Footy great is busted breaking a family violence order by reacting to a photo with a love-heart emoji

A former West Coast Eagles premiership player was fined $700 on Tuesday after the 45-year-old was found to have breached a family violence restraining order by liking a photo on social media and sending a text message to a woman.

David Wirrpanda, who made 227 appearances for the Eagles between 1996 and 2009, appeared in Perth Magistrates Court after having been charged with four breaches of the order.

Two of the charges were discontinued by the prosecutors, while the 2006 premiership winner pleaded guilty to the remaining two offences.

He was subsequently given a $700 fine and ordered to pay $156 in court costs. Magistrate Lynette Dias said that the offence was on the ‘lower end of the scale’ and Wirrapanda was also granted a spent conviction.

Police had previously claimed that the offences took place on October 11 and 12 where he had made contact with a woman who is known to him.

David Wirrpanda, who made 227 appearances for the Eagles between 1996 and 2009 and won a premiership with the West Coast

According to The West Australian, counsel for the 45-year-old claimed that the former footy star had received a notification regarding a photo from the woman on social media. He had liked the photo by sending a ‘love heart’ emoji.

Wirrapanda, who was named National NAIDOC Person of the Year for his charity work, is also alleged to have sent a text message to the woman, saying: ‘Sorry I’ll be in trouble, but my love is way too strong. Sorry, I’ll take it when it comes.’

After being drafted in 1995 by the West Coast, Wirrapanda is still the youngest player to have ever made a senior AFL game for the Eagles, making his debut at just 16 years and 268 days old in round five of the 1996 season.

His lawyers had also said the former footy star was ‘extremely embarrassed’ by the incident and added he ‘knew he shouldn’t have done it.’

During the hearing, Wirrapanda’s lawyers claimed that the 45-year-old had no previous offences, barring a traffic record. They also pointed to his charity work for the Waalitj Foundation and that he ran his own business.

His lawyers had also said the former footy star was ‘extremely embarrassed’ by the incident and added he ‘knew he shouldn’t have done it

The Waalitj Foundation aims to help provide Indigenous youth with greater education and employment opportunities. It was founded in 2005 and has reached over 60,000 people since its inception.

His business, Wirrapanda Supplies, also invests in the future’s of Indigenous people and produces sustainable cleaning products.

Speaking on the case, Magistrate Dias said: ‘The orders are made for a reason to protect vulnerable members of the community.

‘The breach has involved you loving photos and sending the text message.’