Matty Johns reacts to junior rugby league grand final brawl between Avalon and Beacon Hill

AN investigation will be held into a junior rugby league brawl described as ‘thuggery’. Former NRL star Matty Johns was there and said “every chance” it would become a “police matter”.

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JUNIOR rugby league officials may cite players caught up in a horror brawl after planning to view footage of Sunday’s under-17 grand final between Avalon and Beacon Hill on Monday night.

The violence between the rival players erupted at the end of the Brookvale Oval game won at the death by Avalon 21-20 and has resulted in accusations of players being kicked and targeted by racist abuse.

Screenshots from the brawl. Credit: Facebook/Northern Beaches News

It is understood the video will show exactly what sparked the fight that lasted for between three and four minutes

Allegations include a player being kicked in the head after he was knocked to the ground during the incident.

“It is unacceptable behaviour and won’t be tolerated by the junior rugby league,” declared Manly junior president Michael Covey.

He said once offenders are identified by the Manly-Warringah Junior Rugby League board the clubs will be issued with charge sheets for the players to appear before the judiciary.

Mr Covey witnessed part of the melee.

“Any disruption on a field before, during or after a game is not good,” he said

“Fulltime was virtually called and then the scuffle broke out.

“I am not happy with the incident at the end of that game.”

The incident occured at Broovale Oval.

Media personality and former NRL star Matt Johns was at the game where his son Cooper was playing for Avalon.

“It resulted in a young player laying on the ground for 10-15 minutes with the ambulance called,” Johns told Triple M this morning.

“There is every chance this won’t be a junior league matter, it will be a police matter.

“It will be an ongoing story.”

Another witness to the fracas, who has a long association with rugby league, described it as the worst incident he has seen in junior football on the northern beaches.

“It was just thuggery,” the witness told the Manly Daily.

“There were two or three onto one.

Former NRL star and radio personality Matty Johns was at the game.

“I didn’t see any kicking but apparently a lot of other people did.”

An Avalon player was knocked in the melee but he was reportedly fine.

The witness said none of the reserve players from either team had got involved in the melee nor did any spectators.

A Beacon Hill supporter also came out strongly to refute suggestions on social media that the team was made up of players who had been bussed in from the western suburbs each weekend.

“Only four players in the squad come from outside the area and the others have been playing together for years,” he said.

“There is no bus for any Beacon Hill side and the club is not involved in any of that, and neither is Manly.

“It is a total load of rubbish.”

“We will review the video before any formal charge sheets will be issued in relation to that game,” Mr Covey added.