A sports law expert has questioned whether Victoria Police would treat an AFL star the same as a country Victorian footballer who faced court over a vicious on-field brawl.

Key points: A law expert says there should be more clarity surrounding when police will and won't investigate assaults

A law expert says there should be more clarity surrounding when police will and won't investigate assaults His comments follow the sentencing of a parolee who broke the jaw of a teenager during a country football match

His comments follow the sentencing of a parolee who broke the jaw of a teenager during a country football match The teen's injuries were very similar to those inflicted on Andy Brayshaw by Eagles player Andrew Gaff, but no charges were laid in that case

South-west Victorian footballer William Pickett, 28, has been handed a 12-month community corrections order after the Portland Magistrate's Court found him guilty of recklessly causing injury.

In a marathon legal battle, Pickett was found guilty of breaking the jaw of Sam Lambevski, then 17, during an on-field brawl in a South West District Football Netball League match in July 2018.

Making matters more difficult for Pickett was the fact the melee occurred whilst he was on parole for a violent armed robbery.

In 2014, Pickett was sentenced to six years and nine months' jail over a violent crime spree that saw him hold a gun to the head of a teenage supermarket clerk's head.

Will Picket runs out on to the ground for Heathmere Football Club wearing an ankle bracelet. ( Supplied: Heathmere Football Club Facebook )

He was granted parole in May 2018 with strict bail conditions, and was playing football for Heathmere when the incident occurred in July.

The Adult Parole Board has this week decided not to send Pickett back to jail for the remainder of his original sentence, meaning the 28-year-old remains free to play football in south-west Victoria.

The ongoing ramifications of his corrections order could have a lasting, nationwide impact.

A precedent of sorts

Pickett's case is one of very few examples of an incident that occurred on the field being prosecuted through the legal system.

Hawthorn great Leigh Matthews was charged by police in 1985 for punching Geelong's Neville Bruns, which remains the only case of a top-level player being charged over an on-field incident.

Monash Law School senior lecturer Eric Windholz said that while a legal precedent of sorts had been had been set, it was unlikely to mean much for players at the top level.

Eric Windholz said it was his opinion that Andrew Gaff's punch on Andrew Brayshaw constituted a criminal offence. ( Supplied: Monash University )

"Anything that happens in a court of law sets a precedent, however, I wouldn't want to overstate it," Dr Windholz said.

"The reality is when someone is assaulted on a sporting field … it's a criminal assault whether it's on a professional, amateur or community level sporting field."

Dr Windholz said the real difference between community and professional sport is the manner in which police and prosecuting authorities exercise their discretion.

"They seem to be very loath to involve themselves at a professional level, and much more willing to involve themselves at amateur or community level," he said.

"I think the AFL would be concerned by any form of violence, but I don't think they're concerned this will create a precedent for their sport.

"They have an aura of autonomy and an aura that they'll be left alone to resolves these matters.

"I suspect they'd quickly galvanise, put the wagons in a circle, and try to resolve the matter themselves".

Andrew Brayshaw (left) suffered a broken jaw after being struck during an AFL match, but no charges were laid. Sam Lambevski suffered a similar injury in a country game. ( Instagram: Andy Brayshaw/supplied )

'He wouldn't be allowed to coach my son'

The father of the felled teen, Tony Lambevski, said the AFL needs to tighten participation requirements around amateur football.

He said the only reason he pursued legal action was to make a stand against on-field violence.

"I wasn't happy in the first place someone on parole was playing footy against junior kids," Mr Lambevski said.

"The courts need to send a message to the AFL that this behaviour isn't acceptable. If you're going to king hit a guy behind play you will be charged with a criminal offence."

McLachlan said he was disappointed by the executives' actions. ( AAP: Joe Castro )

Mr Lambevski plans to write to AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan about his experience.

"I think the AFL has breached its duty of care," Mr Lambevski said.

"To coach you have to have a working with children check, but not to play — so he wouldn't be allowed to coach my son at football, but he can play against him.

"There's no scrutiny behind who let play football — I mean, people with a violent criminal history?

"I don't think it's a good atmosphere to let them go around thinking they can hit people.

"Everyone deserves a second chance, but sometimes you can have a second chance doing something else — not playing footy.

"Do something in the community, you don't have to play football to have a second chance."

The AFL has been contacted for comment.

A hit from Andrew Gaff resulted in Andrew Brayshaw ending up with serious facial injuries. ( AAP )

Remember Andrew?

The brawl between Pickett and Lambevski came at a difficult time for the AFL.

The West Coast Eagles were soaring towards what would become a dominant Grand Final win, but at the same time were dealing with the potentially season-ending suspension of star midfielder Andrew Gaff.

Gaff was reported for striking Fremantle youngster Andrew Brayshaw, who suffered a broken jaw.

Gaff was eventually suspended for the remainder of the season, but no criminal charges were laid.

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Watch Duration: 1 minute 34 seconds 1 m 34 s Western Derby chaos after Andrew Gaff punches Andrew Brayshaw

Dr Windholz said the fact Pickett had been successfully prosecuted through the legal system was noteworthy, but he would like to see more clarity about what assaults police investigate.

"Our big problem is we just don't know [when police will investigate]," he said.

"These instances raise questions as to whether professional sports people sit at a level higher than community and amateur sports when it comes to application of law.

"I don't want to be overly harsh on police — they have limited resources.

"But I'd argue there's a societal value in police being seen to be cracking down on on-field violence as a message of the unacceptability of all forms of violence."

William Pickett was contacted by the ABC through his legal team, but refused to comment.