Ipswich Eagles player handed 20-year ban for violent head-kick

An Australian AFL player has been handed a 20-year ban after an incredible attack on an opposition player.

The incident occurred in an AFL Queensland Senior Reserves semi-final match between the Ipswich Eagles and the Redcliffe Tigers at the weekend.

The Ipswich footballer is seen in a video of the incident viciously kicking an opponent in the head, as he lies on the ground, having been earlier pushed to the turf by another Eagles' player.

The Division Three player was immediately sent from the field and the tribunal, helped by the damning video evidence, promptly handed the player a 20-year-ban - effectively ending his AFL career.

Former Melbourne star David Schwarz slammed the offender for the shocking act of violence.

"It is a coward kick - the very worst that I've ever seen," he said on SEN's The Run Home. "This player should be charged criminally.

"These are the incidents that set the example going forward. This player should never play sport again and should not be walking on the streets.

"This is jail time.

"Disgusting, shameful, (he's a) coward. Not on."

While the AFL does not use a red-card system, it is used throughout suburban football to curb violent acts, given not all games are recorded for disciplinary matters.

An AFL Queensland spokesman said the league took immediate action, sending the footballer straight to the tribunal.

"The tribunal sustained the charge of kicking and handed down a 20-year ban," the spokesman told Quest Community Newspapers.

"The player has been automatically deregistered under the AFL's Deregistration Policy. The player must serve his 20-year ban and then wait a further 12 months before he can apply to be re-registered in accordance with the policy."

It is believed to be the longest ban handed down by AFL Queensland in history. The Ipswich Eagles player did not appear to face the tribunal.

Redcliffe Tigers' vice-president Steve Brown confirmed that the player that was violently assaulted was still recovering, having experienced a concussion.

He is unlikely to play for the rest of the season and has been unable to return to work. He has experienced ongoing headaches after the incident.

Brown praised the reaction of his Tigers' players, who sought no reprisals, despite the violent conduct.

"Normally when something like that happens a fight breaks out but the players all rushed to check on their teammate," Brown said. "It was great team spirit."

Social media was quick to condemn the actions of the Ipswich Eagles player.

Stuff the ban.....should be jailed for 20 years.

— Macca (@maccacats) August 24, 2017