NSWRL called to act after young league player knocked out and abused

The NSWRL has called on fans to help identify the spectator who hurled sickening taunts at a young rugby league player after he was knocked out in a sickening tackle.

League officials are investigating an ugly incident from a junior rugby league game where a teenager was knocked unconscious in a shocking high tackle as an unidentified sideline parent yelled out “f … king dig a hole and bury the cat.”

The sickening incident, which has been captured on video and sent to The Daily Telegraph, occurred in an under-17s match between the Gymea Gorillas and the Taren Point Titans in Cronulla Sharks juniors.

A Gymea player, 16-year-old Ethan Krause, was rushed to Sutherland hospital suffering from concussion so severe he may never play again.

“We will not allow him to play again,” says the boy’s mother, Catherine Krause.

The Titans player was sin-binned but initially no further action had been taken. Since The Daily Telegraph revealed the incident, the NSWRL has announced the player, who has apologised to Krause, had now been charged and referred to the judiciary.

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The NSWRL has been called to act over this tackle.

The appalling behaviour of a spectator, who filmed the incident and posted it on social media with foul-mouthed commentary, left the Krause family demanding action.

The spectator yells: “Got him, got him … what a f … ing hit.

“He killed him. Call triple 0, he’s murdered.

“F … king dig a hole and bury the cat.”

Gymea Gorillas President Shaun Dooley sent video of the tackle to the NSWRL as part of a formal complaint, and the governing body acted quickly.

“A Taren Point Titans player has been issued with a shoulder charge — graded serious — and referred to the judiciary,” a NSWRL spokesman said.

Dooley was incredulous at the actions of the parent on the sideline.

“I don’t know how we have people in society like that. It makes me sick. Unfortunately, there are people out there who think a kid lying motionless on the ground is something to cheer about,” Dooley said.

Krause was unconscious before he hit the ground.

The NSWRL slammed the spectator’s behaviour, calling on the Gymea club to do whatever it takes to identify the person involved and take action.

“The NSWRL was also made aware of unsavoury comments made by a spectator after the incident which left a Gymea Gorillas player heavily concussed,” the spokesman said.

“The commentary of the tackle beggars belief. It is a sickening narrative in any sporting context, but particularly so in junior sport.

“This type of behaviour presents a challenge for administrators in that they are constrained in taking effective action against persons who damage our game but who are not registered with the sport.

“The club concerned has the power to make a code of conduct complaint if they choose to do so. The NSWRL encourages them to identify the person making the comments and deal with the behaviour.”

Dooley had called for the judiciary to rule on the tackle.

“I feel let down that justice hasn’t been done for the family,” Dooley said.

“Everyone knows accidents happen but if you’re going to come flying out of the line, and you get it wrong and make contact with the head to knock someone out, you’ve got to wear the consequences. That hasn’t happened.”

Catherine Krause had appealed for action on two counts.

Players converge after the tackle.

That the player escaped suspension and that the man on the sideline has also escaped punishment.

“Not only is this video disturbing to watch but sickening and chilling to listen to,” she said.

“The hideous commentary from this father is disgusting and to be honest, left us feeling shocked that someone could say that about our son. We are really struggling to get this out of our minds.”

In an email to The Daily Telegraph, Mrs Krause wrote of her family’s dismay over the lack of action from the NSWRL on all accounts.

“These are young men, 16 and 17-years old, who play rugby league because they love the game and the sportsmanship of rugby league, not this reckless behaviour and appalling culture that is ruining junior rugby league for these kids,” Mrs Krause said,

“Thankfully Ethan is OK. He was cleared of any permanent neck injury however sustained severe concussion and is struggling with concussion symptoms.

“Due to this incident, he will not be able to play the game that he loves, rugby league, again.

“He is currently having to take time off his carpentry apprenticeship as it is not safe to be working on a job site. Therefore, this is a loss of wages to him and we also will have an ambulance bill that we will have to pay.”