Zadkovich's penalty ends a saga which started after his brief physical altercation with Maitland back-up goalkeeper Alex Bozinovski following the 2-2 draw at Cooks Square Park on July 7.

Bozinovski, a former Magic player under Zadkovich, refused to shake the Broadmeadow coach's hand before the game. A second refusal after the match sparked a verbal and physical clash in the caged players' race.

The Newcastle Herald understands Bozinovski knocked Zadkovich's hand away and the coach reacted by grabbing the player by the shirt. The pair were quickly separated.

It is understood representatives from Broadmeadow and Maitland consulted about an appropriate sanction before Magic gave Zadkovich a one-match suspension two weeks later.

Maitland told Northern NSW Football of the incident on July 8 when seeking clarification of the judicial process but an official grievance to the governing body from Bozinovski was not lodged until mid-August.

NNSWF chief David Eland has said that time restrictions on lodging code of conduct complaints could be introduced in light of the case.

"It's definitely something that we will look at next year, putting some time constraints on it," Eland said in August. "We are very disappointed that it's taken Maitland six weeks to simply forward a complaint from their player."

Zadkovich accepted his penalty but believed NNSWF needed to "fix the current complaint process".

"A minor physical altercation occurred in the walk to the sheds after the game," Zadkovich said in a statement.

"The disciplinary committee has made a determination on the incident and I accept that. I will serve the sanction and move on.

"However, before the next season commences, I believe Northern NSW Football should fix the current complaint process.

"CEO David Eland has already said in the media that he is 'very disappointed' about the way the complaint was handled by other parties."

Magic said in late July that Zadkovich would leave his role at season's end to pursue other opportunities.

The former Jets captain, who led Magic for three seasons, has since spent time in Canberra completing his coaching A-licence. He and Edgeworth coach Damian Zane were also guests at the recent Young Socceroos training camp in Newcastle after gaining an invitation from Gary van Egmond.

Clarke, meanwhile, was given a three-game suspension for verbal abuse of NNSWF officials on the pitch following Maitland's grand final loss to Edgeworth.

Like Zadkovich, Clarke was not appealing the ban.

The incident continues a controversial history between Clarke and NNSWF.

Clarke successfully appealed to FFA against a NNSWF suspension for bringing the game into disrepute in 2016.

The charges stemmed from statements Clarke made in the Newcastle Herald following news he was being investigated as the ring-in player in a H-grade all-age semi-final.

He was later given a 12-month ban which was cut to four games after he successfully argued the charge was wrong, before pleading guilty to a new one. NNSWF then imposed a 12-month ban for his earlier statements. That was reduced to eight months on appeal before the FFA decision.

Meanwhile, Alex Read will leave Maitland to join Valentine next season.

The former North Queensland Fury striker was used mostly as a bench weapon for Maitland in their premiership-winning campaign this year.

Read joins Adam Hughes, Danny Ireland, Dain Greentree, Daniel Minors and Harry Lane as recruits for Valentine, who finished a point off bottom spot this season.