NRL bush footy: Dora Creek Swampies set for Central Coast move to avoid “disgusting” social media abuse, racism

The most controversial team in country rugby league – the Dora Creek Swampies – are set to sensationally quit the Newcastle Upper Hunter competition, amid allegations of abuse, racism, and collusion.

The most controversial team in country rugby league – Dora Creek Swampies – are poised to dramatically quit the Newcastle Upper Hunter competition amid “disgusting” allegations of social media abuse, game day attacks, racism, hypocrisy and forfeits.

Dora Creek coach David Hoban and his club’s players have endured being called “parasites” – and told to ‘f … k off back to Dora Creek’ – from rival fans and clubs with the Swampies’ Fijian wingers being subjected to “monkey” taunts.

Angry at his club’s treatment, Hoban plans to defect and play in The Central Coast competition from next season.

The Dora Creek Swampies are set to abandon the Newcastle Upper Hunter competition and move to The Central Coast

This masthead revealed Dora Creek’s plight this season in August, the club being forced to endure six forfeits in 14 games against teams claiming the Swampies were semi-professional.

Despite the drama, Dora Creek defeated Waratah in the grand final, the club’s fourth premiership in five seasons.

Angry rival clubs refused to play Dora Creek given the club’s success and robust playing roster.

“All the players have had enough of the social media abuse and the verbal attacks at games,” said Hoban, a former Manly Sea Eagles five-eighth. “The behaviour of some rival clubs towards us was disgusting.

Dora Creek Swampies coach Dave Hoban says the players have had enough of social media abuse and ‘disgusting verbal attacks from rival clubs.

“There were personal attacks on me. One guy from Windale called me a parasite and to ‘f..k off back to Dora Creek’. I don’t even know the person – why would you say that?

“The verbal attacks on our players was something you just can’t explain.

“We had Fijians on the wing and some were calling them ‘monkeys’ and that they ‘looked like Tarzan but played like Jane’. It was wrong.

“We just want to get out.

“Other clubs complaining about us paying players is hypocritical because they have been paying players. Those teams want us gone completely.

“We have made a decision that we cannot continue to work in this environment and the players couldn’t withstand that constant abuse and forfeits.

“The decision is in the best interests of the club moving forward and we believe is going to be a great decision. We want to go to a better standard of rugby league.”

Asked for his parting comment at the Newcastle Upper Hunter competition, given the Swampies incredible on-field success, Hoban said: “At least it now gives someone else a chance to win the competition.”

The Dora Creek Swampies believe they could field full teams across the board by making the move.

Dora Creek believes the club could field first grade, reserve grade, open grade, under 19s and ladies tackle by moving to The Central Coast.

The Swampies have applied to join The Central Coast competition and hope to be accepted on December 1.

“I can confirm we are applying to go into The Central Coast competition,” Hoban said. “We are waiting for applications to open on December 1.

“We just want to go and play in a very professional, well run, organised competition. We sit in the middle of Newcastle and Central Coast so there won’t be too much extra travel for our players.

“The interest from potential players that want to play with us if we do get accepted into The Central Coast competition has been amazing.

“We believe by going we can grow our club by 30 to 40 per cent in terms of teams we can enter into the competitions. If we are accepted, we believe we can field five teams.

“We have been planning on making this move even before we reached this year’s grand final.”

Newcastle Upper Hunter officials are aware of the Swampies plan to leave.