Footy star Josh Addo-Carr breaks his silence on vicious brawl that spilled into the crowd as video reveals the moment he allegedly punched opponent in the face
- Addo-Carr played at the Koori Knockout football tournament
- Was reportedly knocked out in a fight during the Walgett match
- Now the Bulldogs star has given his version of events
NRL star Josh Addo-Carr has criticized reports he was knocked out in a vicious football brawl that saw police called when spectators became involved.
The Bulldogs winger was playing for the Sydney All Blacks in the annual Koori Knockout tournament when multiple fights broke out during their match against Walgett on Saturday.
It was originally reported that Addo-Carr was knocked unconscious during one of the fights at Tuggerah on the NSW central coast after violence reportedly broke out when he was hit in a high tackle.
The 28-year-old strongly denied this when he gave his version of events in an Instagram post on Saturday afternoon.
“Tell who really got knocked down in the brawl, play dirty cop it,” he wrote.
That version of events was supported by claims made by an eyewitness during the match.
“The other player hit Addo-Carr too hard on the head,” the spectator told the Daily Telegraph.
“Addo-Carr then shaped and destroyed him. He didn’t start, but he threw the first punch.’
However, another witness to the collision claimed that a different version of events had occurred.
Addo-Carr (pictured left with Redfern All Blacks players) has dismissed reports he was knocked out in a fight at the Koori Knockout rugby league tournament
“Nobody hit Josh in the head,” they told the publication.
‘He was tackled hard, but that doesn’t give you the right to hit a guy. He just didn’t like losing, it’s that simple.
‘It’s very sad that it ended like this because it was a great match, it was intense. It was the biggest game of the day… there were about 10,000 people in this one little ground.”
The Walgett team also included NRL star Jack Wighton, boxing promoter Matt Rose and former Bulldogs star Ben Barba.
As a result of the collision, Addo-Carr’s role will be investigated by the NRL Integrity Unit, the release said.
The winger would have been a shoo-in to have the Kangaroos team named on Tuesday if not for the alleged fight.
It is not the first time Addo-Carr has made headlines during the Koori Knockout.
The Bulldogs winger’s actions during the match against Walgett are being scrutinized by the NRL Integrity Unit and could impact his chances of making the Kangaroos team.
A similar event took place in 2016 when he played for the Redfern All Blacks.
During the final against the Newcastle All Blacks, he was about to score a try when a defender launched a high-flying tackle at him.
One of Australia’s largest indigenous gatherings, the Koori Knockout is a highly anticipated rugby competition held every October in Tuggerah, New South Wales.
The Koori Knockout attracts thousands of Aboriginal people from across NSW, combining community celebrations with an intense display of rugby talent.
The tournament is unique as it offers players from the local country league the opportunity to compete against NRL stars such as Latrell Mitchell.