1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:02,440 Speaker 1: We have had quite a few people in contact with 2 00:00:02,520 --> 00:00:05,800 Speaker 1: us over the course of the weekend as well, and 3 00:00:05,920 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: well as we know, there was chaos in the grandstand 4 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:13,000 Speaker 1: at the nrl NT match on Saturday night. Now, at 5 00:00:13,000 --> 00:00:15,960 Speaker 1: the end of the semi final clash between Lichfield Bears 6 00:00:16,000 --> 00:00:19,160 Speaker 1: and the Darwin Brothers, a fight broke out in the stands, 7 00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:22,400 Speaker 1: with police needing to be called. Now it's understood there 8 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:24,919 Speaker 1: was a lot of tension in the last part of 9 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:27,200 Speaker 1: the game as the score was pretty close in those 10 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:31,840 Speaker 1: final moments. So while Litchfield claimed that victory securing their 11 00:00:31,840 --> 00:00:34,840 Speaker 1: spot in the Grand Final, a punch up broke out 12 00:00:35,200 --> 00:00:38,160 Speaker 1: between fans. Now I've seen the vision. I've been sent 13 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:41,480 Speaker 1: that vision over the weekend. Joining me on the line 14 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:45,320 Speaker 1: to talk more about this is nrl NT's general manager 15 00:00:45,720 --> 00:00:47,839 Speaker 1: Tony Crow. Good morning, Tony. 16 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:50,680 Speaker 2: Good morning Katie. How are you? Yeah? 17 00:00:50,760 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 1: Not too bad mate, Bit of a shame to be 18 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:56,360 Speaker 1: talking about this. I mean, we all love our footy 19 00:00:56,600 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: and to see what happened in the stands on Saturday, 20 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:03,080 Speaker 1: I mean you must be pretty bloody. 21 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:07,120 Speaker 2: Annoyed, Yes, Katie. I particularly ran across the day there 22 00:01:07,160 --> 00:01:10,520 Speaker 2: was some amazing on field football displayed by our players, 23 00:01:10,560 --> 00:01:12,800 Speaker 2: and this has been a constant thing for us this year. 24 00:01:12,840 --> 00:01:16,040 Speaker 2: Where the football on the field is excellent, behavior is 25 00:01:16,080 --> 00:01:18,720 Speaker 2: an ongoing problem for us, not just for rugby league, 26 00:01:18,720 --> 00:01:21,480 Speaker 2: but I think anybody going down the local shopping center 27 00:01:21,560 --> 00:01:24,600 Speaker 2: or walking down the street has got concerns around their safety. 28 00:01:25,000 --> 00:01:26,800 Speaker 2: You know, we had around three and a half to 29 00:01:26,920 --> 00:01:29,640 Speaker 2: four thousand people at pair of stad him across the 30 00:01:29,720 --> 00:01:32,840 Speaker 2: day supporting community rugby league, and we've got two or 31 00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 2: three individuals that have showed no respect to anybody else 32 00:01:36,280 --> 00:01:39,440 Speaker 2: there and they behaved in such a way that's not 33 00:01:39,480 --> 00:01:42,040 Speaker 2: acceptable when they come into our house. And you know, 34 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:46,440 Speaker 2: quite frankly, between na LNT and our clubs and our tireless, 35 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:50,920 Speaker 2: hard working volunteers, you know, we've you know, we've we've 36 00:01:50,920 --> 00:01:53,040 Speaker 2: fed up, We've had enough, and you know we don't 37 00:01:53,080 --> 00:01:56,120 Speaker 2: deserve it. The game doesn't deserve it. But yeah, two 38 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:58,639 Speaker 2: or three people out of nearly four thousand people across 39 00:01:58,640 --> 00:02:01,120 Speaker 2: the day, it's just yeah, wow. 40 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:04,200 Speaker 1: Tony, I've seen the footage, a few different angles of 41 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:05,680 Speaker 1: that footage and it's a shock. 