Junior S'au Races to Save Boy

Photo: Graham Crowther

A horrified family appeal for help as a boy is crushed in his seat as fighting broke out in the stands at a rugby league match on Monday.

The brawl happened at a First Utilities Super League match between the Salford Red Devils and Huddersfield Giants at the West Yorkshire club's John Smith's Stadium.

A small group of Salford fans are said to have caused trouble throughout the game, including refusing to throw the ball back, and began arguing and fighting with stewards at the final whistle, with women and young children getting caught up in it.

Players from Salford, including New Zealander Junior S'au, rushed over to the stand apparently in response to cries for help from their own family members. S’au grappled with one man before pinning him to the ground.

A fan club dedicated to Salford called Salford's Red Army added: “Events that proceeded today's game have no place at Salford or in Rugby League.”

The club apologised afterwards, tweeting: “We'd like to apologise for the behaviour of some of our fans today. We'll be working with @Gianrsrl to find those involved. We do not condone any behaviour of the sort.”

Salford won the match 24-22.

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By Jobe Watson Rekindles Essendon Passion

Jobe Watson needed an overseas holiday to realise he still had the passion to play AFL, let alone lead Essendon. Watson has been confirmed as the Bombers’ captain for 2016, his seventh season at the helm.

New coach John Worsfold sought feedback from the players before confirming Watson’s appointment. Watson detailed his excitement about his coach, the club’s new recruits and pre-season training at Friday’s announcement.

But the 30-year-old admitted it was a different story when the 2015 season – the third impacted by the ongoing anti-doping saga – ended. “I’d just lost the love for the game. It was difficult to go out and play,” Watson said. “I hadn’t thought long and hard about it (retirement) but I knew (playing) wasn’t really making me happy.

“I spent some time away by myself overseas and had a long think about what I wanted out of footy and my role at the football club. I decided I was still really passionate about playing and still had the urge to lead and was excited about leading.”

Worsfold nonetheless conducted a player poll during a training camp in Healesville. The former West Coast coach says it wasn’t a captaincy vote, but he asked every player to rate their teammates in a number of areas. Worsfold suggested Watson was the standout candidate. “I certainly would have challenged him if he looked weary or it looked like it was a burden for him,” he said. “But I didn’t see any of that ... there was never anything from me to say Jobe shouldn’t be captain.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s appeal means the Bombers’ 2012 supplements program continues to sting the club. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) verdict is expected to be handed down soon, with Watson still confident it will be a positive ruling.

“It’s obviously something that is imminent and we’re prepared to deal with it,” Watson said. “In hindsight people always make different decisions,” he added, when asked whether there was anything he’d do differently as captain during the saga. “But the experiences that every player and person involved in this gained will hold them in good stead for their life.”

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