NRL stars plead not guilty to charges over alleged fight outside Canberra nightclub

Two NRL stars charged with multiple offences after allegedly getting into a fight outside a nightclub have fronted court.

Two NRL stars who got into an alleged scuffle outside a nightclub during a birthday celebration will fight their respective charges in court.

South Sydney Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell and Canberra Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton arrived at the ACT Magistrates Court together on Wednesday less than three weeks after they were arrested.

The two Australian World Cup stars were out celebrating Mr Wighton’s 30th birthday when police allegedly caught them wrestling outside a venue in central Canberra about 3.45am on February 5.

There appeared to be no bad blood between the pair as they appeared in court a week before the NRL season starts on March 2.

Mr Mitchell and Mr Wighton, who are good friends and distant cousins, seemed relaxed as they each pleaded not guilty to multiple offences.

Latrell Mitchell arrives at court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Jack Wighton has been charged with two offences. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The players were arrested and charged over an incident outside a Canberra nightclub. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Mr Mitchell, 25, has been charged with fighting in a public place, affray, and resisting a territory public official.

Mr Wighton has been charged with fighting in a public place and failing to comply with an exclusion direction.

The magistrate removed Mr Mitchell and Mr Wighton’s bail conditions — meaning they will no longer have to report to police — and set down a three-day hearing for later this year after the NRL season wraps up.

The pair are set to play from next week, with the code’s integrity unit not expected to make a decision on any possible punishment before their criminal matters are finalised.

The players appeared friendly with each other outside court. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Neither player spoke to media as they exited the court together, getting into the same car. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

The court hearing came a week before the NRL season starts. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gary Ramage

Neither of the players spoke to the reporters and camera crews who swamped them as they left the court and got into the same waiting silver Lexus on Wednesday.

Mr Mitchell’s barrister Tom Taylor told journalists “every story has two sides” and he planned to defend his client’s charges.

But he wouldn’t comment when asked if he thought police had been “heavy handed” in arresting Mr Mitchell and Mr Wighton, saying only that it would be inappropriate to talk about the case in great detail at this stage.

Mr Wighton spoke briefly to local sports media later on Wednesday, telling reporters the case would have “no impact” on his football season and that his “full focus” was on the game.

“The show goes on, you know what I mean?” he said.

“I’ve got a team here and a job to do. We’re two weeks out, so very excited,” he said.

He wouldn’t comment on the case, saying only that it was “all going to pan out in the future”.

He and Mr Mitchell are due to return to court on October 30 when the case resumes.

Originally published as NRL stars plead not guilty to charges over alleged fight outside Canberra nightclub