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Former WAFL Player Kalani Brooks Receives 32-Week Suspension and Deregistration After Off-the-Ball Incidents
Kalani Brooks, a 23‑year‑old former West Coast Eagles WAFL player, has been handed a 32‑week suspension and deregistered from all Australian rules football competitions following two on‑field incidents in a Lower South West Football League match.
The suspension was imposed by the WA Football Community Tribunal after Brooks was found guilty of striking. The tribunal’s decision was announced in a joint statement by WA Football, Country Football WA and the Lower South West Football League. The statement confirmed that the 32‑match ban exceeded the 16‑week deregistration threshold, meaning Brooks will be deregistered until the suspension is completed.
Brooks played only one WAFL game for West Coast’s reserves side in 2023. He was then selected for the Bridgetown Bulldogs in the Lower South West Football League. The Bulldogs lost 122‑point to the Kojonup Cougars in a match that ended with the two incidents.
The first incident involved Brooks leaping off the ground and collecting a player named Smith with a swinging arm. Video footage released by the league shows the contact occurring off the ball. The second incident, which led to police charges, saw Brooks choke Smith, impeding the opponent’s breathing. According to police reports, Smith suffered a concussion and facial injuries.
"We can confirm that Bridgetown player Kalani Brooks has received a 32‑match suspension after being found guilty of striking by the WA Football Community Tribunal," the joint statement read. "Mr Brooks was handed the penalty for striking in a Lower South West Football League match against Kojonup at the weekend, which puts him over the 16‑week deregistration threshold."
The statement also referenced the National Community Football Policy Handbook. It explained that any player deregistered must apply to play in any Australian rules football competition across Australia after the suspension ends, with no guarantee that the application will be successful.
Police charges were filed on 28 July 2026. The charges include assault occasioning bodily harm and impeding another person’s normal breathing or blood circulation. The charges stem from the choking incident in which Smith was rendered unconscious and required medical attention.
The Lower South West Football League’s website lists the match details: the Bulldogs were defeated by the Cougars, and the game was played at the Bridgetown Recreation Ground. The league’s disciplinary procedures are governed by the WA Football Community Tribunal, which handles offences such as striking, violent conduct and other breaches of the code of conduct.
Brooks’ 32‑week suspension is one of the longest in recent Lower South West Football League history. The length of the ban reflects the severity of the offences and the league’s commitment to player safety. The tribunal’s decision was based on evidence presented during the hearing, including video footage and medical reports.
The deregistration means Brooks cannot play for any club in Western Australia or elsewhere in Australia until the suspension period has elapsed. He will need to submit an application to the relevant governing body to be reinstated, and the outcome will be determined by that body.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of on‑field violence in country football. WA Football’s statement reiterated its policy that any breach of the code of conduct will be dealt with swiftly and decisively. The policy also outlines the process for players to appeal tribunal decisions, although no appeal has been announced.
The Bulldogs’ coaching staff expressed disappointment over the outcome. While no official statement from the club’s coach was released, the club’s social media accounts noted that the incident was a “regrettable moment” and that they will work with the league to ensure player safety.
Smith, the player who suffered the injuries, is currently receiving treatment for his concussion and facial injuries. No further medical updates have been released.
The Lower South West Football League will resume its regular season after the weekend, with the next round scheduled for 5 August. The league’s website indicates that the Bulldogs will face the Katanning Cougars in their next match.
Brooks’ suspension will conclude on 28 July 2027, at which point he may apply for reinstatement. Until then, he remains deregistered and cannot participate in any sanctioned Australian rules football competition.
The case underscores the importance of maintaining discipline and safety standards in all levels of Australian rules football, from elite leagues to country competitions.
The suspension was imposed by the WA Football Community Tribunal after Brooks was found guilty of striking. The tribunal’s decision was announced in a joint statement by WA Football, Country Football WA and the Lower South West Football League. The statement confirmed that the 32‑match ban exceeded the 16‑week deregistration threshold, meaning Brooks will be deregistered until the suspension is completed.
Brooks played only one WAFL game for West Coast’s reserves side in 2023. He was then selected for the Bridgetown Bulldogs in the Lower South West Football League. The Bulldogs lost 122‑point to the Kojonup Cougars in a match that ended with the two incidents.
The first incident involved Brooks leaping off the ground and collecting a player named Smith with a swinging arm. Video footage released by the league shows the contact occurring off the ball. The second incident, which led to police charges, saw Brooks choke Smith, impeding the opponent’s breathing. According to police reports, Smith suffered a concussion and facial injuries.
"We can confirm that Bridgetown player Kalani Brooks has received a 32‑match suspension after being found guilty of striking by the WA Football Community Tribunal," the joint statement read. "Mr Brooks was handed the penalty for striking in a Lower South West Football League match against Kojonup at the weekend, which puts him over the 16‑week deregistration threshold."
The statement also referenced the National Community Football Policy Handbook. It explained that any player deregistered must apply to play in any Australian rules football competition across Australia after the suspension ends, with no guarantee that the application will be successful.
Police charges were filed on 28 July 2026. The charges include assault occasioning bodily harm and impeding another person’s normal breathing or blood circulation. The charges stem from the choking incident in which Smith was rendered unconscious and required medical attention.
The Lower South West Football League’s website lists the match details: the Bulldogs were defeated by the Cougars, and the game was played at the Bridgetown Recreation Ground. The league’s disciplinary procedures are governed by the WA Football Community Tribunal, which handles offences such as striking, violent conduct and other breaches of the code of conduct.
Brooks’ 32‑week suspension is one of the longest in recent Lower South West Football League history. The length of the ban reflects the severity of the offences and the league’s commitment to player safety. The tribunal’s decision was based on evidence presented during the hearing, including video footage and medical reports.
The deregistration means Brooks cannot play for any club in Western Australia or elsewhere in Australia until the suspension period has elapsed. He will need to submit an application to the relevant governing body to be reinstated, and the outcome will be determined by that body.
The incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of on‑field violence in country football. WA Football’s statement reiterated its policy that any breach of the code of conduct will be dealt with swiftly and decisively. The policy also outlines the process for players to appeal tribunal decisions, although no appeal has been announced.
The Bulldogs’ coaching staff expressed disappointment over the outcome. While no official statement from the club’s coach was released, the club’s social media accounts noted that the incident was a “regrettable moment” and that they will work with the league to ensure player safety.
Smith, the player who suffered the injuries, is currently receiving treatment for his concussion and facial injuries. No further medical updates have been released.
The Lower South West Football League will resume its regular season after the weekend, with the next round scheduled for 5 August. The league’s website indicates that the Bulldogs will face the Katanning Cougars in their next match.
Brooks’ suspension will conclude on 28 July 2027, at which point he may apply for reinstatement. Until then, he remains deregistered and cannot participate in any sanctioned Australian rules football competition.
The case underscores the importance of maintaining discipline and safety standards in all levels of Australian rules football, from elite leagues to country competitions.
