WRFL: North Sunshine and Tarneit game abandoned

Two clubs have been punished over an on-field brawl which saw a game abandoned early on Saturday and there’s a “likelihood” more sanctions are on the way.

The Western Region Football League has handed down punishments following an on-field melee in a Division 3 clash.

North Sunshine and Tarneit have both been stripped of four premiership points and fined $2500 following the incident in the last quarter of Saturday’s clash.

It saw the game ended several minutes early with police called to the venue.

Both clubs were charged for “bringing the league into disrepute” the league said in a statement.

“In consultation with the League, North Sunshine FC has also withdrawn its men’s senior & reserve teams from the remainder of the Division 3 home and away fixture,” the statement said.

“The investigation pertaining to the incident and individuals involved remains ongoing, with the likelihood of further charges to follow.

“The league acknowledges and appreciates the full and ongoing cooperation of both clubs involved.”

EARLIER

A local footy game in Melbourne has been abandoned and police called after a brawl broke out between sets of players with the chaos extending into the crowd.

The Western Region Football League Division 3 match between North Sunshine and Tarneit was abandoned by umpires with several minutes remaining in the last quarter on Saturday.

Footage uploaded online and seen by Leader shows a wrestle between players break out after a free kick was awarded to Tarneit for a dangerous tackle.

Players from both sides can be seen pushing and shoving before the pack grows larger as players hit the ground still wrestling.

The footage shows players continuing to push and shove even once the umpires have left the field while a spectator, believed to be from North Sunshine, can be seen arguing with Tarneit players having entered the field of play.

North Sunshine's clash with Tarneit was called off.

Once the players appear to have been separated, the camera quickly pans to the front of the changerooms where North Sunshine and Tarneit players can be seen.

More verbals were exchanged before the two teams were separated.

It’s understood tensions were high throughout the game with one player struck with an elbow in the second quarter.

Small packs of push and shove also occurred throughout the game.

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed police did attend the scene.

“Police were called to an alleged brawl between two opposing football teams in North Sunshine on August 6,” they said.

“Officers were called to a sporting reserve in Phoenix Street just after 4.30pm following reports of people fighting in the change rooms.

“Upon arrival, officers spoke to a number of spectators at the venue.

“There were no reports of injuries or assault.”

It was the second WRFL senior game to be called off this season after Wyndhamvale and Newport’s Division 2 clash was marred by off-field violence.

Both sides were stripped of four premiership points and fined for that incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.