Queensland Footy Player Who Had His Head Kicked Speaks Out

Redcliffe Tigers player Josiah Dantel says his head is feeling “pretty good”, and doesn’t want to take any more action against the Ipswich player who kicked him in the head.

Dantel had his head kicked by Ipswich opponent Liam Tudor in a local game last Saturday, who copped a 20-year ban because of it.

He told Triple M’s Marto, Ed and Robin he’s recovered pretty well, only missing a couple of days of work.

“(It’s been) pretty good,” he said.

“The only reason I’d be getting headaches now is if I overexert myself, doing sprints.

“(There’s) no long term issues around it, but there could be if I did resume in football this week, or had another head knock like that. At the moment it’s all good to go.”

Dantel doesn’t want another punishment dished out, saying the 20-year ban plus the media attention has been enough.

“I don’t want to take it any further,” he admitted.

“I think he’s copped enough. It’s gone national, global-wide, I think he’s embarrassed enough and I’d like to leave it at that.”

He did send Tudor a message during the week, who apologised for the kick.

“After it happened, when I found out from the hospital I wasn’t allowed to play tomorrow, I sent him a message on Facebook, pretty much having a little bit of a chop, but not too much," he told Triple M.

“He did apologise and said if he could turn back time he wouldn’t do it again.”

Dantel said his short-term memory had been a little affected, accidentally telling his girlfriend to “get lost” after the incident after failing to recognise her.

“The only thing I do remember is when the third quarter ended, and she came over and I was in a big huff because I wasn’t allowed to play any more, and she tried to get my attention and I just told her ‘yeah, get lost’,” he said.

“I can’t really remember what I was thinking or anything like that.”