>
Terrifying moment former St Kilda player Eli Templeton is left with a broken skull and brain bleed after smashing his head onto rocks during a game – as player who bumped him only gets a TWO-match ban
- Footage of former AFL star Eli Templeton fracturing his skull has emerged
- The ex-St Kilda star was bumped near the boundary by Zac Clarke in the EFL
- He went flying into some rocks outside the pitch and was severely injured
- Clarke only copped a two-game ban and Balwyn are appealing the decision
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Footage of the terrifying moment ex-AFL star Eli Templeton was sent crashing into rocks, causing a severe injury, has emerged.
During a match between Balwyn and Doncaster East in the Eastern Football League, fellow former AFL player Zac Clarke bumped Templeton as the pair contested possession near the boundary.
The clash sent Templeton flying through Balwyn’s interchange area and over a fence, before hitting his head on rocks outside the ground.
The terrifying moment former AFL star Eli Templeton fractured his skull has come to light
The former St Kilda player was sent flying into rocks during a game for EFL side Balwyn
Former Essendon and Fremantle star Zac Clarke bumped Templeton towards the boundary
Templeton was helpless as he hit his head on rocks by the boundary, causing a severe injury
An ambulance was called and the game was abandoned in the third term, with Balwyn ahead
Templeton, who used to play for St Kilda and is a current Port Melbourne VFL player, was left with a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain as a result of the incident.
Former Essendon and Fremantle ruckman Clarke copped a two-match suspension for the incident, and Balwyn are understood to be writing to the league in a bid to have the decision appealed.
Eastern league’s official tribunal listing says that Clarke was found guilty of ‘intentionally or carelessly engaging in rough conduct against an opponent’.
Former St Kilda star Templeton is said to be recovering well and passed brain tests
Zac Clarke (R), who played for Essendon, received a two-match ban for the bump
Balwyn president Richard Wilson said Templeton was expected to make a full recovery after the incident.
‘He spoke on the phone last night (Saturday), he’s cognitive and speaking and passing all the tests, which means he’s basically going to be OK,’ he said, via The Herald Sun.
The match was abandoned in the third quarter as an ambulance attended the scene, with Balwyn awarded the victory having led 68-45 at the time.
The incident has sparked debate over the safety of the distance between the fence and the boundary line at Balwyn Park.