THREE teenage footballers have been suspended, a coach has quit because of ongoing violence and a club is in turmoil following another shocking junior footy brawl.

The on-field stoush between Brothers and Mossman in a Cairns District Junior Rugby League under-15 match has led to some parents withdrawing their children from the game.

"We go to the football all the time and we’ve never seen anything like this," one mum who contacted The Cairns Post said yesterday.

"We want to take our boys to see a game but we won’t if there’s this sort of thing on the ground."

The fight, during a regular season match at Mossman on May 10, started between opposing wingers but quickly escalated into an ugly melee involving several players and even water carriers.

A Mossman player reportedly left the field bleeding from his face.

Officials called off the match and awarded the points to Mossman due to a Brothers’ bench player running on to the field to join the brawl.

Mossman coach Roy Zammataro, who coached local juniors for eight years, has since resigned citing unacceptable
violence.

Mr Zammataro was reluctant to comment yesterday but criticised Cairns District Junior Rugby League for "not cracking down" on violence.

His replacement as Mossman coach, Christian Addison, said the incident had affected local footy with parents reluctant to let their children play.

"We’re playing this week and I have 10 players available from an original squad of 20," he said.

"A lot of these kids play rugby league and AFL and rugby league is their game, but if this happens, we will lose them to the sport."

Brothers’ juniors representatives could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

Callers to The Cairns Post yesterday accused a Brothers’ water carrier, whose son was playing in the match, of joining the melee.

CDJRL general manager Dave Maiden said while water carriers on both sides should have let referees settle the dispute, they had no case to answer.

For Brothers, two players were suspended for seven and five weeks but will be eligible to play again after three and four weeks respectively.

The injured Mossman player was found guilty but discharged without penalty.

"It was an ugly incident and the 15s are a bit of a problem age group," Mr Maiden said
yesterday.

"Unfortunately, at the start of each year, there can be a bit more angst but we’ve jumped straight on it and want to make sure there are no repeats."

The ugly incident is the second fight to mar a junior rugby league match this season.

The Cairns Post on Tuesday revealed two footy mums had a punch-up during a game between Edmonton Storm and Central Scorpions at Edmonton.

 

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