Ex-AFL player Eli Templeton suing local club, league after ‘horrific’ injury ended career

A former St Kilda forward is suing a local football club, league and council after a sickening incident ended his career.

Ex-AFL and VFL player Eli Templeton. Photos: Getty Images/AFL Media

Former AFL player Eli Templeton is suing the Balwyn Football Club, the Eastern Football League and the Boroondara Council following a sickening on-field incident.

In August 2022, the ex-Saint was sent crashing over a fence while representing Balwyn Football Club and landed headfirst onto the surrounding concrete.

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While the now 28-year-old has recovered from the physical injuries, the unfortunate incident forced him to give up football permanently.

Templeton, who played 14 games for St Kilda between 2014-16, is suing for negligence in the Supreme Court.

Then 26 years old, Templeton was playing for VFL outfit Port Melbourne — where he won a pair of best-and-fairest awards — but turned out for a single match for Balwyn during a bye weekend.

Ex-AFL and VFL player Eli Templeton. Photos: Getty Images/AFL Media

Footage of the incident that left ex-AFL player Eli Templeton severely injured. Supplied.

“Eli Templeton was playing a one-off game here at Balwyn in 2022, when he suffered a concussion that ended his career aged 26,” Nine News reporter Tom Morris said on Friday.

“Templeton has launched Supreme Court action, suing not just Balwyn Football Club, but also the Eastern Football League and the City of Boroondara for negligence.

“Templeton alleges the boundary line was too close to the fence, and the drinks table, which he was bumped into, created a hazard, which both failed to comply with AFL and local football regulations.”

The injuries Templeton suffered in 2022 are said to have had permanent implications.

“He suffered four seizures and two bleeds on the brain, which resulted in permanent damage,” he reported.

Former @stkildafc player Eli Templeton is suing Balwyn Football Club, the Eastern Football League & Boroondara Council for negligence in the Supreme Court.

It follows a sickening incident from Aug 2022, which left him with serious head injuries & unable to play footy again.… https://t.co/BjOkncwUFk

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) May 24, 2024

“Templeton’s injuries were so horrific that the game (in 2022) was called off immediately, early in the third quarter.

“The documents I spoke of before reveal Templeton suffers from major depressive disorder with anxiety, among an array of other mental health illnesses.

“This case has significant ramifications for local football around the country and no hearing date has been set.”

Templeton was a member of Port Melbourne’s leadership group and played an integral part in the club’s 2017 VFL premiership triumph over Richmond’s reserves.

A 183cm forward, Templeton was selected with pick three in the 2014 AFL rookie draft by the Saints.

Originally published as Ex-AFL player Eli Templeton suing local club, league after ‘horrific’ injury ended career