Darwin Brothers v Litchfield Bears match paused after fan abuses referee
A top of the table rugby league clash was brought to a halt after a spectator hurled abuse at the referee, with charges expected.
A top of the table clash between the Darwin Brothers and Litchfield Bears was paused as a spectator hurled insults at the referee and opposition players on Friday night.
The Darwin Brothers had just scored off NRL NT 2023 Frank Johnson medallist Caleb Niki bringing what had been a rollercoaster game to 20-18 in their favour.
But it was then that match officials brought the shouts of abuse, believed to be targeted insults, from the hill behind the goalposts at TRL Stadium to the referee’s attention.
The referee, who flew up from Queensland, called time off and made both captain’s aware of the incident with the game still in the balance and clock showing 61:39.
Match day officials and security addressed both sides and the crowd in an effort to bring a calm and find the fan, with the spectator believed to be among the Brothers’ faction.
The spectator isn’t believed to have been escorted out but is expected to face a charges for umpire abuse and player abuse at next week’s tribunal.
The match resumed about seven minutes later with Litchfield outscoring the Brothers two tries to one to take the win and stand clear on top of the table leading into the back half of the season.
Darwin Brothers president John Adams said his club does not stand for that sort of behaviour and would wait to see what the charges were.
“Our club doesn’t condone any sort of abuse, verbal or otherwise, towards the officials,” he said.
NRL NT general manager Tony Crowe said the sporting body supported the referee’s decision to pause the game as matters were sorted out.
“It was a close game between the top of the table sides, but we 100 per cent support the referee’s decision to pause the match,” he said.
“We’ve all come here to enjoy rugby league not listen to some individual that thinks their opinion is above everyone else’s particularly when it’s in a negative manner toward a match official.
“The NRL NT is currently working through the process, we’ve got a number of reports from the referee and ground managers and due process will follow.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Darwin Brothers v Litchfield Bears match paused after fan abuses referee
‘RIP little man’: Outpouring of grief following tragic pool drowning
There has been an outpouring of community grief after a four-year-old boy tragically drowned in Palmerston. Read the latest.
Dragons rise to occasion to retain Chico Motlop Shield
The Nightcliff Dragons have retained the Chico Motlop Shield and bolstered their hopes of a top four finish as Litchfield won the top of the table clash. Catch up on the latest NRL NT action.