STAR Kalangadoo recruit Leroy Larson will remain on the sidelines for at least a further 12 months after his appeal against an eight-match ban for striking was reduced by just one game.
Larson had attempted to overturn the penalty, which has now triggered a lifetime ban according to AFL rules which apply to all grades across the nation.
The Kalangadoo Football Club had appealed to the SANFL tribunal and after two hearings at Adelaide Oval, the three commissioners handed down their written findings yesterday.
Magpies president Adam Box said the AFL rules allowed Larson to lodge an appeal against de-registration after 12 months had elapsed from the end of his ban.
“The Kalangadoo Football Club will continue to support Leroy Larson,” Box said.
“This matter has not had an impact on the playing group and it has even brought it closer together under coach Chris Mules.
“It has not been a distraction and we are looking forward to playing in the finals.”
Larson had been accompanied at the hearings by Box, his lawyer and ex-Kalangadoo player Anthony Reynolds and vice-president and senior coach Chris Mules.
The star forward had pleaded guilty at a MSEFL tribunal to striking Robe player Craig Pitt on June 2.
Pitt had earlier pleaded guilty to striking Larson and received a one-match penalty.
Both players had been reported by Mid South East Football League investigation officer Rob Dycer after a written complaint submitted by the Robe Football Club had been probed by him.
The Border Watch sought a reaction from Robe Football Club president John Fenton about the outcome of the appeal.
“The Robe Football Club was not involved in any way in the appeal and therefore has no comment to make, nor would it be considered appropriate for the club to comment,” Fenton said.
According to the AFL rules, a player is automatically de-registered once he reaches a lifetime accumulation of 16 matches.
Larson had already accumulated 10 matches in penalties before joining Kalangadoo at the start of 2018.
He had an excellent start to the season by winning the best player award in the pre-season carnival at Kongorong and later representing the MSEFL in the SE zone carnival at Robe.
Larson has been training at Kalangadoo and attending games.
The Magpies and the Roosters meet in the final minor round game at the seaside on Saturday with the winner assured of a place in the double chance second semi-final.
The appeal process required the Kalangadoo Football Club to pay a $4000 fee and it is understood a portion of this may now be returned.
