Johanna Meredith Wurrben avoids a conviction for assaulting an opponent at Katherine Showgrounds

A pregnant Katherine footballer and mother-of-three who punched an opponent was the victim of ’racial slurs’, a court has heard.

A pregnant Katherine footballer and mother-of-three has avoided a conviction for punching an opponent in the change rooms after a game where she was racially vilified on the field.

Johanna Meredith Wurrben, 27, pleaded guilty in the Katherine Local Court earlier this month to a charge of unlawful assault at Katherine Showgrounds on August 27.

The court heard Wurrben and the victim had been “verbally aggressive” during the match between Katherine South and Eastside in the Big Rivers Football League.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Phillip Farley said it led to a “racial slur being” made towards Wurrben, who has worked at a health clinic in Katherine.

After the game, Wurrben approach the doorway of the Eastside change rooms and threw an “offensive weapon”, a water bottle, at the victim who was seated on a bench.

She avoided the thrown bottle by moving her head.

The victim struck by Johanna Wurrben was concerned she could not leave the Katherine Showgrounds alone. Picture: Filed.

However, Wurrben then struck the victim to the left side of her jaw with her knuckles, causing “instant pain” and leaving her stunned for between five and seven seconds.

The victim “quickly became scared a second attack would happen” if she left the showgrounds alone, Constable Phillip Farley told the court.

The victim was left with a swollen jaw, had difficulty chewing food and had been emotionally affected.

However, he said Wurrben had since admitted fault in the attack.

“I was upset and angry, she was calling me names on the field,” he relayed to the court of Wurrben’s statement.

“I shouldn’t have done it.”

For Wurrben, counsel Anneliese Harris said Judge David Woodroffe should take into account Wurrben’s “prior good character” and a conviction would spoil her ambitions of becoming an Aboriginal health practitioner.

South Katherine Football Club have supported the No More anti-violence campaign. Picture: South Katherine FC.

“No offence involving violence is ever trivial,” Harris said, adding that her client had also been “physically assaulted” during the game by another player.

“(But) it’s not unusual .... to see aggressions arise in contact sport.

“She was not the only person to have contributed on that day.”

She said there were “extremely extenuating circumstances” which led to the attack.

“There were racial slurs made towards her,” she said.

“While violence is never the answer ... it’s also not appropriate for that to occur.”

Wurrben had also received two 18-match bans from AFLNT and a further ban from her club.

Judge Woodroffe said he understood it was difficult for a First Nations person to accept racial slurs, but “violence is not the answer”.

“You’ve not shown good sportsmanship,” Judge David Woodroffe said.

No conviction was recorded but Wurrben received a six-month good behaviour bond.

Katherine footballer fronts court on assault charge

A Katherine women’s footballer has appeared in court for the first time over a charge of aggravated assault following a post-game incident in late August.

Johanna Meredith Wurrben, 27, faced the Katherine Local Court on January 12 on a charge of unlawful assault.

The Katherine Crocs player is accused of assaulting an Eastside opponent in their change rooms after the game at Katherine Showgrounds on August 27.

Court records show the alleged incident occurred at 6.36pm.

A Tiwi Bombers player has been suspended following an incident before the match against PINT. Picture: Alison McGowan/AFLNT Media.

The opponent, who the NT News has chosen not to name, played in a Big Rivers Football League premiership win over Ngukurr Bulldogs the following week and is currently playing in the Women’s Premier League in the NTFL.

In court earlier this month, Wurrben was supported by a family member as she appeared for the first time.

“She’s a little bit nervous,” Wurrben’s legal representative told the court.

Wurrben must next attend court early next month.

Meanwhile, a charge of assault against Tiwi Bombers player Brayden Puruntatameri has been dropped.

The 24-year-old was charged following an incident before the Bombers v PINT match on Bathurst Island on October 29.