42 00:02:06,160 --> 00:02:08,400 Speaker 3: I mean, what investigation is. 43 00:02:08,360 --> 00:02:12,239 Speaker 1: Now underway by NRLNT to work out exactly who these 44 00:02:12,280 --> 00:02:15,280 Speaker 1: individuals are and you know what the next steps are 45 00:02:15,320 --> 00:02:15,640 Speaker 1: going to be. 46 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:18,920 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's due process at the moment for us, but 47 00:02:18,960 --> 00:02:22,639 Speaker 2: also the police are managing the investigation also as part 48 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 2: of what pretty much commenced from straight afterwards, there was 49 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:30,160 Speaker 2: interviews on going upstairs behind closed doors with individuals and 50 00:02:30,200 --> 00:02:33,959 Speaker 2: the matter is still being investigated by the police. Our 51 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:38,720 Speaker 2: operations team and mass review are working through tireless ends 52 00:02:38,760 --> 00:02:44,000 Speaker 2: of vision and correspondence to seeds from individuals. So that'll 53 00:02:44,040 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 2: be due process, no any other other part of what 54 00:02:47,040 --> 00:02:48,919 Speaker 2: we've done in the past. You know, we've had people 55 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:53,520 Speaker 2: suspended for more than multiple years for offield behaviors this 56 00:02:53,639 --> 00:02:55,959 Speaker 2: year and like I said, from an n ROLNT point 57 00:02:55,960 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 2: of view and our clubs, you know, we're set up 58 00:02:59,200 --> 00:03:02,959 Speaker 2: and we're taught that the minority. But unfortunately, yeah, it's 59 00:03:02,960 --> 00:03:03,640 Speaker 2: got acceptable. 60 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:06,240 Speaker 1: Well look, Tony, to be really blunt with you, it 61 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:08,440 Speaker 1: pisces me off when I see this kind of thing 62 00:03:08,480 --> 00:03:10,680 Speaker 1: because at the end of the day, you know, I 63 00:03:10,760 --> 00:03:14,079 Speaker 1: love footy, I love the NRL, and what I worry 64 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:16,200 Speaker 1: about is that it makes people think that it's a 65 00:03:16,200 --> 00:03:19,240 Speaker 1: thugs game. It's not a thugs game. It's a wonderful game. 66 00:03:19,720 --> 00:03:23,840 Speaker 1: And so it's actually infuriating to see. Then you know 67 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:25,960 Speaker 1: this kind of thing happening in the crowds, And I 68 00:03:26,080 --> 00:03:28,800 Speaker 1: get it, right, Like, I love sport and I'm a 69 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:31,080 Speaker 1: very competitive person, so I get it that you can 70 00:03:31,120 --> 00:03:33,519 Speaker 1: get a bit hot headed when you watch the footy 71 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,360 Speaker 1: or when you watch any other sport. But if you 72 00:03:35,440 --> 00:03:38,280 Speaker 1: know you like that, maybe don't go and maybe. 73 00:03:38,080 --> 00:03:38,880 Speaker 3: Don't have a drink. 74 00:03:39,800 --> 00:03:43,400 Speaker 2: Exactly right, Katie, And you know, responsible serving of alcohol 75 00:03:43,520 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 2: is in place for you ensure that's you know, that 76 00:03:46,160 --> 00:03:49,880 Speaker 2: is the whole part of us owning it. But we've 77 00:03:49,920 --> 00:03:54,119 Speaker 2: increased security, We've increased signage in education and awareness. I'm 78 00:03:54,160 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 2: an ambassador there with no more. And we're particularly named 79 00:03:56,920 --> 00:04:00,480 Speaker 2: our final series around supporting the Stand initiative, you know, 80 00:04:00,720 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 2: reducing and creating great awareness around domestic and family violence. 81 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,480 Speaker 2: And here we have these three people in particular that 82 00:04:08,440 --> 00:04:12,000 Speaker 2: have got us talking about such a negative around sport 83 00:04:12,120 --> 00:04:15,920 Speaker 2: and all sports. This is an issue across all sports, 84 00:04:16,000 --> 00:04:18,240 Speaker 2: across most parts of the world. And if I look 85 00:04:18,320 --> 00:04:20,640 Speaker 2: on social media or read papers and everything like that, 86 00:04:21,320 --> 00:04:23,520 Speaker 2: and he's not the one place having these issues with 87 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 2: certain people as spectators on the ground, Like I said, 88 00:04:27,760 --> 00:04:30,360 Speaker 2: the players and volunteers deserve better. You know this year, 89 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:32,560 Speaker 2: earlier this year, we had had a club and a 90 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:35,480 Speaker 2: team particularly lose competition points because of the behavior of 91 