NRL NT referees abandon A-Grade match after abuse from the stands

A rugby league A-Grade team’s hopes of a minor premiership have been dealt a major blow after spectator abuse caused refs to abandon a game. Read what happened.

A rugby league A-Grade team’s hopes of a minor premiership have been dealt a major blow after being told they will not receive points as spectator abuse caused refs to abandon a game.

The Darwin Brothers, currently second in the NRL NT men’s premiership, were beating the third placed Palmerston Raiders 28-6 in Round 11.

The Brothers had just scored a try through Hayden Riggs when yells from the crowd caused the game to come to a pause before the tough judges swiftly left the field.

Head referee Paul Devir followed after explaining what was happening to the captains of both sides and then the game was abandoned.

The spectator was from the Darwin Brothers and was banned for four weeks, half of which has been suspended.

However, the big sticking point was whether or not the win would stand for the Brethren with the NRL NT deciding on Friday neither side would earn any points.

It means they are now four points (two wins) behind the Litchfield Bears with just four games left in the season to play.

NRL NT operations manager Sheron McDougall said the code of conduct allowed the league to make the final decision and they deemed Brothers had brought the game into disrepute.

“The referees felt it was severe enough that the game had to be abandoned and clubs are responsible enough for the behaviours of their officials and spectators at all times,” she said.

“I understand Brothers will be disappointed when the players are on the field and the factor is outside of their control but they are responsible for all members of their club.

“The safety and wellbeing of our referees is paramount and we stand by their actions in looking after their team and diffusing the situation by abandoning the game.”

Darwin Brothers president John Adams was contacted for comment.

Refs walk off, abandon match after spectator abuse

Players and fans were left stunned when the match officials at an A-Grade rugby league match marched off the ground midgame following abuse from the sidelines.

The referees walked off with 16 minutes to go in the Round 11 clash between the Darwin Brothers and Palmerston Raiders at TRL Stadium.

It came following a scuffle in the aftermath of a try scored by Brothers’ wing Hayden Riggs, which prompted shouting from the crowds as the officials deliberated the score.

NRL NT general manager Tony Crowe was then heard over the loudspeaker urging those in attendance to remember the rules as the teams waited for the conversion.

However, referee Paul Devir blew the whistle to stop the conversation from being kicked as the outside disturbance was dealt with.

It was then that the touch judges left their position from behind the posts and marched toward the rooms.

Devir followed, spending time to consult the captains from both sides on what had happened.

It’s the second time this season a Darwin Brothers spectator has been at the centre of an incident involving the referees bringing the game to a halt.

Last month, a spectator was banned for 30 months for hurling insults at the officials and Litchfield Bears players.

TRL Stadium in Darwin. Picture: Patch Clapp / NRL NT

At that stage the game was paused for about six minutes before resuming after security and officials settled the situation.

This time however the match was abandoned with the Brothers leading 28-6 and with 16 minutes left on the clock.

NRL NT operations manager Sheron McDougall said the spectator in question had been removed from the stadium.

“It’s a gravely disappointing occurrence where the matter will be dealt with through the code of contact and judiciary process,” McDougall said.

“We need to remember this is sport, people come here for enjoyment and any poor behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We’re working with club presidents and representatives to promote positive interactions with all people in rugby league.

“We love the tribalism of our club rugby league but it has to be respectful, and with the referees they are doing their job, they have the training and need to be given the due respect.”

Brothers’ president John Adams said the incident was incredibly frustrating following the club’s efforts to build a positive image for itself.

“From a club perspective we’re incredibly disappointed, it’s taken a number of years to tidy our house and put a positive image across,” he said.

“We’re doing a good job of that with what we can control but we have certain people in the crowd that think they can yell abuse and the club doesn’t tolerate that.

“We’re with the league 100 per cent, we don’t want this in our game and we don’t want it at our club.

“It’s disappointing, there was nothing on the field, the game was played in good spirits and there were certain members in the crowd who thought they could abuse the touch judges and ref.”

Originally published as NRL NT referees abandon A-Grade match after abuse from the stands