Mt Barker colts coach Ryan Ballard to front tribunal on misconduct charge

Mt Barker colts coach Ryan Ballard has been sent to a Great Southern Football League tribunal, after the league completed their investigation into an incident involving his team on August 30. Ballard is expected to front a tribunal hearing next week after being charged with misconduct for taking his colts team from the field of play during the final quarter of their match against Railways in round 8 at Tigerland. With about five minutes to play in the fourth quarter, the Bulls colts players came together near their coaches dugout and their entire team walked up the race and away from the ground. GSFL president Joe Burton said Ballard would have the chance to defend himself at the tribunal. “He has been charged with misconduct for taking a team from the field,” Burton said. “That was the outcome decided on by the investigator. “It will go to a tribunal now.” Burton said it was hoped the tribunal will sit next week to deal with Ballard’s charge. Mt Barker Football Club initially were dealing with the incident before handing it over to the GSFL, who then appointed an investigator to review the entire incident. After the Bulls colts walk-off, the field umpires spoke with opposition team Railways and allowed the match to continue albeit with one team left on the oval. The Tigers players kicked the ball around to themselves and did not score for the last couple of minutes without their opposition. The Bulls lost the match by 84 points and finished last on the ladder in the five-team colts competition, missing out on the finals.