Country footy team stripped of premiership over GF disgrace
A reserve grade grand final had to be abandoned after an all-in brawl erupted, costing one side its premiership title.
The Group 6 Country Rugby League final between the Oran Park Gregory Hill Chargers and Mittagong Lions was stacked with a series of ugly incidents at the Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Vision of the fiery second-half was uploaded online, revealing an earlier clash between the two sides – three players were sent from the field with ten minutes remaining.
But “as per instructions given by Group 6 officials”, the brawl that allegedly saw players clear the bench to join the melee and prematurely end the match has been removed from the video.
The Macarthur Chronicle reported an emergency meeting had been held on the Sunday night following the final, with a decision to be made due to the poor behaviour on display.
In a statement from Group 6 CRL officials, the executive officer dished out the punishment for the incident, which saw the Chargers kicked out of the competition.
“The board believes the type of behaviour from some players, coaching staff, and spectators from these clubs, doesn’t reflect the true Group 6 core values, and what was on display was simply, not our brand of footy,” Hazelton said.
“Sadly, these incidents have caused some people to remember the anti-social behaviour, over celebrating the games played over the weekend.”
The Chargers will now reportedly be required to submit an application to rejoin the competition next season.
