LEXTON Plains Football League club Navarre is yet to decide whether to call for an independent investigation into an on-field incident in which one of its players suffered a skull fracture on Sunday.
James Watts was yesterday resting at home in Melbourne after being injured in an incident against Carngham-Linton in the senior second semi-final at Rokewood.
The match was delayed for 40 minutes in the third quarter to allow paramedics time to travel to the ground and transport Watts to Ballarat Health Services Base Hospital.
Navarre president Wayne Driscoll, who played in the match, said Watts had a depressed fracture at the bottom of the right side of his skull, near the jaw.
Driscoll said Watts had been released from hospital late Sunday night.
He said while the 22-year-old was able to go home, Watts was still bleeding from an ear yesterday and scheduled to see a specialist for a further examination.
Driscoll said Watts' health was the club's first priority.
He said although Watts was up and about, he would be given time to recover as much as possible before there were any formal discussions as to whether Navarre pursued the matter by requesting the LPFL carry out an investigation.
"He has to get his health right first.
"We'll give him some space then we'll talk to him and his parents," Driscoll said.
There was no report out of the incident.
Under Victorian Country Football League rules, Navarre has four days to call for an investigation.
However, the LPFL does have the power to grant an extension if requested.
Carngham-Linton president Dave Linane had no comment to make on the issue.
LPFL chief executive officer Rod Ward said there was no place in football for incidents requiring investigations.
"While I cannot comment on this match, no one wants to see incidents which deter people from getting involved in football.
"We want to encourage more people to football," he said.
"We don't need football being highlighted for the wrong reasons," Ward said.
Carngham-Linton defeated Navarre by 63 points to end the Grasshoppers' season.
The reigning premier now meets Rokewood-Corindhap in the preliminary final at Natte Yallock on Saturday.
CARNGHAM-Linton defender James Rayner will miss the preliminary final after deciding to take a one-match set penalty.
He was reported for having struck Navarre's Ben Scott on Sunday.
If the Saints get the better of Rokewood-Corindhap, Rayner will be available for the grand final.
Skipton is already through to the grand final to be played at Learmonth on Saturday, September 5.
Ballarat Courier Photograph: Navarre's James Watts is treated on the ground after suffering a skull fracture during Sunday's CHFL semi-final clash with Carngham-Linton. Picture: Daniel Hartley-Allen
Last Modified on 24/02/2010 23:28