Darwin cricketer Connor Hawkins expected to plea after alleged training assault

A Darwin cricketer alleged to have assaulted a teammate during a training session will make a plea in court. Read what happened.

The incident was alleged to have happened at Kahlin Oval. Picture: Che Chorley

A former Darwin first grade cricketer is expected to plead guilty in court to assaulting a teammate at training in July last year.

Former Eagles captain Connor Hawkins is next due in Darwin Local Court later this month on a charge of aggravated assault.

This masthead revealed Hawkins was removed from the club for the remainder of the 2023 season following the incident with another player at Kahlin Oval on July 27.

The club described the incident as “poor behaviour” at the time in a letter addressed to the other player.

“The club acknowledges what (allegedly) happened at training two weeks ago was an unfortunate incident between two players,” the letter stated.

“We understand and accept your position to take this further to the police and as such the cricket club will distance itself from this until required.”

Connor Hawkins in a Darwin jersey. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Hawkins was also banned by NT Cricket for 12 weeks following an altercation with Southern Districts then vice president Brett Whelan on July 8, 2023.

In that incident the pair engaged in an off field fight after the close of innings in a match between the two sides, again at Kahlin Oval.

The matter was initially referred to the national sports tribunal. No charges were laid.

The UK-born cricketer was allowed to return to the Eagles for the 2024 season if he completed a measure of community service with the club.

Hawkins would later play a game with Works Cricket Club in the Alice Springs competition last October.

The matter has been heard on five occasions so far in Darwin Local Court.

Hawkins was the Darwin Eagles first grade captain during the 2022 Premier Grade season.