Shontelle Stowers, NRLW star player cleared of punching former teammate in face at Manly pub
A pioneer of the NRL women’s competition, who has also played for Australia in rugby union, had to defend a charge she punched a former teammate in the face at the pub.
Manly
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One of the biggest names in women’s rugby league has successfully defended herself in court after she was charged with punching a former teammate in the face during a late night out at the pub.
Shontelle Stowers, signed with the Parramatta Eels, had her charges dropped after pleading not guilty to belting Caitlin Keefe, who she used to play with a the North Sydney Bears, at Manly’s Ivanhoe Hotel.
Stowers, one of the pioneers of the NRLW who has played for five NRLW clubs; was picked for NSW in State of Origin and represented Australia at rugby union and Rugby 7s, appeared in Manly Local Court on Monday, charged with common assault.
Police alleged that Stowers, who has done NRLW commentary on Fox Sport, struck Keefe, a former close friend and teammate at the Bears, to the side of the face with a closed fist after telling her “don’t you think we’re f****** friends”.
The court heard both women had been drinking.
Stowers, 36, of Dee Why, told Manly court that she had a “falling out” with Keefe in 2021, but denies she punched her at 2.30am on July 10 at the Ivanhoe.
She said she had only pushed Keefe away with her right hand to the top of her chest after Keefe had leaned in close to her face and had grabbed her “by the scruff of the neck”.
“She definitely threatened my space,” Stowers said in court.
“I’m a strong person.
“I know what damage can be done.
“I don’t throw my fists at anyone.”
Keefe told the court she was not injured during the incident and there was no bruising to her face.
Another former teammate and NRLW player, Shenai Lendill, who was at the pub, gave evidence she saw what she thought was Stowers “swing at Caitlin” and hit her somewhere around her neck region.
She conceded though that it could have been a push.
The court was told the friendship ended in 2021 when Stowers and Keefe had a disagreement about the way Stowers had treated Keefe’s new partner by being rude to her during social occasions.
The paths of Stowers and Keefe crossed in the pub during an unofficial end-of-year drinks event for the North Sydney Bears’ women's team. The event had started earlier that night at the Hotel Steyne in Manly before moving to the Ivanhoe.
Stowers said she had been asked to attend the drinks at the Steyne by a manager at the Bears and another Bears’ player with whom she had been having dinner with at Dee Why earlier in the evening.
When questioned, Stowers agreed that she and Keefe’s friendship had dwindled and that she had distanced herself from her former teammate.
She also conceded she did approach Keefe and tell her “don't you think we’re f******* friends.”
Magistrate Robert Williams said the court could not be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that Stowers had punched Keefe.
He dismissed the case.
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