Dora Creek v West Walsend footy brawl: NSWRL investigation into player, spectator clash complete
New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) imposed penalties and conditions on Dora Creek rugby league club following a vicious brawl after their match against West Wallsend last month. It includes reviewing security for their home ground.
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A Hunter rugby league club will be forced to review security at games, refuse entry to any banned spectators no matter what venue and are prohibited from holding any home games for the remainder of the 2020 season following a vicious brawl between players and spectators at their grounds last month.
The NSW Rugby League (NSWRL) has completed its investigation into the incident at Neville Thompson Oval on September 19 which erupted on the final whistle between Dora Creek and West Wallsend rugby league clubs.
The confronting footage of the fight - shared across social media - showed players and spectators involved in the violent melee as families and children watched on.
Tyson Leota, of New Lambton - who played for West Wallsend - was charged with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm over the incident.
A court heard he went to the aid of a teammate who was being attacked following a series of racial slurs.
Following the brawl, the NSWRL immediately stood down five West Wallsend players from any involvement in rugby league and terminated the team from the Newcastle and Hunter Community Football competition for the season.
An interim breach notice was also handed to Dora Creek rugby league club preventing them from playing home games while the matter was being investigated.
On Friday, the organisation handed down a final breach notice to Dora Creek RLFC for failing to control their supporters in line with the code of conduct.
There were also a number of penalties imposed and conditions attached which the club must comply with for the 2021 season to remain in the competition.
They are prohibited from holding any further Rugby League matches at Neville Thompson Oval, Dora Creek, for the 2020 competition and until further notice by the NSWRL.
They must identify all spectators involved in the brawl, provide evidence as to how they will ensure a strict COVID-19 plan, conduct a review into Neville Thompson oval to provide security at games, and form a ground management team who have specific roles on match days.
In addition, Dora Creek RLFC are required to register as a ‘Racism it stops with me’ campaign supporter to customise resources, training and support by March next year, implement principles of the Good Supporters Program and ensure banned supporters are refused entry to any matches, no matter the venue.
NSWRL chief executive David Trodden thanked all of those involved for their cooperation with the investigation of the regrettable incident.
“We have zero tolerance for behaviour that threatens the safety of participants, officials and spectators and incidents like these are contrary to the standards of any community sport,” Trodden said.
“We have a duty to eradicate this sort of behaviour from our game so that those who play and/or attend community sport can enjoy it and do so without any concerns or fears.”