Footy player deregistered, charged by police and cops mega ban for sickening coward punch after ‘choking’ the same opponent earlier in the match
A former WAFL player has been deregistered and charged by police after an off-the-ball strike left an opponent unconscious during a country football match.
Kalani Brooks, 23, received a 32-match suspension after the WA Football Community Tribunal found him guilty of striking during Bridgetown’s match against Kojonup last Sunday.
Footage from the Lower South West Football League clash appeared to show Brooks running towards Kojonup midfielder Kyle Smith from behind before leaping and striking him with a swinging arm late in the fourth quarter.
Smith, 20, fell to the ground and allegedly lost consciousness. Trainers helped him from the field before he was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening facial injuries.
He suffered concussion and significant facial bruising and has reportedly been ruled out of football for at least three weeks.
Players from both teams rushed towards the incident before umpires intervened. Brooks was directed from the field and then left Kojonup Oval in his vehicle.
Kalani Brooks played 19 East Perth reserves matches before making his senior WAFL debut for West Coast during the 2023 season
The former West Coast reserves player appeared before the WA Football Community Tribunal on Wednesday night.
‘We can confirm that Bridgetown player Kalani Brooks has received a 32-match suspension after being found guilty of striking by the WA Football Community Tribunal,’ WA Football, Country Football WA and the Lower South West Football League said in a joint statement.
‘Mr Brooks was handed the penalty for striking in a Lower South West Football League match against Kojonup at the weekend, which puts him over the 16-week de-registration threshold.
‘As per the National Community Football Policy Handbook, any player de-registered will have to apply to play in any Australian Rules football competition across Australia following the completion of their suspension, with no guarantees of their application being successful.’
The 32-match penalty is twice the suspension threshold that triggers deregistration.
Brooks will need to complete the ban before he can apply to play Australian rules football again. There is no guarantee any future application will be approved.
He has the right to appeal the tribunal’s decision.
Police also allege Brooks was involved in a separate incident with the same victim during the match in which pressure was applied to his opponent’s neck.
Former WAFL player Kalani Brooks received a 32-match suspension after being found guilty of striking an opponent from behind
Footage appeared to show Brooks running towards Kyle Smith before leaping and striking the Kojonup midfielder with his arm
The Cowaramup man was arrested by Kojonup Police with assistance from Busselton detectives.
He was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm and impeding another person’s normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the neck.
Brooks is due to appear in Katanning Magistrates Court on August 18. The charges have not been determined by a court.
‘We strongly condemn any form of violence, both on the football field and in society as a whole, and strive to make football a safe and inclusive environment for all,’ the governing bodies said.
‘As the matter is currently under WA Police investigation, we will not be making any further comment.’
Bridgetown Football Club released another statement after the tribunal delivered its decision.
‘The Bridgetown Football Club acknowledges and fully supports the decision of the WA Football Community Tribunal,’ the club said.
‘We again strongly condemn violence in any form. It has no place in football. The safety, respect and wellbeing of all players, officials, volunteers and supporters will always remain a core value of our club.’
Brooks emerged as an AFL draft prospect in 2020 and appeared in the Western Australian under-18 All-Stars match after the national championships were cancelled because of COVID.
He played 19 reserves matches for East Perth across 2021 and 2022 before joining West Coast’s WAFL list in 2023.
Brooks made one senior WAFL appearance for the Eagles against Subiaco that season.