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:38,840 Speaker 2: their spectators. This could happen in this incident. But what 92 00:04:38,880 --> 00:04:41,560 Speaker 2: I will say in this incident from what I'm led 93 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:43,039 Speaker 2: to believe at this stage, and I've got to be 94 00:04:43,080 --> 00:04:45,599 Speaker 2: careful in what I say here, but the people involved 95 00:04:45,600 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 2: in this incident were not from the two clubs competing 96 00:04:50,000 --> 00:04:51,760 Speaker 2: in the game of football that you talked about at 97 00:04:51,800 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 2: the end. Were amazing into the game. So these two 98 00:04:55,080 --> 00:04:58,440 Speaker 2: individuals or three individuals are not related to the two 99 00:04:58,480 --> 00:05:01,159 Speaker 2: clubs that were participating at the time. 100 00:05:01,600 --> 00:05:05,279 Speaker 1: So even so, if it's now found that they're linked 101 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:08,039 Speaker 1: to other clubs that are still in the finals race, 102 00:05:08,640 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 1: could those like what could happen? What are the ramifications 103 00:05:11,520 --> 00:05:12,839 Speaker 1: potentially for those clubs? 104 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:17,159 Speaker 2: Absolutely it can have a ramification with the clubs. But 105 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 2: as I said earlier, our club presidency is they're working hard. 106 00:05:20,240 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 2: Everybody on the committee's are working hard to hold people accountable, 107 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:28,320 Speaker 2: put code of conduct programs and processes in place. But 108 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:31,360 Speaker 2: sometimes you know, once again, it's a lot of work, 109 00:05:31,400 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: a lot of time for these people, and you know, 110 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 2: at most of the times, as you know, with volunteers 111 00:05:35,000 --> 00:05:38,040 Speaker 2: as stretched as it is. But we are talking about 112 00:05:38,040 --> 00:05:41,280 Speaker 2: the minority here. It's not the majority, it's the minority. 113 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:44,960 Speaker 2: And unfortunately US as the governing body and that club 114 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:48,640 Speaker 2: spends very much negative time focusing on trying to reduce 115 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:52,280 Speaker 2: the negative impacts by the minority. It's just where does 116 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:54,800 Speaker 2: it end? And we all then, unfortunately lose sight of 117 00:05:54,839 --> 00:05:56,760 Speaker 2: all the great things that are happening, not just on 118 00:05:56,800 --> 00:05:58,719 Speaker 2: the field, but off the field too, Tony. 119 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:01,760 Speaker 1: Someone's just messaged and said there's a feeling across the 120 00:06:01,880 --> 00:06:06,000 Speaker 1: NRLNT community the peak body here in the Northern Territory 121 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 1: are burying their heads in the sand and not taking 122 00:06:09,200 --> 00:06:13,600 Speaker 1: strong action, which is leading to people walking away in sponsors, 123 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:17,279 Speaker 1: pulling funding to clubs. I mean, what do you say 124 00:06:17,279 --> 00:06:18,960 Speaker 1: to those concerns. 125 00:06:18,640 --> 00:06:21,880 Speaker 2: Well, we've got more sponsorship and more partners on board 126 00:06:21,920 --> 00:06:25,000 Speaker 2: than we've ever had before. Where one actual registration in 127 00:06:25,080 --> 00:06:27,800 Speaker 2: our females space for having the most females play rugby 128 00:06:27,839 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 2: league in the Northern Territory for five years, our participation 129 00:06:31,320 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 2: numbers are up five percent overall. Against the population growth 130 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 2: of you know, the population growth of the Northern territory, 131 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 2: which is minimal. So our game is in great shape, 132 00:06:40,839 --> 00:06:46,920 Speaker 2: whether it's corporate partners, media partners, governments, relationships, We're heavily 133 00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:48,840 Speaker 2: supported by name more. And I've been on