NRL NT hands brawling spectators 34 years worth of bans

The NRL NT has delivered its final set of bans in relation to the eight people who disrupted a recent finals match by brawling in the stands at TRL Stadium. Read what was said.

TRL Stadium in Darwin. Picture: Patch Clapp / NRL NT

The NRL NT has delivered its final set of bans in relation to the eight people who disrupted a recent finals match by brawling in the stands at TRL Stadium.

A total of 34 years’ worth of bans have been handed down across the eight people involved in the brawl that took place during the Litchfield v Brothers semi-final on August 23.

The league initially identified six spectators, whose tribunals were held off until post the grand final, however a further two were eventually charged as well.

Each spectator was charged with assault or act with aggression to any person and behave in a way that disturbs the enjoyment of a match or brings discredit to the game.

The largest ban was six years, three people were handed five year bans, two were given four years, another person received three years and a final spectator was handed a two-year ban.

Each spectator carries a suspended sentence that will carry that overall ban to a total of 10 years if they reoffend.

Furthermore, those spectators were each banned for 10 weeks of the 2025-26 NT Rugby Union season considering cross code crossover.

NRL NT general manager Tony Crowe said the bans were a show the league had taken a stand against “unacceptable behaviours”.

NRL NT general manager Tony Crowe.

“These are very hefty charges but they’re for good reason and is something we’ve taken a stand on over the past few weeks,” he said.

“We’ve invested a lot of time, energy and resources working with everyone involved in making sure we get the right outcome for our game.

“This is a significant ban and ideally this is making a statement reinforcing what we’ve been on about for a long period of time now,

“We’re not going to accept behaviours outside of our house rules and if people can’t abide by them they’re not welcome and other sporting bodies would feel the same.”

He said the competition had to do what was necessary to protect those wanting to get involved in the game but not wanting to experience such behaviours.

“It’s a whole lot easier process if people just own their behaviours because each of these eight people made the decision to be involved so we’ve held them accountable,” Crowe said.

“We’re not trying to push people away from our game, we’re focused on attracting more people and if you don’t want to respect those involved then you’re not welcome.

“We’re talking about a minority of people, there’s a lot of people out there that join and love our game and they’re who we’re focused on keeping it.

“We don’t want to control or limit the opportunity to experience our game, but everyone’s got to remember when they want to be involved there are certain expectations.”