Outback AFL game investigated after wild brawl

A brawl at a rural football match involving numerous players and spectators has resulted in the game being terminated, prompting an immediate inquiry.

Wild outback footy brawl investigated

A violent altercation during a country football game involving more than a dozen players and spectators has led to the match being called off, prompting an immediate investigation.

Confronting footage shows the moment a Katherine Big Rivers Football League match at Katherine Sports Oval in the Northern Territory is thrown into disarray.

The skirmish occurred on Monday, May 12, at three-quarter-time of a match between home side Eastside and visitors Arnhem Crows at Katherine Showgrounds.

Phone footage shows players throwing punches and charging at each other outside the field, with supporters also getting involved.

A violent altercation involving players and spectators led to the Big Rivers Football League match being called off, prompting an immediate investigation by AFLNT.

The AFLNT confirmed an investigation was underway.

“AFLNT will follow due process in investigating the incident and will take all relevant actions relating to those involved as part of this process,” a spokeswoman told NT News.

“AFL is enjoyed by thousands of participants in the Big Rivers Region, the actions displayed by a small number of individuals do not represent the wider community’s passion for the game.

“While we acknowledge that this incident must follow due process, we wish to reinforce that AFLNT strongly condemns and has zero tolerance towards any type of violent behaviour in our game.

The incident occurred at Katherine Sports Oval during a match between Eastside and Arnhem Crows.

A club statement from Eastside FC published on social media acknowledged the incident.

“Our Club strongly condemns violence of any type in our game in any form and will be investigating the situation alongside AFLNT to ensure everyone’s wellbeing is met and will support where necessary,” it said.

“This incident does not define us as a club, and we will continue to work with our people to educate on upholding the clubs values, expectations and sportsmanship required both on and off the field.”

Arnhem Crows is yet to make a statement.

Nobody has been charged over the incident.

It’s the second violent brawl in two years at the Katherine Showgrounds after another violent clash between players and spectators marred the league’s 2022 grand final.

That altercation was live-streamed, leaving administrators “appalled”.

On that occasion, tempers boiled over just moments after the Katherine Camels claimed a 29-point grand final victory over the Ngukurr Bulldogs.

In 2022, a violent clash during the league’s grand final at Katherine Showgrounds resulted in spectators swarming the field and engaging in disorderly behaviour. Picture: Facebook

The video later shared online showed a group of spectators swarming the field.

“There’s a little bit of bad blood … very unfortunate,” the commentator said.

While it is unclear exactly what started the incident which has been described online as a “riot”, the video shows Camels players and referees to be the apparent targets of the spectators’ rage.

“Get those umpires off the grounds,” the commentator was heard saying.

Spectators were seen throwing objects and punches at Camels Players and umpires, but none appeared to make significant impact.

Numerous Bulldogs as well as other spectators and officials, were shown forming a barricade around the retreating Camels players and referees.

The incident led to arrests, hefty fines, and bans imposed on individuals involved, highlighting the ongoing hostility between the teams. Picture: Facebook

A NT Police spokesman at the time told news.com.au police were in attendance at Katherine’s Nitimiluk Oval and swiftly intervened, taking three spectators into custody.

“Three people were arrested and have since been released and issued three infringement notices for disorderly behaviour in a public place,” he said.

A three-month AFLNT probe into that incident resulted in charges including serious misconduct, striking, and abuse toward an umpire and hefty $8,000 fine imposed on the Bulldogs.

A number of spectators also received five-year bans from all AFLNT events.

The probe also found “ongoing hostility” between the teams, which were not appropriately acted upon.