Iliesa Makita Cama, of Lake Haven, pleaded guilty in July to one count of recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm.

But, despite the magistrate's ruling on Monday, Cama lodged an appeal afterwards against the severity of the sentence.

He's surrendered his passport and will be under strict bail conditions until he fronts Newcastle District Court in December.

Cama, taking the field for the Denman Devils, broke the jaw of Murrurundi Mavericks' forward Ryan Holman during a reserve grade fixture on May 19.

Police told the court the on-field incident occurred in the final minutes of the game - and resulted in the Murrurundi representative being knocked unconscious.

While Cama was sent off - and later given a 13-week suspension from Group 21, Holman was conveyed to Muswellbrook District Hospital and later transferred to John Hunter in Newcastle for further treatment.

He remained there for a week where he underwent surgery for multiple fractures to his jaw.

A number of plates were screwed into his jaw, too.

Hunter Valley Police District then began an investigation after receiving a statement of complaint.

On Monday, June 10, thanks to the assistance of officers from the Tuggerah Lakes Police District, a 27-year-old man was arrested.