A brutal brawl that broke out after Manly’s thrilling finals win over the Bulldogs on Sunday was captured on camera as one man was left hospitalised and police were forced to rush fans to safety.
The alleged brawl broke out after Canterbury’s shock defeat and several men were seen apparently fighting near a lift inside Accor Stadium in Homebush, west of Sydney.
The video of the confrontation appears to show a man being punched in the head before a woman attempts to calm the situation by stepping between the men.
One of the men was seen with blood coming out of his mouth and another had blood on his shirt, according to News Corporation.
It took up to 12 police officers and security guards to stop the confrontation, with officers locking fans behind glass doors for their own safety as they were prevented from leaving the venue until the confrontation was over.
“At approximately 6:00pm on Sunday 15 September, Accor Stadium Police became aware of a fight in the lift lobby of Level 3, West, Private Suites,” NSW Police said in a statement on Monday.
‘Police attended and found a 29-year-old Auburn man had suffered facial injuries, while a second man, a 30-year-old Greenacre man, was suffering extensive facial injuries.
‘The first man was taken to Concord Hospital for further treatment, while the second man refused treatment.’
Police herded fans to safety and prevented them from leaving the stadium as a dozen officers and security guards attempted to break up the alleged clash (pictured)
One man (third from right) appeared to be punched in the face during the incident, leaving one man with what police called “extensive facial injuries.”
Detectives are investigating and have asked witnesses to contact them if they have any information.
The scenes unfolded after Manly pulled off a dramatic last-minute 24-22 victory over their more favoured opponents.
Canterbury controlled long stretches of the match at the Accor Stadium and made life difficult for Tom Trbojevic as he returned from a much-discussed shoulder problem.
But when the game needed a hero, Trbojevic unleashed the play that gave Manly the win, the Sea Eagles moving left and sending in Tolu Koula thanks to the centre’s 45-metre run.
Reuben Garrick gave Manly the lead with his ensuing conversion, and Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton was unable to erase their deficit despite two late attempts at a two-point field goal.
Manly will now face the Sydney Roosters in a semi-final at Allianz Stadium next Saturday, with Trbojevic set to line up despite falling awkwardly on his shoulder in the first half on Sunday.
“He’s fine. He’ll be back in action,” Manly coach Anthony Seibold said after the win.
The alleged brawl erupted after Manly star Tom Trbojevic (pictured carrying the ball) defied a painful shoulder injury to play a starring role in his side’s comeback.
‘It was a real football finals game, the score was tight, the Bulldogs were probably on top for most of the game.
“We held firm and as the game progressed the score didn’t go away from us. I’m very proud of the boys.”
Viliame Kikau and Stephen Crichton were the architects of a 16-12 half-time lead that did not do justice to the Bulldogs, who rediscovered their physicality and made life difficult for Trbojevic.
Following a pass from Trbojevic, Kikau passed the ball to Jacob Kiraz for a score, before weaving his way past the Manly fullback for his own four-pointer.
Trbojevic was again caught out of position before the Bulldogs’ third goal, losing the run to the ball when Crichton touched down Burton’s shot.
But after the break, Trbojevic started looking for the ball.
“He had another injection at halftime, but that was always planned,” Seibold said.
“He landed on it (the shoulder) in the first half… you probably saw him get more involved in the second half.”
With his side trailing by four points going into the final 10 minutes, Trbojevic delivered the pass that sparked Manly’s foray down the left and a crucial try to Koula that caught the Bulldogs napping on the final play.