Chester Hill rugby league brawl: Dozens of spectators and players fight
A wild brawl erupts at a suburban footy match with dozens of spectators and players throwing punches
- A violent brawl breaks out during a league game
- The battle took place in southwest Sydney
- Police arrived after the fighters dispersed
A vicious brawl has broken out between spectators and players in the aftermath of a suburban rugby league match.
The brawl between fans and players over the Berala Bears and the Lalor Park Kookas broke out about half an hour after their A Grade match on Sunday afternoon at the Terry Lamb Complex in Sydney’s southwestern suburb of Chester Hill.
Video shows a group of at least 10 men gathered, some shirtless or with torn shirts, struggling, throwing punches and stomping with those who fell on a lawn near the parking lot after the Central Wests Open Mens silver league match.
A man in the middle of the brawl manages to get to his feet and stumbles off with his jersey ripped off but still with shoulder pads.
He is pursued mercilessly and the king is hit and he receives another brutal blow to the face before breaking free and running away.
A brawl broke out on Sunday afternoon after a rugby league match in the Sydney suburbs
Police were called to the incident, but the fighters had dispersed by the time officers arrived.
Police have video of the fight and are investigating.
“Detectives have not yet spoken to anyone involved and are urging anyone with information to come forward,” the police said in a statement.
Lalor Park had won the game 28-24.
That said a source involved with the Berala Bears Daily telegram were preparing to take their team out of the competition.
“We have a strict love policy, we don’t condone any violence, there is no tolerance,” the source said.
“We told them at the beginning of the year if there are any incidents you are out, so after all this we put them down and told them we are withdrawing the team. It’s so frustrating.’
One man manages to free himself from the fight, but is chased and brutally beaten by several assailants
Berala Bears president Omar Sankari said he expected to be cited by the league, but expressed relief that no one was seriously injured.
“People will be quoted by the Parramatta junior league,” he said.
“Fortunately, no one was seriously injured.”
Lalor Park Secretary Sonia Smart said the incident was “horrific.”
“Based purely on the footage provided, we are shocked by the events and that this could happen at a club football match,” Ms Smart said.
“We are investigating what happened. Our concern at this time is for our players and their safety. This should not happen.’
The NSWRL governing body said it was reviewing the incident, but it was a ‘zero tolerance’ approach towards violent and/or abusive behavior towards players, officials and spectators.
The league has the power to suspend players, ban spectators and kick the teams out of the league.
NSW Police said they are investigating the incident and the governing NSWRL is also investigating