Footballer rejects kneeing allegation

Collie Eagles captain Matthew Drew Blackford will fight an allegation he intentionally kneed a 32-year-old opponent in the face during a game in Collie last year after pleading not guilty to a grievous bodily harm charge in Bunbury Magistrate’s Court last Friday.

Blackford was supported in court by a contingent of family and friends and entered his plea without lawyer Terry Dobson, who was scheduled to speak via audio-link.

Magistrate Malcolm Fisher released Blackford on bail – a $1000 personal undertaking and $1000 surety – and he will next appear in court on Wednesday, April 16, for a status conference.

Blackford was also forbidden from contacting the victim or going within 100m of him.

He was charged by Bunbury police on September 14 last year over an alleged assault on a player from the Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault Football Club during a South West Football League game on August 31.

Police will allege Blackford kneed the player in the face shortly after the pair were involved in a tackle.

The victim required surgery to repair serious facial injuries sustained during the incident, including a broken jaw and fractured eye socket.

The case was the subject of an unprecedented WA Supreme Court challenge in September last year when, in a rare Sunday sitting, a bail condition forbidding Blackford from playing football, was dismissed.

He subsequently led the Collie Eagles to the South West Football League grand final where his side was beaten by Eaton.

Blackford appeared before the SWFL tribunal in September last year but in keeping with league policy, the matter was adjourned until after it is dealt with by the court.

Blackford’s not guilty plea was expected after his lawyer indicated he would fight the charge at a hearing in November last year.