QUIET RIOT
Heavy bans but no names after ugly Gold Coast Rugby League grand final brawl
GOLD Coast Rugby League officials have closed ranks around two players handed long suspensions for an ugly grand final day brawl described as “madness”.
The league was forced to investigate a violent sideline confrontation involving players and spectators during the A-grade decider between Burleigh and Runaway Bay at Pizzey Park on September 17.
The Bulletin can reveal a Runaway Bay player involved in the game has been banned for 12 months, five of which will be suspended.
A spectator, who plays for the Mudgeeraba Redbacks and was previously affiliated with the Burleigh Bears club, copped the heaviest sanction from the league for his involvement – two years, with the second year being a suspended sentence.
Despite video and photographic evidence showing multiple people involved in the incident, league officials cracked down on the two men deemed to be the main offenders.
Gold Coast Rugby League have refused to release the names of those penalised, with the possibility of an appeal process believed to be a factor.
However, the decision has caused frustration in clubland with several sources telling the
Bulletin they wanted the names made public for the purpose of “transparency”.
Competition manager Scott Dunshea slammed the “15 seconds of madness” for tartions
nishing the decider and overall season.
“We want to provide a friendly atmosphere for all family, kids and friends – and all people – to come and watch the game and do it in a safe manner,” he said.
“We are obviously not very happy with the incident that occurred and how it occurred … it’s not acceptable in any walk of life, let alone at a rugby league sporting event.”
Dunshea did clarify that the official investigation had found fans on the sidelines – not the Runaway Bay bench – were responsible for instigating the biff.
Queensland Rugby League has applauded the severe sancTHE issued to the offending players.
“The QRL southeast division is across the matter with the Gold Coast Rugby League and is comfortable with their course of action,” a QRL spokesman said. “The local league has followed a process and has taken firm action following the incident.”
The bans will not be backdated, meaning they will begin from this week.
The Runaway Bay player will be eligible to return in May – making him likely to miss about four matches – while the Mudgeeraba player will be rubbed out of the entire 2018 season.