field punch that left Victorian footballer with broken jaw

Police are investigating an alleged on-field assault during a regional Victorian football game on Good Friday.

Video of the match between the Macedon Cats and the Gisborne Giants allegedly shows Giants player Cameron Freake punching young Cats player Leo Webb with what the game's commentators described as a "left roundhouse hook" and an "absolute shocking incident".

The video then shows a melee breaking out between the two teams and Freake can be seen grabbing Webb by the jumper and trying to pull him up off the ground.

Freake was given a red card and sent from the field.

Webb, 21, sustained a broken jaw during the incident.

Victoria Police confirmed that a report had been made on Tuesday and that the incident was being investigated as a possible criminal matter.

Alleged hit to go to the tribunal

The incident has been referred to a hearing of the Riddell District Football Netball League (RDFNL) tribunal.

On Wednesday morning the Macedon and Gisborne football and netball clubs said they could not comment on the matter until the investigation and tribunal process were completed.

According to the AFL's National Community Football Policy Handbook, an intentional and severe strike to the head carries a minimum suspension of five matches.

La Trobe University sports management adjunct professor Geoff Dickson is the director of the Pat Cronin Foundation, a charity focused on eliminating the coward punch.

He reviewed a video of the incident and said while there was some provocation, Freake allegedly "escalated the situation in what we might call a surprise punch".

"The offending player needs to thank his lucky stars that perhaps a broken jaw is the only damage he causes," Dr Dickson said.

Dr Dickson, who has been on sports tribunals in the past, said he would be comfortable with a suspension for the entire season being handed down.

"There is no excuse for throwing these punches," he said.

"We need to highlight this as inappropriate behaviour and a significant suspension certainly reinforces that violence like this should not be occurring in our sport."

The RDFNL said it did not comment on cases waiting to be heard at the tribunal.

The police investigation will run separately to the tribunal proceeding.

Click here to read article