Bridgetown player Kalani Brooks facing lengthy ban after coward punching Kojonup player in country footy game

A former West Coast Eagles WAFL player is facing a lengthy suspension after coward-punching an opponent in an “ugly” off-the-ball incident that marred a Lower South West Football League game on Sunday.

Bridgetown midfielder Kalani Brooks was marched off the ground late in the final quarter of the game against Kojonup after jumping off the ground and punching opponent Kyle Smith from behind — the action captured on the live stream footage of the round 14 fixture.

WATCH THE PUNCH IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE.

The hit left Smith concussed and with severe bruising on his face, helped from the ground by trainers as the tensions boiled over between the top two sides.

The incident is being investigated by police and Brooks has been referred directly to the Country Football WA tribunal.

PerthNow does not suggest Mr Brooks is guilty of any crime.

Brooks, 23, was playing only his third game of the season for the Bridgetown Bulldogs, who lost the game to the Kojonup Cougars by 122 points.

The midfielder played one WAFL game for the Eagles back in 2023, and spent six seasons playing colts and reserves for East Perth.

LSWFL president Tristan Mead said the league was aware of the incident and due to the severity had begun the process of handling the issue.

“It’s an ugly incident that we don’t want to see in football,” he said.

The league has handed it to Country Football WA and the tribunal system.”

In the 19th minute, Brooks won the ball and kicked it clear of a contest and as players and umpires moved away, he ran from behind and coward-punched Smith dropping him instantly to the ground.

As Smith lay on the ground, teammates rushed to his aid and confronted Brooks, triggering a huge melee between the two teams.

The incident stunned spectators with many rising to their feet in disbelief after witnessing the off-the-ball strike and the confrontation that followed.

Paramedics at the match brought out the stretcher to attend to Smith on the field, however he was able to leave the field with the assistance of trainers.

Brooks was directed off the field immediately, going straight to his car where he left the oval immediately amid anger from the home side’s players and spectators.

Kojonup police posted on Monday about the investigation.

“Sometime between 4.30pm and 4.45pm, a man in his 20s was threatened and assaulted while playing football at a sporting complex on Benn Parade in Kojonup,” the Facebook post read.

“The victim lost consciousness during the incident and sustained facial injuries. He was later conveyed to Kojonup Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.”

The live-stream footage of Sunday’s game has since been removed from the internet.

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