Brookton-Pingelly football player charged with grievous bodily harm over Katanning ‘off-the-ball incident’

A 25-year-old Perth man has been charged with grievous bodily harm over an alleged assault during a football match in Katanning. The alleged assault happened during a reserves clash between Katanning Wanderers and Brookton-Pingelly Panthers in the Upper Great Southern Football League about 1pm on Sunday, May 30. Police say the man, a Brookton-Pingelly player, struck an opponent in the face in an off-the-ball incident that left his younger victim requiring surgery for a broken jaw. The Katanning player had a metal plate inserted into his jaw at hospital in Perth. Katanning went on to complete an upset victory over ladder leaders Brookton-Pingelly, winning the game 12.13 (85) to 7.11 (53). Detectives first announced they were investigating the incident in June. “We are dealing with grievous bodily harm. It is a serious offence,” Albany Detective Sergeant Darryl Noye said in June. “While we expect there to be some contact in footy, nobody wants to see anyone participating in the sport go to hospital to seek medical treatment for what could be permanent injury.” At the time, UGSFL president Tim Cowcher said no players were reported in the reserves match in question. “The UGSFL will await the outcome of the police investigation and go from there,” Mr Cowcher said in June. “There was no report made on the day, there was nothing noted on the match report sheet. “We will help police with anything we can.” The 25-year-old man from Hilbert in south-east Perth is due to appear in Perth Magistrate’s Court on September 3.