A NETBALL award has been used as a weapon during a brawl at an Albury pub.
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A Howlong Spiders player was hit in the back of the head with the pewter mug at Soden’s on Saturday night.
A Spiders spokesman said three patrons at the pub had started a fight with a player, with other footballers from the club getting involved.
The mug, which had been handed out as a netball award, was thrown by a 28-year-old footballer and ricocheted into another player’s head, the spokesman said.
The man received a 35-millimetre cut to the back of his head.
The club spokesman said the player hadn’t meant to hit the victim with the mug.
He was charged with reckless wounding and affray and will front Albury Local Court on July 18.
Detective Inspector Winston Woodward said it was unclear what had sparked the altercation, which was captured by security cameras.
“People attending licensed premises, whether you’re from a football club or not, it’s not a green light to go out, drink copious amounts of alcohol and become involved in antisocial behaviour and violent confrontation,” he said.
“I just believe that people should know their levels of intoxication, and know that there are laws, and there are consequences, for breaking those laws.”
About 80 people attended the function.
Detective Inspector Woodward described what had occurred at the Wilson Street venue as “a serious incident”.
“Detectives have charged a man, he will face Albury Local Court under malicious wounding charges,” he said.
The club spokesman said the incident was unfortunate.
“Soden’s were really good – they were fantastic about it,” he said.
“They handled the situation really well.
“It was just unfortunate this group of three blokes wanted to stir things up.”
The player hasn’t taken to the field much this season, but has been at the club for several years.
The club function was attended by football and netball players, their partners and others connected to the team.
Several teams use Soden’s for functions, but it’s believed the three people said to have started the brawl at the venue are not from a different club.
