Oran Park Gregory Hill Chargers removed from Group 6
A SOUTH west Sydney team have been kicked out of the Group 6 rugby league senior competition, after a series of ugly incidents marred Sunday’s reserve grade grand final.
Macarthur
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ORAN PARK Gregory Hill Chargers have been kicked out of the Group 6 Country Rugby League senior competition, after a series of ugly incidents marred Sunday’s reserve grade grand final at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
The Group 6 board made the sensational decision at an urgent board meeting on Sunday night, disappointed with the behaviour of players in the decider between the Chargers and Mittagong Lions.
Two Chargers players and a Mittagong player were sent from the field following a melee with about 10 minutes remaining, before the match was abandoned with minutes left to play following an out-of-control all-in brawl.
It is alleged a number of players ran onto the field from the bench.
The official post-match presentation also was cancelled.
In a statement to Group 6 clubs, Group 6 CRL executive officer Stephen Hazelton said the incident had “tarnished the 2018 final series”.
“The board believes the type of behaviour from some players, coaching staff, and spectators from these clubs, doesn’t reflect the true Group 6 core values, and what was on display was simply, not our brand of footy,” Hazelton said.
“Sadly, these incidents have caused some people to remember the anti-social behaviour, over celebrating the games played over the weekend.”
Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers director Barry Clark said receiving the punishment from Group 6 CRL was a difficult day for the club.
“It is obviously very disappointing,” he said.
“There is a lot of history between the two clubs from earlier this year which didn’t help on the day.
“A lot of guys from Oran Park are good, hard footy players who just want to play the game.
“To say we are just the bad guys is absolutely ridiculous.”
The Chargers can apply to rejoin the Group 6 CRL competition from next year. If the application is successful an undetermined upfront bond would be required alongside other conditions.
The club also has been stripped of its reserve grade premiership prize money, expected to be between $1500 to $2000, in lieu of a fine.
Footage of the game will be reviewed, with players, spectators and coaching staff cited from either Oran Park Chargers or Mittagong Lions to be summoned for hearings in early October.
Campbelltown City Kangaroos and Warragamba Wombats, grand finalists in the 2nd division competition, also have been fined $4000 each as a result of violence in their grand final on Saturday night at Kirkham Park, Elderslie.