’Reckless’ vandals cause damage to Moranbah sports field

Moranbah Bulldogs AFC has been the target of vandals less than two years after a similar incident

Damage to the Moranbah Bulldogs AFC field at the Eastern Sporting Reserve. Photo: Contributed

For the second time in as many years, the Moranbah Bulldogs' AFL Mackay season preparations have been dealt a cruel blow by thoughtless vandals.

Between the hours of 5pm on December 30 and 4pm on December 31, vandals caused extensive and costly damage to the club's Aussie rules field at the Eastern Sporting Reserve.

The vandals allegedly drove a vehicle onto the field, leaving numerous tyre tracks and digging up pitches.

They also ripped a sign from the wall of one of the club buildings.

It follows a similar act of vandalism to the same fields in June 2019, which forced the club to relocate its Breast Cancer Awareness Round match.

 

Damage to the Moranbah Bulldogs AFC field at the Eastern Sporting Reserve. Photo: Contributed

 

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Moranbah Bulldogs AFC president Stephen Thompson condemned the act and questioned why anyone would want to cause wilful damage to a facility that provided so much to the community.

"Growing up … it was unheard of and sacrilege to do that to your local footy club," he said.

"It's clearly someone who is not involved in a team sport or doesn't understand the value of it.

"It's disappointing. It's the second time something like this has happened in two years."

Senior Sergeant Adam Dyer also expressed frustration at the act of vandalism.

"Such behaviour is reckless and completely thoughtless and those responsible have committed criminal offences by doing so," he said.

Thompson said, thankfully, Isaac Regional Council had already started preparations to repair the damaged fields and anticipated the vandalism would not have too great an impact on the club's pre-season plans.

"We're kicking off next Tuesday, which will give us some time to bed-in," he said.

"With the rain we've had and some sunshine I suspect we'll have some new grassroots by then."

Moranbah Police are following up positive lines of inquiry in relation to the wilful damage caused to the grounds and the club building.

Officers are appealing for any witnesses or persons with knowledge of this incident to contact them.

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If you have information for police, contact Policelink 24 hours per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or phone 131 444. You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24 hours per day or phone [phone]. Quote this reference number: QP2100003471 within the online suspicious activity form.

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