Earlier this month an under-17 player pleaded guilty at a Murray Football League independent tribunal to two charges of intentionally striking another player and was handed an 18-match penalty.
The club appealed that length and was able to reduce the suspension to 14 weeks, releasing a statement after the proceedings.
“The player concerned is a junior player, we acted in support of the player and their family,” the statement — attributed to president Paul Briggs — read.
“This appeal decision brings the penalty under the player deregistration threshold. The club appealed due to the original penalty being thought excessive and not balanced with other penalties regarding on-field violence.
“The club does not condone violence in any form. We are supporting the player through this process and are happy that the player and their family's needs were addressed throughout this process.
“We all abide by the umpire's decision and the penalty associated with this incident.”
The incidents occurred in last month's under-17 grand final against Cobram.
League general manager Dale Norman expressed his dismay at the decision made by the appeals board.
“(I'm) finding it difficult to understand how the AFL Victoria Appeals Tribunal could justify the decision after the evidence that was presented,” Norman said.
“The suspension does not reflect community expectations. The suspension does not reflect well on the Murray Football League Independent Tribunal either.
“The tribunal never set out to make a statement or set an example, but made a decision that was purely based on the evidence presented.”
He also highlighted the impact this process has had on the Cobram Football Netball Club.
“The league has nothing but sympathy for the victims,” he said.
“The victims are still traumatised. The feedback the league has had from spectators that attended the game is one of shock and anger.
“It is extremely disappointing that the gloss has been taken off the biggest day of the year (and) also what the Cobram FC achieved on that day.
“What has gone unrecognised is that a bulk of their under-17 team was bottom age. The players and supporters did not get to enjoy and celebrate the moment.
“In the end (we) have to accept the decision and move on.”
Tigers president Peter Beasley also provided a comment on the matter.
“I am just disappointed the AFL Victoria tribunal challenged the Murray Football League, and seemed fit to reduce the suspension,” Beasley said.
“It is not the outcome we would have hoped for.”
The Rumbalara player was initially suspended for six matches and 12 matches respectively for striking the pair of Cobram players, but the appeals board reduced the second sanction to eight weeks to bring the overall total to 14.
The threshold for deregistration is 16 or more matches of total suspension history.