Brendan Fevola, former star of the Carlton Football Club, recently returned to local footy with South Whyalla but found himself sent off during a match against Central Whyalla at Memorial Oval in South Australia. The incident unfolded when a minor altercation between the 44-year-old and an opposing player escalated into a brawl, resulting in punches being thrown. Fevola was shown a yellow card and escorted from the field.
In an interview with Melbourne’s The Fox radio station, Fevola revealed that prior to this match, he had little knowledge of Whyalla, but expressed that his experience was surprisingly enjoyable. He noted, “I only kicked two (goals), but I kicked like seven points,” adding that the scuffle was intense, likening it to UFC fights. Despite the drama, he described the day as a highlight, calling it “awesome.”
Fevola has a history of on-field controversies and suspensions from his playing days in the AFL. Nevertheless, the South Whyalla club has hailed his involvement as a significant moment for both the team and the local community. Officials noted their satisfaction with his contribution, despite the sending-off, and he was not penalised further by the umpires.
In addition to his recent match, Fevola had previously participated in a game for the Masala Dandenong Football Club in May alongside singer Guy Sebastian, who unfortunately sustained a serious knee injury during that outing.
Between 1999 and 2010, Fevola played 204 AFL games for Carlton and Brisbane. His career at Carlton came to a tumultuous end when he was traded at the conclusion of the 2009 season, largely due to his notorious behaviour during the Brownlow Medal ceremony that year.