FORMER Rothmans Medal winner and solicitor Mike Eden will assist Lavington Panthers in its investigation into a brawl between spectators that marred Sunday’s Group 9 rugby league grand final at Lavington Oval.
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Mr Eden, who has an association with the Lavington club, said Panthers president Rick O’Connell had agreed to his investigation of the involvement of spectators from Junee and Lavington, and some Lavington players.
“I feel it is important this matter not be sanitised and if any members of the Panthers are found to have behaved inappropriately they should be severely dealt with, including being expelled from the club,” he said.
Mr Eden said the investigation would have the backing of Group 9.
“I have spoken to Group 9 secretary Warren Barclay who has emailed me to say he would like to acknowledge the Panthers being forthright in holding an investigation into its club members,” Mr Eden said.
“Warren said he has been informed police have not received any official complaint and therefore would not be taking the matter further.”
Mr Eden said he was determined to uncover the truth.
“We will be taking statements from as many people as we can,” he said.
Mr Barclay told The Border Mail yesterday each club would hold its own independent investigations only into the behaviour of its own club members.
“Once their investigations are complete they will each submit a report to Group 9, including details of any penalties imposed,” he said.
“Group 9 will then decide if any further action is required.
“It is disappointing 10 minutes of trouble, when we were on show for 8? hours yesterday, has found such prominence because of the idiots on the hill who didn’t want to take responsibility for their own actions. It’s frustrating.”
Mr Barclay confirmed he has approached Wagga’s Daily Advertiser to supply any photographic evidence it had of the incident to assist in the investigations.
Group 9 president Jack Morton said the incident would not harm the Lavington Panthers’ chances of hosting grand finals in the future and group officials were otherwise delighted with the way the day had gone.
“I thought it was a very good day and I don’t think anyone can say it wasn’t; we are very happy with the day,” he said.
“It was disappointing the incident happened but I don’t think it had a massive impact on the day. They always put these things out of proportion a bit in relation to what the day really was.”
The Border Mail was unable to contact Junee secretary Jamie McNamara yesterday.
