AFL Northern Territory (AFLNT) has completed its investigation into the Big Rivers Football League (BRFL) 2022 Grand Final incident.
The investigation was completed by an independent investigator appointed by the AFL Integrity Unit.
Statements and interviews were conducted with representatives from the Katherine Camels Football Club, the Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club, Katherine Police, Match Day security, Umpires, and Match Day staff.
The official video footage from the game was also examined as part of the process.
1. Key Findings:
1. There is no evidence to support any player from the Katherine Camels or the Ngukurr Bulldogs being involved in any of the crowd violence following the completion of the match. There was strong evidence to show that Ngukurr players attempted to control the crowd that entered the field.
2. There was sufficient evidence to place notice of charge/notice of breach on several Ngukurr Bulldogs players, namely Jake Ferrell, Mario Joshua and Nico Farrell, for incidents leading up to and at the final siren and Katherine Camels runner Matthew McDonald for an incident against a Ngukurr player following the final siren.
3. Both Security company representatives and Police stated that the venue’s perimeter and fencing was not sufficient. Patrons removed from the venue were returning through gaps in the perimeter.
4. The decision made by the BRFL to schedule the Men’s Grand Final in the evening could have contributed to the issues experienced.
5. There is evidence of ongoing hostility between the Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club and the Katherine Camels Football Club that hasn’t been acted upon appropriately by either club and may have added to the events at the 2022 BRFL Grand Final.
2. Outcomes:
1. The following on-field incidents have resulted in the following Notices of Charge:
Jake Farrell of Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club has been charged with striking, resulting in a three-match penalty. Farrell can accept a two-match penalty with an early guilty plea.
In addition, Jake Farrell of Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club has also been charged with serious misconduct, making contact with an umpire, resulting in a four-match penalty. Farrell can accept a three-match penalty with an early guilty plea.
Mario Joshua of Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club has been charged with serious misconduct, making contact with an umpire, resulting in a four-match penalty. Joshua can accept a three-match penalty with an early guilty plea.
Nico Farrell of Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club has been charged with behaving in an abusive, insulting, threatening or obscene manner towards or in relation to an umpire, resulting in a three-match penalty. Farrell can accept a two-match penalty with an early guilty plea.
2. The following players/ officials will receive Notice of Breaches, relating to Codes of Conduct:
Matthew McDonald of Katherine Camels Football Club will receive a notice of breach for striking another person; resulting in a fifteen-match penalty. McDonald can accept a twelve-match penalty with an early guilty plea.
Under the serious code of conduct, relating to engaging in crowd violence, all identified spectators involved in the incident will receive a minimum 5-year ban from all AFLNT events and venues.
The Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club have indicated that they will continue to work with AFLNT to identify individuals involved in the altercation at the end of the match.
AFLNT will continue to work with community stakeholders to identify all people involved.
3. Club outcomes:
a. Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club
The Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club will receive a $8,000.00 fine, with $4,000.00 being suspended for the next three BRFL seasons. The suspended amount will be implemented if the club has any connection to any serious on or off-field incidents.
If the Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club are involved in any serious incidents in the future their license to compete will be under review.
The Ngukurr Bulldogs Football Club will be required to undertake the following prior to the commencement of the 2023 season:
- An education program on the game environment and leadership.
- A community-based education campaign around expectations when attending football;
- Engagement in and commitment to competition-wide planning centred on improving the game environment; and
- Attendance at a Behaviour Change Program delivered in conjunction with Catholic Care NT
b. Katherine Camels Football Club
The Katherine Camels Football Club will receive a $2,000.00 fine that will be fully suspended for the next 3 seasons and will be implemented if the club has any connection to any serious on or off field incidents.
The Katherine Camels Football Club are to complete Governance training and engage in and commit to competition wide planning centred on improving the game environment before the commencement of the 2023 season.
4. Further Outcomes:
1. AFLNT will work with key stakeholders to review potential game environment initiatives for the BRFL from season 2023 onwards.
2. AFLNT to conduct a review of the facility with the Katherine Town Council to assess potential resolutions to current infrastructure at the venue, when hosting AFLNT events.
3. AFLNT to conduct an event debrief with key stakeholders with key findings to inform future planning for events such as the BRFL Grand Final.
4. AFLNT to conduct a series of club forums and community education in the lead-up to the 2023 season.
AFLNT prioritises the environment in which we play our game and takes incidents of violence very seriously. There is no place for violence in our game.
AFLNT will make no further statement with regards to the incidents during the 2022 BRFL Season.