Forbes v Wellington crowd fight video: NSWRL hands down bans, fines for brawlers

The NSWRL has come down hard on players and fans involved in an ugly brawl during the Forbes-Wellington match - a fixture which involved former NRL star Blake Ferguson. WATCH THE VIDEO

The bush footy players and fans involved in an ugly brawl at Forbes have been named, shamed and now face being banned, fined and suspended.

This masthead can reveal five people – three fans and two players – have been identified and issued breach notices for their role in the fight during Forbes’ match against Wellington last Sunday week.

Proposed bans and suspensions from the NSWRL range from two games to two years.

Both clubs have also been issued suspended $3000 fines while the Group 11 board has hit Forbes with an additional $2000 fine - and the loss of two competition points in each of their four grades - for “inadequate ground management.”

Former NRL star Blake Ferguson was playing in the game – he wasn’t involved in the melee – which was abandoned by the referee.

This masthead first revealed details of the brawl last week.

Police were called to quell the violence while an ambulance treated an injured spectator at Spooner Oval, Forbes.

Cameras captured the sideline brawl.

Those identified for their involvement, and their proposed punishments, are:

• Seaun Stanley (Wellington Cowboys fan) – two years.

• Henry Willis (Forbes Magpies fan) – one year.

• Michael Peachey (Wellington fan) – nine weeks.

• Mitchell Andrews (Forbes Magpies player) - six weeks.

• Jake Stenhouse (Forbes Magpie player) – two weeks.

Andrews and Stenhouse are Forbes players, one coming from the bench to join the fight, the other at the ground but unavailable to play.

A NSWRL statement read: “The NSWRL can confirm five people have been issued breach notices and preliminary penalties for various charges under the code of conduct relating to an incident between Wellington Cowboys and Forbes Magpies at a Peter McDonald Premiership match at Spooner Oval, Forbes on Sunday 23 July.

“Players have until 2pm, Tuesday, 1 August, to respond to the charges.

“In addition, both the Wellington Cowboys and Forbes Magpies were issued with $3000 fines, which have been suspended until the end of the 2025 season pending no further incidents.

“The Group 11 board has issued Forbes with a $2000 fine and the loss of two competition points in each of their four grades for inadequate ground management.”

This masthead secured two separate videos of the fight, which involved between 20 and 30 people, and erupted in front of the venue’s grandstand.

It became an all-in among fans. Players were ushered into the dressing rooms and sent home. Police have also been investigating.

“The penalties at this stage are only proposed but the penalties that have been proposed are harsh – and they are harsh for reason,” said NSWRL chief executive, David Trodden.

Blake Ferguson was playing in the match before it was abandoned.

“The game cannot tolerate the behaviour of the sort that was on display at Forbes.

“Hopefully everybody in the game will receive the message that this type of behaviour won’t be tolerated.”

The vision shows a shirtless man on the ground being lifted up before being repeatedly punched.

The same man was then head butted. Other screaming spectators attempted to push the combatants apart.

Another video shows the melee flare up again with spectators running in. The brawl moved down a small hill in front of the grandstand.

The Peter McDonald Premiership, a competition which incorporates groups 10 and 11. It is played among semi-professional clubs.