A VIOLENT on-field brawl between two teenage football teams from Lalor had been brewing for weeks, it has been revealed.
Police confirmed that they feared violence six weeks before the clash between the Lalor Stars and Lalor Bloods under-17s sent two players to hospital on Sunday, May 27.
“Police attended at a football ground in Sydney Crescent, Lalor, on 15 April just before 5pm in relation to opposing sides allegedly planning to fight,” Senior Constable Kendra Jackson said. “Upon arrival, there was no fight and no offence was detected.”
She did not comment on allegations that one of the players had posted threats on Facebook.
Northern Football League chief executive officer Jeremy Bourke said he was aware of the rumours and had warned both clubs about the league’s social media policy and the risk of club suspension or fines over Facebook postings.
He was aware of police attending the April match but said there had been no incidents.
The two teams were down for last weekend’s games and there would be a general bye this weekend , he said.
“The unfortunate thing is players who do the right things are affected … by having to rejig the fixtures,” he said.
Witnesses revealed the ferocity of the attack at the WA Reserve in Lalor during the final quarter when the police helicopter was called in.
“It was all in,” said a fan who did not want to be named.
“The fight kept escalating and kids were getting bombarded. It lasted for a minute, maybe 90 seconds, then people were milling around, the coaches, trainers and fans went on the ground to try and cool it down.”
Both police and the league are investigating. No charges have been laid.
