Brendan Fevola has opened up on what really happened during his viral on-field scuffle during a local footy game this weekend, with the Blues legend claiming that it was all ‘just a bit of fun’.
In the true spirit of the game, the former Brisbane Lions star also revealed that he had had a beer with the opposition players he had feuded with after the match.
Fevola, 44, ran out for South Whyalla on Saturday afternoon as they took on South Australian rivals Central Whyalla.
The two-time Coleman Medallist enjoyed a fine outing, booting two goals for the side as the Souths sealed a two-point win over their rivals.
However, during the game tempers flared as Fevola appeared to be pushed in the back by one of the Central Whyalla defenders.
And he didn’t take kindly to the action, turning around to shove his opponent a big shove, before several other players from both teams ran in as the brawl escalated.
Brendan Fevola (right) was embroiled in a wild tussle during a local footy match on Saturday
The Carlton great has laughed off the exchange though stating that it was ‘just a bit of fun’
Speaking on the Fifi, Fev and Nick show, the former footy star said that he had gone into the sheds after the match and enjoyed a beer with the opposition players he’d feuded with
The group continued to tussle, with Fevola finding himself on the floor at one point, before he was sent to the sin bin by the umpire, despite being awarded a free kick.
Speaking on Tuesday morning’s The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick, Brendan ‘Fev’ Fevola show, Fevola was pressed on whether he feels like he is targeted when he turns out to play local footy, but laughed off the question and media reports surrounding the scuffle.
‘The guys go (for) you,’ Fifi said to Fevola. ‘From my perspective, the guy’s pushed you in the back, you turned around and retaliated.’
Fevola replied: ‘We just had a little scuffle!
‘I don’t know how this is actually news because it’s quite funny!
‘This would go on in every single local footy game across Australia every Saturday.’
Nick then added: ‘Your head would be an absolute magnet. But there would be people that go, ‘Oh, Fev’s come over to South Australia for a game… I’m gonna try and whack him.’
Since retiring, Fevola, who made 204 AFL appearances, has played for a number of local footy sides, from Waratah in the Northern Territory Footy League to Yarrawonga in Victoria.
Brendan Fevola (pictured centre, holding a football) kicked two crucial goals as he helped a struggling South Australian footy club on the weekend
Speaking on the radio show, Fevola added that the president of the Central Whallaya football club had apologised to him
Back in May, he and Guy Sebastian notably ran out for Masala Dandenong’s reserves.
Being such a high-profile figure in the sport, Fevola noticed that some players were trying to get under his skin during Saturday’s match.
‘It was happening all day, but it very rarely happens,’ the radio host said.
‘The only time I got hit properly was a game I played in Monbulk – I got king hit.
‘[This has] gone viral but it was just a little scuffle.
‘No one was hurt and it was a bit of fun. The guy I was scuffling with came up to me, shook my hand, and said: “How good is country footy?”, and I was like: “The best!”, and then we had a beer together.
‘I got a message from the President of the other club – his name is Scott – and he said: “Just want to apologise on behalf of the Central Whyalla Football Club for the weekend, the run-in from behind mostly.
“The run-in was pretty ordinary stuff and was no good from our bloke. I’m the President of the Club and was the full-forward at the other end.
Fevola also lifted the lid on being targeted when he plays local footy, but said that it doesn’t happen that often
“I haven’t seen a minor game crowd like that at Whyalla almost ever, so no doubt it was a massive success for the league, so just want to shout you out, mate.
‘Apologies again, from the CWFC President. You’ve come out to this small town in South Australia so congratulations to you.”
‘Oh, that’s really nice!’ Fifi replied.
Nick then joked at the comment, adding: ‘I’ve heard of player-coaches before, but I’ve never heard of president and current full-forward!’
