South Eastern Predators president sues Gridiron Victoria over an allegedly defamatory email

The charges included “the use of threatening language to other person [sic], disputing decisions, harassment, insulting language, verbal/written abuse, bringing the game into disrepute, frivolous, mischievous or without substance, tribunal requests, theft of and misuse of state team monies collected (since paid)” .

“Matthew Herridge, president of the Southeastern Predators, is to receive a five-year suspended sentence with a five-year ban for next offence and a lifetime ban for a next offence after that,” the letter stated.

According to the writ, a copy of the letter addressed to Herridge was then sent from Gridiron Victoria’s admin email address and distributed to six board members within the organisation on February 23.

The legal action, submitted by M Joseph & Associates-Melbourne Defamation Lawyers, said the email was defamatory of Herridge in that it “meant and was understood to mean that: a. Matthew Herridge is a thief. b. There are reasonable grounds to suggest that Matthew Herridge has
stolen money he was entrusted to keep and used it for the benefits of one of the state teams.”

The documents also say the email implied Herridge had “used threatening language, harassment and verbal abuse to attack” two rival clubs on social media, and had “bullied on Facebook members of the league, board members and officials”.

Herridge’s legal team said their client had suffered reputational damage that impacted his role with Dingley Village Financial Services (DVFS) and also his future employment opportunities.

The writ said Herridge was investigated by DVFS and banned from attending any activities or events run by or on behalf of DVFS and later resigned from his position as director within the organisation.

Herridge’s legal team said they had sent a concerns notice to Gridiron Victoria and were seeking damages. Gridiron Victoria have not yet submitted a defence to the County Court in response.

When contacted by The Age, former Gridiron Victoria president Spence said he had stepped down in 2025.

“I can’t comment on specifics of the case; however, I can say all due processes from Gridiron’s Victoria’s constitution were followed to the letter and overseen by American Football Australia, the national governing body,” he said.