A rugby league match involving a host of former NRL stars descended into chaos on Sunday after a sideline scuffle spiralled into a wild brawl.
The melee unfolded during the second half of the Round 9 Rugby League Central Coast first-grade clash between Kincumber and Ourimbah at MacKillop Oval.
Tensions were already running high on the field, with one player from each side sent to the sin bin following a heated confrontation.
With the game in the balance, an Ourimbah player was spear tackled, prompting a teammate to charge in and strike one of the opponents involved in the tackle.
Minutes later, chaos erupted on the sidelines. Footage shows a woman involved in a physical altercation with a man, who is believed to be an Ourimbah supporter.
The pair were seen pushing and shoving before the man was dragged to the ground from behind by another spectator. That incident triggered a brawl.
Play was stopped during a Central Coast Rugby League first-grade clash as rival supporters clashed on the sideline (pictured)
As the confrontation became physical, officials and spectators from both sides charged in
A flurry of punches was thrown, and officials paused the match for approximately five minutes. Players stood back as the situation escalated beyond the field.
Rugby League Central Coast board chairman Nathan Waugh confirmed an incident report had been submitted.
‘We’re aware of the incident,’ he told News Corp.
‘We have the footage that has been circulating and this has been passed on to NSW Rugby League.’
Waugh said formal code of conduct charges were likely to follow.
‘From that we expect code of conduct matters to be raised against individuals that are identified as being involved,’ he said.
‘At this stage it’s an ongoing investigation.’
He called the incident ‘ugly’ and said it had no place in rugby league.
The off-field incident came after a nasty passage of play on the field, which began when this Ourimbah player was spear tackled
An Ourimbah teammate came flying in to strike the offending tackler from Kincumber
Players from both sides rushed in as tensions flared, resulting in two players being sin-binned
‘We never want to see that at any rugby league game or any community level sport,’ Waugh said.
‘Ultimately we would expect there would be consequences for those involved.’
Despite the disruption, the game resumed and Kincumber held on to win 24-20.
The Kincumber Colts released a public statement on Monday, addressing the incident directly.
They said the clash stemmed from a ‘misunderstanding between individuals known to one another’.
‘It was not through malice or animosity,’ the statement read.
‘While the situation was concerning in the moment, it was resolved quickly.’
They added that both clubs agreed not to escalate the matter to the NSWRL.
Several former NRL players involved in the match, including premiership winner James Maloney (pictured, centre)
Former Cronulla Sharks forward David Fifita (pictured second from left speaking to James Maloney, right) was also involved in the match
‘Apologies were exchanged, and the match continued in good spirits,’ the club said.
‘Ourimbah and Kincumber remain committed to providing a safe and respectful environment.’
Sunday’s incident follows a dramatic start to the Central Coast season, with Kincumber making headlines for their powerhouse roster.
The Colts have been accused of ‘destroying’ the competition after fielding five former NRL players.
The controversy reached boiling point when Kincumber thrashed Terrigal 60-0 in Round 1, ending the match early under the mercy rule.
Critics claim their dominance undermines the balance of the local competition.
But captain-coach David Fifita defended his side.
‘I know we will cop a lot of criticism but we’re following the rules,’ Fifita said.
The club’s playing roster, which includes Fifita, Matt Moylan, Nathan Davis, Ben Marschke and Ben Thomas, has been cleared under the NSWRL’s Player Points Index System.
Meanwhile, former NRL playmaker James Maloney captained Ourimbah for Sunday’s match.
Maloney returned to the Central Coast after a coaching stint with the North Queensland Cowboys ended abruptly last year.
He previously played juniors with the Magpies before building a decorated NRL career.
