A former WAFL player has been deregistered and charged by police following a violent on-field incident during a country football match. Kalani Brooks, 23, received a 32-match suspension from the WA Football Community Tribunal after being found guilty of striking an opponent during a game between Bridgetown and Kojonup.
Footage from the Lower South West Football League match appears to show Brooks running from behind and striking Kojonup midfielder Kyle Smith, 20, with a swinging arm late in the fourth quarter. Smith fell to the ground and reportedly lost consciousness, requiring trainers to assist him off the field. He was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening facial injuries, including concussion and significant bruising, and is expected to be sidelined for at least three weeks.
The tribunal's decision means Brooks has exceeded the 16-week de-registration threshold. As a result, any player deregistered under the National Community Football Policy Handbook must apply to play in any Australian Rules football competition across Australia after their suspension concludes, with no guarantee of approval.
Police have also alleged Brooks was involved in a separate incident with Smith during the same match, where pressure was applied to the opponent's neck. Brooks was arrested and charged by Kojonup Police, with assistance from Busselton detectives, with assault occasioning bodily harm and impeding another person's normal breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the neck. He is scheduled to appear in Katanning Magistrates Court on August 18, though the charges have not yet been determined by a court.
Joint statements from WA Football, Country Football WA, and the Lower South West Football League condemned the violence, emphasizing their commitment to making football a safe and inclusive environment. The Bridgetown Football Club also released a statement, acknowledging and supporting the tribunal's decision and reiterating its stance against violence in the sport.
Brooks previously played 19 reserves matches for East Perth between 2021 and 2022 before joining the West Coast's WAFL list in 2023, where he made one senior appearance. He had emerged as an AFL draft prospect in 2020.
