Myrtleford defender Zac Pethybridge has been handed a two-week ban for punching 17-year-old Wodonga Raiders player Charlie Johnson as vision of the incident goes viral.
Some locals in the football community are outraged, deeming the suspension manifestly inadequate, given that the youngster will potentially miss more matches through concussion than the offending player will for causing it.
What was meant to be a joyous occasion, with Johnson making his senior debut for the club after 10 games in Wodonga's under 17s side this season, was soured by Pethybridge's punch.
Pethybridge was originally offered a three-week ban, which was reduced to two weeks after his early guilty plea.
Such an incident in the AFL would almost certainly lead to the offending player being sent straight to the tribunal.
Who’s number 5 for #myrtlefordsaints? Very courageous man sniping a teenager playing his 1st game. #WEAKASPISS pic.twitter.com/rH0sUIoA1j
— Leigh Clarke (@Cwarky23) July 4, 2026
Online commentary has been scathing of both the act and the punishment, with many asking if the Ovens and Murray League is satisfied with the grading and subsequent suspension.
"Players have received three weeks for accidental high contact from a bump or for pushing someone into a contest. This was an intentional king hit to the back of the head," one comment read.
"Tom Lynch got five weeks last year for hitting Jordon Butts in the head and it didn't even result in a concussion. Very poor outcome," it continued.
As yet, the league - one of the country's premier regional competition's - has declined to comment.
