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Jess Koopman, 27, was airlifted to hospital and is in an induced coma
Key member of the AFL team coached by Geelong great Steve Johnson
Two men arrested, one for supplying manufactured fireworks
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Players from a footy team coached by AFL great Steve Johnson are reeling after one of their stars was seriously injured in an explosion during premiership celebrations on Tuesday night.
A man, 45, has since been charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury and possession of an explosive substance.
Another man, 25, was also arrested and is assisting police with their investigation.
Emergency services were called to Dunlop Street in Yarrawonga, 275km northeast of Melbourne, at 11.15pm after 27-year-old Jess Koopman suffered serious facial injuries.
It followed an attempt to set off fireworks during celebrations of the Pigeons’ Ovens and Murray League premiership win against Albury on Sunday.
A footy team coached by AFL great Steve Johnson (pictured) are reeling after one of their star players was seriously injured following an explosion during premiership celebrations
Emergency services were called to Yarrawonga, 275km northeast of Melbourne, after Jess Koopman (right) suffered serious facial injuries
Koopman (pictured, centre) was all smiles after winning the premiership for Yarrawonga on Sunday
Koopman was transported to hospital with serious injuries and is still in an induced coma.
Police will allege that the 45-year-old man supplied commercial-grade fireworks, which injured Koopman.
The man was arrested on Wednesday after police searched his house.
He will appear in the Wangaratta Magistrates Court on December 4.
Yarrawonga football manager Leigh Ramsdale said he believed Koopman was in a critical condition when he was flown to Melbourne.
“It was critical, but we don’t have a clear indication of his health yet,” he said News Corp.
‘He is on a ventilator, they are concerned about his airways, eyes and facial injuries.
“It didn’t sound good.”
It comes after Koopman played a big role in the Pigeons’ victory over Albury in the grand final on Sunday.
Led by former three-time Geelong premiership player Steven Johnson, the team won by four points to claim their first premiership since 2013.