CAFL Grand Final brawl

[Metallica_Man]

There was a fairly big brawl in the Central Australia Football League grand final in Alice Springs...

[youtube]AbkPquXfDuo[/youtube]

THE wild brawl that marred a Northern Territory Grand Final at Alice Springs has been captured on video and posted at Youtube.

The video, which contains explicit language, clearly shows the level of violence that erupted on Traegar Park after West beat Pioneer to win the 2007 CAFL premiership last Saturday.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WARNING: This video contains explicit language and violence
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Alice Springs police will now investigate the wild brawl.

Police had earlier said charges were unlikely after the post-siren brawl, which involved players and spectators after West's four-point win over Pioneer at Traeger Park.

But Acting Commander Lance Godwin said yesterday an investigation would now be launched. He said a special team had been assigned to lead the investigation because of the number of people involved in the brawl.

"Investigators are currently taking steps to seize videos of the event to identify any offenders," he said.
"We have had contact from a number of complainants in relation to alleged assaults and are in the process of formalising these complaints."

Several players and officials were left bloodied and bruised.

Commander Godwin said police would interview witnesses and take whatever action was deemed appropriate.

"This could well result in charges being laid, but at this stage it is still early in the investigations and we are appealing for victims to come forward," he said.

The AFLNT will also investigate the brawl.

Meanwhile, Pioneer life member Gene Martin last night claimed the post-match antics of West Alice Springs premiership player Adam Taylor contributed to last Saturday's CAFL Grand Final brawl.


Taylor and his dad Brendan were left battered and bloodied after the altercation involving players and spectators from both clubs.

But Martin claims Taylor's two-fingered gestures to Pioneer supporters lit the fuse to what was already a powder keg following one of the closest and physically demanding premiership deciders in years.


Pioneer rover Jarwyn Cole-Manolis had earlier angered several West fans with some inappropriate gestures when red-carded during the second quarter.

Taylor is still in hospital following his injuries and could not be contacted yesterday and his father did not return a series of calls from the Northern Territory News.

Martin was standing by his claims last night, saying he was near the Pioneer bench at the northern corner of the new grandstand when Taylor approached.

"Adam came up to the Pioneer supporters and players and gave us the two-finger gesture," Martin said.


"I don't know what it was for and he did it four or five times.

"The knees came up, he did a proper job of it. Then he approached our captain and everything went out of control.

"I know Adam out of football and have had a bit to do with him through business. I can't understand why he did it, he can only answer that."

Martin conceded both clubs were at fault for the resultant brawl and must be prepared to pay the consequences.

"One was as bad as the other and I think the AFLCA should sit down with both sides and work it out," he said.

"Those that went outside the rules should be suspended. Surely they (AFLCA) can work out who threw punches and who did not.

"Those players and supporters who were at fault should have the guts to come forward and say what they did."

AFL Central Australia general manager Brett O'Farrell has promised a full investigation into the incidents.

"We're gathering all the evidence and we'll do an investigation," O'Farrell said.

"Time's not that important to us, but making the right decision is."

The after-match brawl was similar to the ugly scenes that followed the 2005 grand final.

CAFL club Souths were suspended indefinitely following those incidents.

Don't need this sort of stuff happening...very poor sportmanship there

 

[thegame]

Does not supprise me one bit when this sort of behavior comes from a pretty ordinary competition!

 

[Chandra]

Bad to see. Horrible King hit by the old grey headed bloke in the fluoro vest on no. 12- he'll be under the attention of the police for that one.

 

[JDC!]

Already posted it in the footy videos section. Thanks for posting it in here; it is probably better off here as it is the NT board.