the front 134 00:06:48,839 --> 00:06:51,479 Speaker 2: of those guys this morning, and they're checking in because 135 00:06:51,480 --> 00:06:53,479 Speaker 2: they know what we're doing in this space, and they're 136 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:56,080 Speaker 2: checking in on our mental health and well being because 137 00:06:56,160 --> 00:07:00,480 Speaker 2: they know that we're constantly taking a stance and up 138 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:03,320 Speaker 2: and trying to reduce this so we're not putting our 139 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:04,840 Speaker 2: heads in the stands. So those people who are some 140 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 2: of these techniques obviously ill informed and don't understand. And 141 00:07:09,520 --> 00:07:11,560 Speaker 2: particularly if those people want to jump up and be 142 00:07:11,600 --> 00:07:14,080 Speaker 2: a volunteer and support our game, that's probably where they're 143 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:14,960 Speaker 2: going to add more values. 144 00:07:15,280 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 3: Tony. 145 00:07:15,800 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 1: There are as we know, there are just a few 146 00:07:17,800 --> 00:07:20,920 Speaker 1: weeks left or a couple of weeks left with the finals. 147 00:07:20,960 --> 00:07:25,320 Speaker 1: We're obviously you know at the pointy end. Some may 148 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 1: be worrying that there's you know, there is potential for 149 00:07:28,960 --> 00:07:34,480 Speaker 1: you know, the feeling of intensity I guess to intensify 150 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:39,080 Speaker 1: as we as we push closer to the finals. What 151 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:41,200 Speaker 1: are you going to take some additional steps or what 152 00:07:41,240 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 1: are the NRL and going to do to ensure that 153 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:46,440 Speaker 1: you know, what's happening in the crowds doesn't get worse. 154 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:50,280 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, good question, and I appreciate it. Look where 155 00:07:50,360 --> 00:07:54,200 Speaker 2: more proactive than being reactive. As I said earlier, We've 156 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 2: increase our security levels on game day this year, We've 157 00:07:57,680 --> 00:08:00,760 Speaker 2: increased our grand management support on game day this year. 158 00:08:00,840 --> 00:08:04,320 Speaker 2: We've increased our education, increase our awareness. We've increased the 159 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:07,840 Speaker 2: penalties handled down to these individuals. So we'll manage it appropriately. 160 00:08:08,080 --> 00:08:10,360 Speaker 2: Our aim and ultimate name has been, and since I've 161 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:12,440 Speaker 2: been in the role for four years now, is to 162 00:08:12,440 --> 00:08:14,720 Speaker 2: make rugby league the best it can be while in 163 00:08:14,880 --> 00:08:18,560 Speaker 2: providing a fun and safe environment. Our numbers, whether it's dollars, 164 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 2: or whether it's fans, or whether it's sponsors or whether 165 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:24,920 Speaker 2: it's players, are in growth. So we're doing everything that's right. Yeah, 166 00:08:24,960 --> 00:08:26,800 Speaker 2: there's a few people out there that are ill informed. 167 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 2: There's a few people out there that want to take 168 00:08:29,440 --> 00:08:32,280 Speaker 2: every opportunity to bring something down. You know, we're not 169 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:34,079 Speaker 2: just the only ones. The government cops it on a 170 00:08:34,160 --> 00:08:37,320 Speaker 2: daily basis. I listened to your show. Anybody with authority 171 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:40,040 Speaker 2: or anybody trying to do anything positive out there is 172 00:08:40,080 --> 00:08:42,920 Speaker 2: brought down I was told in my first three months 173 00:08:43,000 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 2: or four months in the role that I was doing, 174 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 2: I wasn't going to laugh. This is dar and this 175 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 2: is how we do things. No, sorry, we don't do 176 00:08:49,520 --> 00:08:51,200 Speaker 2: it the way it used to be. We do it 177 00:08:51,240 --> 00:08:53,880 Speaker 2: the way it's supposed to be. And our object is 178 00:08:53,960 --> 00:08:57,080 Speaker 2: and always will be about providing a fun, safe environment 179 00:08:57,360 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 2: and rugby league adding value to the community on and 180 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:00,880 Speaker 2: off the field. 