A bush footy player from the Central Coast may face a jail sentence after he shattered an opponent’s jaw for calling him a “black dog”.

Iliesa Makita Cama, of Lake Haven, pleaded guilty in Wyong Local Court this morning to one count of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.

The 27-year-old Fijian national was playing reserve grade for the Denman Devils in the Upper Hunter Group 21 rugby league competition against the Murrurundi Mavericks on May 19 when he was tackled by an opponent late in the game.

As he got up to play the ball the father-of-three told police the victim punched him in the left side of the face as he was looking down.

“The accused informed police that the victim had been involved in a number of fights earlier in the match however he had no issues with him,” an agreed set of police facts read.

“The accused stated `just with my reaction I got up and punched him back. I punched him once.

“When he was on the ground then he called me a black dog. That’s when I think it was two or three times that I hit him again.

“It wasn’t my intention to hurt him that bad. It just came out of my reaction. If I could take time back I would apologise to him.”

Other players managed to drag Cama off the victim who was lying unconscious on the ground.

Cama was sent from the field by the referee as his victim, 22-year-old Ryan Holman, lay on the ground for about four minutes.

Mr Holman was rushed to Muswellbrook Hospital before being taken to John Hunter Hospital because of the extent of his injuries.

The following day he underwent surgery for multiple fractures to his jaw.

“During surgery, the victim’s jaw was realigned and held in position with multiple metal plates permanently attached with screws and a bridal wire and arch bars,” the police facts read.

“The victim underwent many other medical procedures including X-rays and brain scanning.”

He remained in the hospital for a week before he was released but he is expected to require further medical procedures and his injuries are “permanent”.

“The accused was noticeably remorseful for his actions and stated that if he could he would apologise to the victim,” police facts read.

Cama, a permanent resident who is looking to become an Australian citizen, did not attend a separate judiciary hearing held by the rugby league competition but sent a representative.

He was given a 13-week suspension, which incensed the close-knit rugby league community of the Upper Hunter.

The victim’s father Craig Holman told www.scone.com.au his son was rendered unconscious while Cama was “punching him in the head”.

“Adults at the game were shocked, but there were kids there too, apparently were crying and some have said they don’t want to play anymore,” Mr Holman said.

Some teams in the Group 21 competition have threatened to boycott any games Cama plays in.

Police facts indicate Cama has played for the Denman Devils since 2014 and was the reserve grade captain/coach.

Cama’s solicitor Joshua Whale asked for a pre-sentence report before successfully applying to have the matter moved to Musswellbrook Local Court on August 8 for sentence.

Cama, who has no criminal history, declined to comment when approached outside court.