Lawton was suspended for five games by the AFL Riverina independent tribunal on Thursday night for his involvement in the quarter-time brawl at Ganmain Sportsground two weeks ago.

The five-game suspension takes Lawton past the infamous 16-game mark that results in a life ban through AFL’s Deregistration Policy.

It means the career of Lawton, regarded as arguably the best player in the Riverina, is over at age 25, subject to appeal.

A devastated Lawton disagrees with the suspensions imposed on he and Lions teammate Adam Cullen for their role in the brawl.

“I think it’s unfair. I feel pretty let down,” Lawton said.

“I don’t know where to lay the blame but I just feel as though Adam and I have been let down.

“We were just out there to play the game. We had no real power over the situation.”

Lawton believes the tribunal failed to take into account exceptional circumstances. Lawton’s father Jed, who was not long out of hospital, had become involved in a fight with Leeton-Whitton supporters and he rushed in to help him.

“There were exceptional circumstances and I don’t think they accounted for that in their penalty,” he said.

“I know I shouldn’t have been involved. If it wasn’t my Dad there I wouldn’t even have raised an eyebrow. But the fact it was my Dad, who a couple of weeks ago had been intensive care, I couldn’t just watch that.”

Lawton is going to wait to hear from the AFL before determining his next course of action.

With two children under the age of two, football is everything to Lawton. He had not put a foot wrong in the two years he had been back at GGGM.

“I was starting to go so well. It had been two years without a hiccup,” he said.

“Football is my whole life. I wouldn’t be where I am, or the person I am, without it.

“I would definitely be a lot worse off.”