Players, spectators aren’t getting the message about rugby league’s zero tolerance to violence

The NRL, NSWRL and QRL have adopted a zero tolerance approach to stamp out violence at junior rugby league matches but the message has failed to reach some players and spectators.

The NRL, NSWRL and QRL have adopted a zero tolerance approach to stamp out violence at junior rugby league matches but the message has failed to register with some.

The latest incident at an SG Ball junior representative game at Erskineville Oval last weekend is another in a string of infamous acts of violence and is a terrible look for the sport.

It’s alleged the player, who was watching the SG Ball game along with his Manly Jersey Flegg teammates, became involved in a fight with another spectator. That spectator is believed to be a former Canberra Raiders junior player who is looking for a start at an NRL club. That former Raider is alleged to have sparked the fight by headbutting the young Sea Eagle.

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Dad severely injured in alleged junior league attack

A fight between spectators at a junior rugby league match in Queensland last year left a Brisbane father requiring surgery for severe facial injuries, including two broken eye sockets, a fractured cheek and a broken nose.

Four men, aged between 19 and 36, were charged with the alleged attack on Josh Jones, 35, during an incident at an under 13s match between rivals Wynumm Manly and Logan Brothers in Brisbane on May 9.

Footage of the fight showed both sets of parents rushing onto the field with several people seen throwing punches as young children watch on.

Brothers Griffith Lilomaiava and Talapuse Tuialii were both arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm following the incident.

Tuialii was also charged with a second count of assault occasioning bodily harm.

The two other men, Solomona Solomona and Barry Vaiola Sepulona were also arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm. One of the men was also charged with assault occasioning bodily harm relating to the alleged victim Josh Jones’ father, Ricki.

Queensland Police said there was an initial incident in the grandstand when Jones – whose son was playing the opposing team – was punched and kicked. The altercation then spilt onto the field and ignited a brawl between parents and spectators.

The QRL suspended the four men indefinitely from attending rugby league matches while police charges are pending.

“Like many others who watched the video, we were appalled by the shocking scenes that unfolded,” Queensland Rugby League managing director Robert Moore said.

“It’s just not good enough – and people need to be held to account for their actions.”

The matter is still before the court.

League teams banned after wild brawl

Cronulla Sutherland Junior Rugby League teams Como-Jannali and Engadine Dragons were banned from competing in the Emerging Cup, a tournament for under-20s prospects, following an incident in August 2020.

NSWRL CEO Dave Trodden stood by the decision to ban both sides for the season.

“The NSWRL has zero tolerance for any behaviour that threatens the safety of participants, officials and spectators involved in junior sport, who should be able to expect to play and/or attend and enjoy community sport without any concerns or fears,” Trodden said.

“We make no apology for taking a strong stance and standing down the two teams involved in this incident for the remainder of the season.”

Footage from a game between Engadine and Como in Emerging Cup last week., Match abandoned. Both teams kicked out of the comp.

Video footage of the incident at Anzac Oval in Engadine showed players rushing off the field and down a slope to continue the fight in the 53rd minute of the match.

Parents and bystanders swarm the players, but do not get involved as officials rush to calm the situation.

The brawl marked a string of shocking incidents of violence at junior rugby league games in August in 2020.

A man was charged with assault after allegedly attacking a 12-year old boy during a match on the Central Coast.

The Bateau Bay man was charged with common assault after he ran onto the field and allegedly grabbed the boy and threw him to the ground.

The boy was taken to hospital with facial injuries.

In the state’s far west, a referee officiating a rugby league competition in Menindee, in Central Darling Shire, was allegedly punched in the face and knocked unconscious during a match, police confirmed.

Police charged a 26-year old man with assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Former Australian Schoolboy banned for life

Former Fijian International and Australian Schoolboy player Ratu Nanovo was served with a lifetime ban from the NSWRL after a stabbing attack in a carpark following a match between Penrith Brothers and Wentworthville Magpies at Parramatta.

The car park fight was sparked after Nanovo’s teammate, Bradley Middlebrook, was sent off the field for a shoulder charge on Magpies opponent Sione Latu, causing him to suffer critical injuries to his neck and body.

Police told a court Nanovo carried out the “frenzied” attack, allegedly stabbing three victims, an opponent and two spectators.

Ratu Nanovo in his Fijian playing strip from sourc: https://www.nrl.com/players/internationals/fiji/ratu-nanovo/ ID Confirmed by Nick Hansen

Bradley Wayne Middlebrook was banned for life by the NSWRL.

Nanovo was initially charged with three counts of wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Those charges were downgraded after doubts of his intention to stab anyone. The teenager pleaded guilty to two counts of reckless wounding in company.

Late last year, a judge sentenced Nanobo to a three-year intensive correction order, including home detention for the first 12 months.

Middlebrook was also banned for life by the NSWRL and was charged with affray after the brawl. He was handed a nine-month intensive correction order and 63 hours community service.

Junior players banned for 92 years

It was described as one of the worst junior league brawls in four decades by then Penrith Chairman Don Feltis and left seven players from Western City Tigers banned for a total of 92 years.

One of the teenage players, who was 17 when the incident took place in 2013, was banned for 20 years after the high school student was photographed allegedly attempting to stomp on another player’s head.

Two other players were served with a 20-year ban each. While another three were exiled for 12, 10 and five years respectively.

The harshest ban of 25 years went to a player, who was already suspended, that ran onto the field to join the brawl.

The brawl, which involved around 40 players and parents, erupted when a fight started after the Penrith Waratahs won a semi-final match against the Tigers in extra time with a penalty goal.

Originally published as Players, spectators aren’t getting the message about rugby league’s zero tolerance to violence