Former St Kilda player Eli Templeton is taking legal action against the Eastern Football League, Balwyn Football Club and Boroondara Council, after he was forced to retire due to a horrific accident suffered on field two years ago.
9News Melbourne's chief football reporter Tom Morris revealed the exclusive details surrounding a one-off game that Templeton played or Balwyn Football Club back in 2022.
Templeton's career was subsequently ended after that game, when he was flung over the fence during that match.
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He was just 26 when he was forced to hang up the boots for good.
"Templeton has launched Supreme Court action, suing not just Balwyn Football Club, but also the Eastern Football League and the City of Boroondara for negligence," Morris said on Friday.
Morris explained the incident, which saw Templeton's life changed forever.
"Templeton alleges the boundary line was too close to the fence, and the drinks table, which he was bumped into, created a hazard, which both failed to comply with AFL and local football regulations.
"He suffered four seizures and two bleeds on the brain, which resulted in permanent damage.
"Templeton's injuries were so horrific that the game (in 2022) was called off immediately, early in the third quarter."
Templeton, who is now 28, has been battling a plethora of ongoing mental and physical health battles.
"The documents I spoke of before reveal Templeton suffers from major depressive disorder with anxiety, among an array of other mental health illnesses," Morris said.
"This case has significant ramifications for local football around the country, and no hearing date has been set."
He played 14 games for the Saints between 2014-2016.
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