The two "high profile" players at the centre of the brawl were slapped with four-match suspensions under the club's players' code of conduct, while three other players were given one-match bans.

The club declined to name the players involved in the incident, which happened at a non-club function at Daylesford's Royal Hotel.

Following an extraordinary committee meeting last night, the club also announced its senior list would undergo drug and alcohol awareness training.

DFC committee secretary Kate Redwood said the suspensions would put other players on notice that breaches of the club's code would not be tolerated.

"The committee expressed its concern to see the code of conduct respected and felt that with the harsh penalties issued this sends a message regarding future proper behaviour," Ms Redwood said.

In a tumultuous night for the club, the committee also appointed a new president, long-standing committee member Wayne Evans. He was elected unopposed.

Mr Evans' election came after the club's former chief Barry Phypers quit the post at the weekend after he was abused by Bulldogs reserves players while umpiring a game.

But in better news for Daylesford, the club's major sponsor, Royal Hotel owner Wayne Sharp, said his support would not be affected by the incident.