Former Portarlington Cricket Club president Adam McGrath appeals jail term over one-punch attack

A stalwart of a Bellarine Peninsula cricket club has learnt the outcome of his appeal against a jail term for a sickening one-punch attack on a teammate as they argued over player selections.

A stalwart of a Bellarine cricket club who launched a sickening one-punch attack on a teammate has had his jail term quashed on appeal.

Adam McGrath, 46, was embroiled in a heated argument over player selections at Portarlington Cricket Club when he landed a savage blow to the head of a senior player.

The attack last year resulted in the victim being knocked out and led to McGrath being slapped with a six-month jail term in October.

He was immediately bailed after lodging an appeal, and on Thursday the jail sentence was overturned and replaced with a community correction order.

Adam McGrath was been spared jail over a one-punch attack. Picture: Facebook

The County Court was told McGrath had experienced a significant fall from grace since launching the unprovoked attack on October 31, 2020.

McGrath — a premiership-winning captain, life member and former president — has played more than 400 senior games for Portarlington and won numerous awards.

Court documents reveal McGrath and his victim had been drinking alcohol when a heated discussion about player selections evolved into an argument.

Defence lawyer Adrian Paull said McGrath “lost his temper” and threw a punch at the victim, who was knocked out and hit his head after falling backwards.

The injured man was helped to his feet by friends and taken home.

He sought medical attention three days later and was ultimately diagnosed with mild post-concussion syndrome.

McGrath was banned from the club for the remainder of the 2020-21 season and is yet to return, the court was told.

Mr Paull said McGrath was under enormous stress at the time of the assault, with his father’s cancer diagnosis coinciding with the impact of Covid-19 on his business.

The court heard McGrath, who has no prior convictions, was also struggling with being forced to live in a caravan while he and his wife faced delays in the construction of their home.

The Portarlington man was originally jailed earlier this year after pleading guilty at Geelong Magistrates Court to a charge of recklessly causing injury.

But Judge Felicity Hampel on Thursday threw out the prison term and instead imposed an 18-month community correction order.

As part of the order, McGrath must complete 150 hours of unpaid community work and undergo assessment and treatment for alcohol abuse and mental health.

He will also be required to complete programs aimed at reducing the risk of reoffending.

“Some people might think this is a light outcome. I don’t,” Judge Hampel said.

“I think for you the stain of a conviction and of an 18-month order, with those onerous conditions on it, will be something you see as a shame as well as, I hope, a just punishment.

“I have confidence that I hope you will honour and that you will not come back before a court again.”

Originally published as Former Portarlington Cricket Club president Adam McGrath appeals jail term over one-punch attack