The Adelaide Footy league launched an investigation into the deeply disturbing allegations made in a senior women’s match earlier this month.
Complaints are focused on a runner from a southern suburban club who would have made violent threats to opposition players during the lively competition on the field.
According to a report by News Corp, the runner heard, “I’m going to get it after the match” and “I will pay $ 50 for the F ***.
The alleged comments were made during the game and reported after the final siren. The players affected by the threats were shaken and intimidated, which prompted a rapid notification to the League officials.
The CEO of the League, John Kernahan, described the question as extremely serious.
“The circumstances concerning allegations do not allow the forgiveness of forgiveness at all,” he said. “There is no chance that we allow anyone to suggest that we have repealed our responsibility.”
Adelaide Footy League investigates disturbing threats on the field that would have been made by the runner during the shock of the senior Women’s weekend
Kernahan confirmed that the investigation would not be rushed.
“By abundance of caution for everyone, each party needs all occasions to offer their position,” he said. “There are always two sides at a story.
The Adelaide Footy league has taken a strong position on behavioral standards, reaffirming its approach to zero tolerance for threats and abuses on the day of the match.
While the League refused to appoint the involved club, Kernahan confirmed that all parties had been cooperative throughout the process.
It is understood that the runner could face a long ban if he was found guilty of having made the alleged threats.
The incident has triggered broader concerns through female competition already faced with a drop in the number of players.
The league should lose seven senior women’s teams in 2025, with clubs such as Flinders Park, Old Ignatians and Fitzroy removing the sides due to low figures. “From 2024 to 2025, we lose seven senior teams, making it a division,” said Kernahan.
He linked the deposit in part to the clear point of interest after the launch of the AFLW, which may have created inflated expectations on long -term participation. “There is a separate difference in motivations to play between junior girls and senior women,” he said.
The boss of the league John Kernahan says that serious allegations will be treated with caution, without tolerance for violent behavior
Female football confrontations are wider in difficulty, with several senior teams withdrawing from the 2025 season
While female football remains strong at the junior level, many clubs have trouble maintaining senior teams. Flinders Park, for example, recorded 64 players in 2022, but has since reduced.
Mark Kearns, director of women’s football at Flinders Park, said that changes in the stages of life and physical toll were probably factors.
“Some players were unable to grow up, joined for a few years, then evolved,” he said.
He added that the finance, volunteers and resources of the day of the match also contributed to the challenge of supporting several teams.
However, Kearns remained optimistic. “We will keep a strong position in women’s football, especially as the right junior figures move,” he said. “These are just growing pain.
Kernahan recognized the trendy trend beyond the ADFL. “There is a cold comfort that it is not a local problem,” he said. “We see it through its.
He added that it could take another two years before the girls who picked up football in 2017, help stabilize participation.
While the alleged threats of the weekend match threw a shadow on the competition, the league leaders use it as a timely reminder of what is and is not acceptable.
“This kind of incident is rare, fortunately,” said Kernahan. “But we have no tolerance for that – and that will not change.”
