Tigers demand action over broken jaw

A NEW chapter was added to the Inverleigh-Bannockburn rivalry on Saturday after the Tigers were left seething after Jack Brauman underwent jaw surgery.

The tenacious midfielder, considered by some among the best players in league, was allegedly struck at the 11minute mark of the preliminary final. Umpires have asked for the match review panel to determine whether Hawks co-captain Ryan Garrard has a case to answer.

“What I was told was that he got him in the jaw with an elbow and I can confirm he’s in hospital right now having surgery on it,” Bannockburn co-coach Peter Riccardi said.

“It’s not what you want to see but if he (Garrard) plays on next week then it’s a joke, seriously it’s a joke. We’re trying to wipe that stuff from our league, but not only that, he doesn’t get a free kick or anything. I’m fuming, it’s just ridiculous.”

Riccardi spoke on behalf of his ball winner’s family members, who were vocal at quarter time, moments after Brauman left the ground with a blue towel wrapped around his head.

“The family’s upset, we’re here to play football and if it’s actually an accident that’s fair enough, but he’s elbowed him fair and square in the jaw,” Riccardi said.

For the second straight final, Bannockburn’s acting captain Jason Tom kicked two goals in the opening quarter in the absence of skipper and spiritual leader Brad Watts (kidney injury).

Though Nathan Kelly (22 disposals), Matthew Hoe and Kieran Fulton all finished strong, the Tigers had no fight left by the final term.

“It’s funny because at that exact moment Tim Arklay does his groin and then Stevo (Michael Stevenson) does his hamstring,” Riccardi said.

“Halfway through the third term Tom Bath does his hamstring so our boys were really brave but it’s just another year.”