Missing the target !

Rugby League is certainly a contact sport and sometimes tempers get out of hand - and this leads to a bit of " biffo " !  On August 11 an under nineteen  semi final was being played between the Waratah's and the Mt Druitt based " Western City Tigers " - and some players were from an Aboriginal or Pacific Islander background.

When the final whistle blew and the two teams commenced to shake hands it seems someone made a very disparaging - and possibly racist - remark.  It seems uncontested that some Tiger's players threw the first punches and this quickly developed into an all in brawl.

The match officials would have had this under control very quickly, but parents and spectators rushed onto the field and joined in the fray.  The stoush turned ugly when video was later examined and showed instances of head stomping and similar contact.

The League judiciary have handed down some incredible punishment.  One player will be thirty-seven years old when he can legally return to the game and others have been banned for twenty, twelve, ten and five year periods.  In fact, six Tiger players have been banned for a cumulative total of ninety-two years.

Many people will believe that the judiciary completely missed the point.  What was initially a minor fracas turned ugly when adult parents and spectators chose to wade in to the fight on the pitch - and encourage the younger players to not only continue the fight, but to use " boots and all " tactics.

This is a typical example of the violence that is being imposed on many forms of juvenile sport by overly aggressive parents.   Some kids are reluctant to play in teams because of the attitude of parents who impose their views in unpleasant after match reviews.   It is common to see such parents raging from the sidelines and howling abuse at the match officials.

In this instance, all the blame has been levelled at the young players and no action taken against those who invaded the field.    The League judiciary has taken the easy way out.   Certainly the Tigers were the aggressors and punishment is richly deserved, but many would question the degree handed out.

Any spectator who runs onto the ground at a major sporting event faces arrest - and at least a heavy fine or possible a prison sentence.   It's time this same penalty applies to juvenile sport to discourage the sort of fracas that occurred on August 11.

The television coverage clearly identifies the culprits !