A FORMER Bendigo local has been suspended for two weeks by the Geelong Football League for posting “inappropriate” comments on Twitter last night.
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Newton and Chilwell reserves footballer David Symons, 19, and teammate Austin Walker, 25, will miss their team’s finals games for posting comments about North Shore Football Club after their round 17 match.
In the attack, Symons wrote, "Would honestly rather saw off a toe than play against North Shore at North Shore #scum #thugs #cheats #poor".
Walker replied: "Aren't they pathetic never seen such a s--- team mouth off so much plus their fat excuse for an umpire."
Symons then replied: "Mate you will never see a group of 23 blokes with poorer personalities than them, some of the worst humans I've ever seen."
Mr Symons was a student at Girton Grammar School before moving to Geelong to study at Deakin University.
Chief executive officer of the Geelong Football Netball League, Lee Hartman, said the sanction was the first of its type for the league.
“The cyber-safety policy came in at the start of 2011 and this is our first sanction underneath it.
“We think it’s a good policy and it’s important in this day and age. We can’t have players slagging off other clubs or players online.”
Mr Hartman said the players had shown remorse at the tribunal and the suspension would act as a warning to other players.
“It’s up to the clubs and coaches to teach their players about behaving responsibly online," he said.
“I’m sure this will send a message. It’s just reiterating the current AFL stance on the issue.”