Tough penalties have been handed out to players involved in a bloody brawl that was sparked by a head-butt at a Metropolitan League Football match on the weekend.

The match between the Balga and Warwick Greenwood football clubs had to be abandoned in the final quarter after violence erupted between a number of players and supporters at Barry Britton Reserve.

A Balga player who hit and kicked opposition players has been handed an 18 match penalty and will be de-registered under the AFL national de-registration policy, after the Community Football Tribunal met on Wednesday.

Another who hit a Warwick Greenwood player has copped a 12 match penalty.

Camera Icon Brawl between Balga and Warwick Greenwood football clubs. Credit: 7NEWS

The Metropolitan Football League has also delivered its own punishment with a further four players penalised over the fracas: one who head-butted an opposition player has copped a six match ban, and another three have two weeks penalty for threatening behaviour.

Balga Football Club has also been penalised with a match forfeit, a $250 fine,a $2000 good behaviour bond for rest of the 2019 season and a $1000 good behaviour bond for 2020 season.

Two players from the Warwick Greenwood Football Club also copped bans, with each to serve a one match penalty for striking. A runner will also serve a one match ban for attempted striking.

Balga Football Club coach Andrew McPhee told 6PR this morning that he did not condone or justify the actions of the players involved in the brawl.

“They have copped the penalties and fair enough, I suppose, because no-one wants to see that sort of violence in society, especially, you know, the first hit on the young fella who didn’t see if coming. Hopefully he’s OK,” he said.

He denied, though, that the team, whose average age is 20, were undisciplined.

“We come up against these older sides which are probably a bit older and slower and they use any means to try and stop and slow us down so we do cop it a fair bit and that’s understandable. I even say to them that’s part of footy, let’s move on,” he said.

Mr McPhee said he taught his players to play “good, honest, hard, tough footy and that’s what these guys do”.

“Balga is portrayed as a bad area as well anyway. I’ve grown up there myself and I don’t like to be tarnished or our players actually thrown under the bus. You need to get to know these guys you know: heat of the battle. I don’t condone it, don’t justify, it’s horrible to see.”

Metropolitan Football League President Rowan Carson said the competition would continue to take a strong stance against any form of unacceptable behaviour by endorsing maximum possible penalties.

“We don’t want this type of behaviour to be part of our competition and will make sure we continue setting clear expectations and take a zero-tolerance approach towards anyone that fails to meet these,” he said in a written statement.

West Australian Football Commission Executive Manager WAFL & Football Operations Scott Baker said he was extremely disappointed by the incident and that the WAFC fully supported the Metropolitan Football League and Community Football Tribunal’s penalties.

“This outcome sends a clear message that unacceptable behaviour at the football will not be tolerated. Everyone should be able to enjoy themselves in a safe and fun environment at all times,” he said.

Police are still investigating the incident and Police are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppers.wa.com.au.