‘Disgrace’: Group 16 U16 semi finals match marred by abusive fans from rival team

A crowd of up to 40 people involving players and families of Group 16 side the Moruya Sharks gathered on the sideline of the minor semi final game at Mackay Park, Batemans Bay on Sunday.

The group, consisting of parents and children, proceeded to heckle and abuse the players of the Merimbula/Pambula Bulldogs for the duration of the match that they would eventually lose 24-10.

This follows the Bulldogs U16s side qualifying for the finals series, ahead of the Sharks.

As heard in the above video, the crowd is audibly rallying behind the Narooma side with every big tackle on the Bulldogs.

Photos taken by a disgruntled parent also show signs were brought to the game, with the one photographed reading ‘NAROOMA BEAT THE DIRTY DOGS!’

“The foul behaviour started while our boys were warming up and carried on all game,” the parent said.

“It shattered all enjoyment of the game that we get when watching our children play sport and what is more disheartening is this is unfortunately becoming normal.”

There is some history behind the attitude the Sharks U16s side share towards the Bulldogs.

An off-the-field incident earlier in the season resulted in the Sharks appealing to the tribunal to have a Bulldogs player suspended. The result of this appeal was a two point deduction for the Bulldogs on the ladder.

After disputing this decision to NSWRL, the points were eventually given back to the Bulldogs, allowing the side to qualify for the finals series at the expense of the Sharks who missed out.

“We got through fair and square and as a result they were pushed out,” another parent of the Bulldogs side said.

“They then chose to voice their frustration on our boys on the weekend. They were just there to taunt, calling us ‘cheating dogs’.

“We approached the ground manager and they didn’t do anything about it.”

For the son of the parent who reached out with the initial complaint, as well as a number of others on the team, this was to be their last match playing footy with the junior club, ending on a disappointing note for both the players and their families.

“It was a disgrace for junior rugby league and all involved in blatantly letting this play out on Sunday,” the parent said.

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“Clearly the code of conduct was not enforced on this day … this is why they have grounds managers and officials at sporting game to make sure it is a safe environment.

“When they let these spectators behave with such vile verbal abuse, bullying and harassment of our children who are just trying to play sport, it is a major breach of this code.”

Group 16 and the Moruya Sharks have both been approached for comment.

Originally published as ‘Disgrace’: Group 16 U16 semi finals match marred by abusive fans from rival team