Former Hawthorn, Storm rookie arrested over alleged assault at amateur football match

A former Hawthorn and Melbourne Storm rookie has been arrested over an alleged assault at an amateur footy match.

Hawks Kiwi recruit Shem Tatupu. Picture Norm Oorloff

A former Hawthorn and Melbourne Storm rookie has been arrested over an alleged assault at an amateur football match in Melbourne on Saturday.

CODE Sports reports Shem Tatupu was arrested at Waverley Oval following an incident in the moments after a finals match between Elsternwick and Hawthorn in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

Hawthorn star Justin Raiti was reportedly the victim of the alleged assault.

“Police attended and arrested a 27-year-old Keysborough man and interviewed him for assault-related matters,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

“He has been released pending further enquiries.’’

Shem Tatupu was reportedly arrested at the scene. Picture Norm Oorloff

Hawthorn star Justin Raiti was the victim of the alleged assault. Pic: Supplied

Nine News reports Tatupu was watching his mates play for Elsternwick before he punched Raiti as he walked from the field with teammates.

Raiti’s father then reportedly performed a citizen’s arrest on Tatupu along with other onlookers, before police could attend the scene.

Raiti was checked by paramedics and was cleared to go home without any hospital treatment needed.

A former AFL and NRL listed player has been arrested over a coward punch at a local football game. @gillianlant#9Newspic.twitter.com/8gYSJyGYoi

— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) September 3, 2023

“From our perspective our player is okay, most importantly,” Hawthorn President Sam Waldron told The Herald Sun.

“All our players are fully supported by our club.

“We won a game of footy and we’ve been promoted to Div 2 and we’ve got a grand final in two weeks.”

A spokesman from the Elsternwick Amateur Football Club told the paper that no members or players from the club were involved in the incident.

“In respect of the incident alleged to have occurred following a VAFA semi-final at the Waverley Park Oval the Elsternwick Football Club can advise that no club members or players were involved in the matter,” the spokesman said.

“As the matter is currently the subject of an active police investigation, Elsternwick Amateur Football Club will not be commenting further on the matter.”

Shem Tatupu during his time with the Storm.

Tatupu was recruited by the Hawks as a category B rookie in 2013, having been a highly rated rugby league and union player in New Zealand in his younger years.

He was delisted by Hawthorn before trying his hand in the NRL with the Melbourne Storm in 2019.

He reportedly played with St Kilda City in the Southern Football Netball League this year.