181 00:09:01,240 --> 00:09:04,200 Speaker 1: Tony, we are like on to a positive. I know 182 00:09:04,280 --> 00:09:06,520 Speaker 1: it's been a heavy interview, but on to a positive. 183 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:09,840 Speaker 1: We are into the last couple of weeks obviously of 184 00:09:09,880 --> 00:09:10,400 Speaker 1: the footy. 185 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:14,480 Speaker 3: You know, how is it looking on field? 186 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:18,200 Speaker 2: Well? I feeling, like I said, Saturday we had some 187 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:21,200 Speaker 2: amazing football, whether it was the junior preliminary finals and 188 00:09:21,240 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 2: we looked ahead to our grand finals for our juniors 189 00:09:23,480 --> 00:09:26,400 Speaker 2: on Saturday, which is going to be amazing, but our 190 00:09:26,720 --> 00:09:30,080 Speaker 2: senior semi finals on Saturday. You know, our Gatley Shield 191 00:09:30,120 --> 00:09:35,320 Speaker 2: games scores were eleven ten and eleven twelve. You know, 192 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:39,839 Speaker 2: so close. The women's game, as I said, even off 193 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:43,600 Speaker 2: the last year's Grand final incidence, you know where we're 194 00:09:43,679 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 2: suspended players for a lengthy period of time. Our female 195 00:09:46,480 --> 00:09:48,719 Speaker 2: games is in such great shape and the players to 196 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:51,439 Speaker 2: be commended. The level of footage that was displayed on 197 00:09:51,480 --> 00:09:53,760 Speaker 2: the weekend was amazing and I wish we were talking 198 00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:57,800 Speaker 2: more about that. And then we've obviously got our Senior 199 00:09:57,800 --> 00:10:01,320 Speaker 2: Grand Final on the sixth of September. Yeah, no, the 200 00:10:01,360 --> 00:10:03,800 Speaker 2: game is in great shape to spot what the minority 201 00:10:03,840 --> 00:10:06,559 Speaker 2: think out there. I've just come away from Event Cinemas 202 00:10:06,559 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 2: out of Parmerson. We've got our Junior presentation night out 203 00:10:09,120 --> 00:10:12,000 Speaker 2: there with almost two hundred and fifty people at Kenning. 204 00:10:12,080 --> 00:10:14,080 Speaker 2: You know, we're going to put on popcorn and hot 205 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:18,240 Speaker 2: dogs and a drink and a free movie after the presentations. 206 00:10:18,400 --> 00:10:20,839 Speaker 2: You know, this is an event that's bringing people together 207 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:24,040 Speaker 2: and enjoying a good time through rugby League. So that's 208 00:10:24,080 --> 00:10:26,960 Speaker 2: what we're focused on. We're excited about where the game is, 209 00:10:27,559 --> 00:10:30,960 Speaker 2: but unfortunately there's a couple of small things that you know, 210 00:10:31,000 --> 00:10:33,000 Speaker 2: we don't take for granted, and we'll continue to work 211 00:10:33,040 --> 00:10:37,160 Speaker 2: hard to reduce this negative impact on the community and 212 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 2: we just do it through Rugby League. Katie. 213 00:10:38,840 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, Tony, I know you are going to talk 214 00:10:41,160 --> 00:10:43,680 Speaker 1: to Dan throughout the week about the good stuff anyway, mate, 215 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:45,439 Speaker 1: So I appreciate your time this morning. 216 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:47,760 Speaker 3: Thank you very much for speaking to us today. 217 00:10:48,880 --> 00:10:51,000 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie and here I thought the Dolphins loss was 218 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:51,480 Speaker 2: the worsting. 219 00:10:51,480 --> 00:10:53,719 Speaker 1: Oh mate, that was the worst thing that happened for 220 00:10:53,800 --> 00:10:55,320 Speaker 1: me on the weekend, that's for sure. 221 00:10:55,760 --> 00:10:58,800 Speaker 3: Thank you very much. Thank you for having a chat 222 00:10:58,800 --> 00:10:59,640 Speaker 3: with us this morning.