By Tate Papworth
A coach has been sidelined for the rest of the season after he was found guilty of making contact with an opposition player during an all-abilities football match.
Star Weekly has been told the coach of a Victorian Football Integration Development Association team confronted the Brimbank player on field last month.
It is understood that the player, who has an acquired head injury, received two jumper punches to the chest and one to the chin.
The blows left him with severe concussion and he spent a period of time in hospital.
Star Weekly has been told the player has been advised by doctors that he won’t be able to play football again.
The coach was handed a one-match ban by AFL Victoria at a tribunal hearing after the incident. But the injured player’s club deemed the suspension inadequate and appealed the decision.
At a tribunal hearing last week, the suspension was extended to the end of the season.
The season is already into finals, meaning the coach will serve three weeks’ suspension.
The coach was also given a 12-month suspended sentence by the tribunal for verbal abuse and contact with an opposition player.
The incident has been reported to police.
The player’s club was contacted for comment.
