POLICE have launched an investigation into an alleged assault which left a Wandin football champion with severe facial injuries.

Wandin Bulldogs ruckman Robbie Ross will have surgery on Friday after he was brutally punched in the opening minutes of the AFL Yarra Ranges top-of-the-table clash against Healesville last Saturday.

The 29-year-old told Leader he’d suffered fractures to his nose, cheek and upper jaw. Ross said he struggled to remember exactly what occurred.

FEARS FOR FALLEN DOVETON PLAYER’S FUTURE

But Wandin president Mick Fowkes said his player was running when an opponent allegedly punched Ross.

“I saw it — Robbie tapped the ball down to one of our guys then Robbie was running forward and this guy just roundhoused him,” Mr Fowkes said.

“We don’t want to see that in football — that went out of the game 40 years ago. Robbie has a young family — his son won’t even recognise him.”

Healesville president Felix Fraraccio said his club had made an internal investigation into the incident which indicated a Wandin player threw the first punch.

“Our internal investigation indicates that the incident in question began with an opposing player striking one of our players,” Mr Fraraccio said.

“This was not a premeditated action or a coward’s punch by any of our HFNC players.

“We want to make it clear that it doesn’t in anyway excuse any on-field violence from both teams.”

media_camera Robbie Ross (right) in action for Wandin. Picture: Stuart Milligan

AFL Yarra Ranges general manager Luke McCormick said the league was taking the incident seriously and did not condone violent behaviour.

He said after the initial incident several smaller scuffles took place and he understood a Healesville player took no further part in the match due to concussion.

“We are disappointed with this incident and the fact it detracts from the overall state of the game,” Mr McCormick said.

“Some of the crowd would have witnessed this and we do want to attract younger people and more supporters to our game so it is disappointing from that perspective as well.”

Both clubs have lodged official complaints requesting an investigation.

The league will now hire an external investigator to review the matter before it goes to a tribunal.

Ross said he had no hesitation in taking the matter to police as he had played football all his life and never been involved in such a violent incident.

Knox Senior-Constable Angelo Stylianou said any witnesses to the alleged assault should contact police on 98817000.