THE lifetime ban on former Kalangadoo footballer Leroy Larson has been overturned.
The key forward was permanently sidelined mid-way through the 2018 season after receiving a lengthy penalty for striking Robe player Craig Pitt.
The Roosters complained to the Mid South East Football League about Larson’s antics in a June 2 game at Kalangadoo and an investigation led to a tribunal where Pitt was also punished.
Larson’s seven- match suspension took him past the lifetime threshold for such offences and he was de-registered.
However, the AFL rules allow such players to apply for re-registration after 12 months and Larson appealed to his home association.
The AFL Northern Territory Independent Re-Registration Panel met this month and heard the application.
The panel granted Larson’s application and he is now eligible to re-register as a player or official with St Mary’s Football Club in the Northern Territory Football League.
Once his re-registration is submitted and approved then Larson is eligible to transfer clubs as per normal player movement guidelines.
The Re-Registration panel chairman stated in a summary it was satisfied Larson displayed genuine commitment to his rehabilitation over the course of the past 12 months, which will continue into the future.
“The love he has for the game and the club will contribute to Leroy’s success in returning to the game,” the chairman said.
“St Mary’s Football Club where Leroy will now be re-registered to is also the club where he played his junior football.
“He has mentors who he looks up to and continually turns to for support both on and off the field, which he himself also said doesn’t stop even if successful in gaining re-registration.
“Leroy understood that re-registration was never guaranteed at this hearing, but still continued supporting junior football and also got back involved in rugby, a sport he hadn’t played for seven years.
“Knowing what was on the line when he wished to submit an application for re-registration to Australian Football, Leroy went away winning the best and fairest in the rugby reserves grade this season.
“Leroy talked to what he needs to do if he ever found himself in a position on field and that should he re-offend the opportunity to ever be back involved in the sport he grew up playing will be gone for life.
“The panel felt that his dedication to the mentoring of the juniors and talking about his past to the younger players coming through whilst out of the sport, highlights that he doesn’t want to be back in this position.
“Leroy’s previous coaches supplied written submissions on his behalf, along with submissions from the Nightcliff Rugby League Club and Hermit Park Football Club.”
Larson began his football with St Mary’s in the NTFL as a 13-year-old and has played 94 senior games for the club since then.
He joined the MSEFL Magpies on a permit at the beginning of 2018, won the best player trophy in the pre-season cup and represented the MSEFL.
In all, Larson played eight games and booted 26 goals.
Robe president John Fenton said he was aware of the panel’s decision.
“I hope he has rehabilitated himself,” Fenton said.
“I wish him well for the future.”
Kalangadoo Football Club president Adam Box said he hoped Larson goes well in the Northern Territory and looks after himself.
He said there had been no conversations about him returning to Kalangadoo in 2020.
Box said the term “life ban” was not correct as players such as Larson had the right to seek re-registration after 12 months.
