Geelong Advertiser |
GEELONG West Sporting Club has vowed to deal with a reserves footballer harshly if he is found as the instigator of a post-match brawl against Belmont Lions on Saturday.
The Cheetahs yesterday confirmed the incident, in which the man allegedly approached a Lions player on the ground after the final siren of the senior GDFL match, was under club investigation.
Geelong West president Simon Cavallo said the ensuing fracas, which involved about 10 individuals, was not in the spirit of the day.
"It was bitterly disappointing," he said.
"We're taking this matter very seriously, we can't condone that behaviour.
"We need to stamp this out."
Cavallo disputed claims the Blue West man was intoxicated and described the contact as a shove, rather than the rumoured king hit.
Cheetahs coach Nick Washington, who focused on getting his players off the ground safely, said the situation was defused quickly.
"It was hard to know who belonged to which club," he said.
"Other people got involved who probably shouldn't have."
Belmont Lions president Mal Smith described the fray as a "domino effect" which "took off" after the initial confrontation between the spectating reserves footballer and player.
But he praised Geelong West's swift action in removing the alleged instigator.
"We know it doesn't reflect that club at all," Smith said.
"They were just as mortified."
GDFL secretary Alan Moore said the league would also investigate the incident.
"The league will investigate the matter and the player will be dealt with," he said.
"If the club has got on the front foot, we fully support them.
"We don't condone this sort of thing. It appears to be a one-off."
The Cheetahs won the senior match by 28 points.
