 season would normally take him over the 15-game threshold put in place for player deregistration.

It would be the final nail in Larson’s career after he used his one avenue of appeal to successfully overturn a life ban in 2018.

But a statement released by the AFLNT late on Saturday night indicated deregistration may have been averted in this case.

Parent body the AFL’s strict confidentiality policy means no information on the progress of the case can be released to the public.

But the normal process is to offer mediation to both parties before it goes to a tribunal hearing if those talks fail.

This occurred in the Larson case, resulting in the 23-year-old forward being handed the five-match ban.

St Mary’s appealed the decision as late as Friday night in front of an independent tribunal, but were denied a reversal of the ban despite Larson being named in their side 24 hours earlier.

Former St Kilda defender Raphael Clarke was a late inclusion and played well in his return to league football after 13 weeks.

It is believed the AFL is the sole judge on whether Larson will be able to continue his playing career after the five-game ban.