NSWRL charge both teams after wild suburban footy brawl

The fallout from the mass brawl at a rugby league on Sydney’s northern beaches has continued, with both clubs charged and three players facing life bans.

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Three players involved in an ugly brawl during a Sydney A-grade rugby league game last weekend have been charged by the NSWRL and face possible life bans.

Both clubs involved in the all-in fight, the Narrabeen Sharks and Punchbowl-based St John’s Eagles, have also been charged by the NSWRL.

After a preliminary NSWRL hearing was completed on Tuesday, two players from St John’s and one from Narrabeen will front separate code-of-conduct hearings this week and early next week.

Violence erupts on the suburban footy field.

One player is believed to be the St John’s player who was caught on camera abusing, threatening and intimidating the crowd at Lake Park, Narrabeen. He is facing a life ban.

Once a final investigation has been concluded, the NSWRL believes more players will face disciplinary action and suspensions.

Both clubs will front a code-of-conduct committee on August 7 to explain their players’ behaviour.

Possible punishments for each club are fines, loss of competition points, a bond or expulsion from the competition.

The NSWRL would not release the names of the three players already identified.

One St Johns player is facing a life ban for abusing fans.

“We’ve completed a preliminary investigation and, as a result, three players have been charged and both clubs have also been charged,” NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said.

“The charges involve players from both clubs and breach notices have also been issued to the clubs for incidents.

“Two players will attend a NSWRL tribunal hearing (on Thursday) and a further player will attend a hearing on Wednesday, August 7.

“These charges have been issued following our preliminary investigation and we expect there will be further charges laid once the investigation is complete.

“Violent or abusive conduct has no place in sport and we won’t tolerate it.”

The referee quickly lost control of the melee.

Narrabeen players had to take shelter in their dressing room after the fight, which spilt into the crowd and forced match officials to abandon the game 12 minutes before full-time.

Ground manager Steve Avery was allegedly punched in the head during the melee. Avery did not respond to interview requests from The Daily Telegraph.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said investigators were trying to speak with Avery to determine whether he wanted to pursue criminal charges.

“Police are attempting to contact the ground manager who was officiating on the day,” she said.

It is understood the fight started on the field before spilling into the crowd, where coaches and managers intervened as frightened children watched on.

Ground manager Steve Avey with an ice pack after being punched.

“I wasn’t there on Sunday but I was made aware of it,” star Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic said. “It’s a situation you don’t want to see happen.

“Rugby league is a game that is meant to bring people together and you don’t want to see violence and the incidents that occurred at Lake Park.

“It’s sad for both teams and hopefully we can move past this. You don’t want to see a situation like it again.”

NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden wants to act quickly on the shocking scenes.

The St John’s player who taunted the crowd was caught on phone vision using obscene and foul language.

He yells to Narrabeen fans: “Shut your f---ing mouth. Who wants a go? Which one of you b----es wants to go? Yeah, record me you f-----g dog. You want to talk shit on the sideline?

“F-----g let’s go you b----es. You f-----g b----. Did you say something? Shut your f-----g mouth. Why don’t you jump on the field if you want to be a sick c---?”

St John’s Eagles secretary Andrew Sedrak would not comment but Canterbury Junior Rugby League general manager Nathan Mairleitner said: “We will wait until the outcome of the hearing. For the game of rugby league, it wasn’t a good look.”

Another witness who contacted The Daily Telegraph said: “It was bloody awful and in front of so many kids. It went on for some time.”

Narrabeen coach Frank McKee was also reluctant to discuss the matter until additional information had been supplied by the NSWRL.