Former Collingwood player Jason Cloke spent overnight in hospital after getting coward punched by Burleigh Bombers’ Karem Baskaya amid ugly scenes in an AFL Masters Queensland Over-35s game.
Queensland Police are investigating the incident that caused Saturday’s game between Broadbeach Cats, where Cloke is co-captain and coach, and Burleigh Bombers to be called off by umpires.
After reviewing the umpires report, AFL Masters Queensland graded the hit as intentional contact, severe impact and high contract. It’s been referred directly to the AFL Queensland Tribunal for a Wednesday night hearing expected to result in a heavy ban.
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The incident occurred in the second quarter after a scuffle broke out between the two sides following a late hit from Cloke to Baskaya’s brother, Kain, that was deemed a downfield free kick.
It’s alleged Cloke was struck multiple times during the melee before Karem Baskaya went back and hit Cloke in the face with an elbow.
Cloke, 42, was sent to Pindara Private Hospital, with ambulance and police in attendance. He declined transport to hospital and is believed to have been taken by friends or family.
Cloke spent the night in hospital under observation and underwent a CT scan due to head injuries. He posted photos to his Instagram story from hospital which have since been deleted at the league’s request.
Kain Baskya was also admitted to hospital on Sunday with swelling on his brain.
Bans of 16 weeks or more result in a lifetime suspension.
It’s understood the AFL has made contact with AFL Masters Queensland.
Cloke’s younger brother and fellow ex-Magpie, Cameron, was last year forced into retirement from footy at all levels after being the victim of an off-ball hit in the Eastern Football League that resulted in an eight-week ban to Boronia captain Harry Burgess.
Burleigh Masters 35’s coach Mathew Simpson in a statement said it’s “both unfortunate and disappointed’ that Broadbeach Cats “omitted details” on the incident.
“Firstly the Burleigh Bombers Masters would like to send their well wishes to Kain Baskaya who was hit late and after the play by Jason Cloke. This resulted in Kain Baskaya being admitted to hospital with swelling to the brain,” Simpson said in the statement.
“This incident then trigged a melee which resulted in Jason Cloke being hit to the head. Video footage will show that it was not a “coward” punch, as Jason is trying to allege, rather there were a number of players involved. In fact, the player (Karem) who hit Jason was on the ground with three Broadbeach players on top of him prior to the incident.
“A late hit will always see players protect their own, particularly when it is your own brother, who was the player initially
hit by Cloke, after having several years out of football due to a head injury from a similar late hit.”
AFL Masters Queensland president Sam French said earlier on Sunday the league was awaiting an umpire report before it could take further action.
“Under our guidelines we’re awaiting the umpire report and once received we’ll then determine whether we refer it straight to the tribunal or the match review panel,” French said in a statement to foxfooty.com.au.
“We understand the police have been contacted regarding the incident. Until that investigation concludes, we have nothing more to comment on the matter.”
Source Agencies
