By Gavin Staindl and
PARENTS, players and supporters of clubs in Sunday’s grand finals of the South East Junior Football League have been warned to be on their best behaviour – or face the consequences.
The “behave or else” ultimatum comes after an ugly incident at an under-nines match between Narre South Lions Gold and Narre North Foxes this month – and a post-siren clash of spectators at Sunday’s Narre Warren-Noble Park under-16s preliminary final at Shepley Oval.
Tempers became frayed when a water carrier from the victorious Narre Warren team “spilt” water. It happened to “hit” an adult from Noble Park.
Parents and players from both sides had to be separated.
“There was swearing and screaming and it could have got out of control,” one witness said.
“It had been hard footy, very hard footy with big bumps and the like … but nothing illegal.
“It only started to get ugly at the end of the game. People had to be pulled away from each other.”
The SEJ began investigations on Monday. It was still hearing the matter when the Gazette went to press.
“We are still determining the facts … but at first glance it doesn’t appear as if it is too severe,” SEJ general operations manager Shaun Connell said.
Narre Warren, which won the game by six goals, plays Dandenong North in the grand final on Sunday.
The incident comes only weeks after the SEJ defended itself over claims that a stoush broke out in an under-nines match between Narre South Lions Gold and Narre Warren Foxes this month.
The post-game altercation between parents and spectators made widespread headlines, forcing the SEJ to crack down on negative parent involvement at junior games.
“Junior football is about kids having fun and parents supporting in a positive and encouraging way and for the majority of our 1400 games played every season this is the case,” Connell said on the SEJ website.
“The South East Juniors is proud to say it has a great competition with 4500 players and hundreds of volunteers providing children with an enjoyable environment to play football.
“With the coming finals it is a timely reminder to all spectators and officials of their responsibilities to their kids and the game to behave in a manner that is reflective of what we want for our children.”
Sunday’s grand finals in the SEJ will be played at Sweeney Reserve, Narre Warren, Shepley Oval, Dandenong and Moodemere Street, Noble Park.
For full fixtures, turn to Footy 12.