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League star arrested in inner city brawl
November 26, 2004 - 8:03AM
Cronulla rugby league star David Peachey was arrested but not charged after a family dispute turned into a brawl in inner Sydney.
Eight people were arrested over the Kings Cross fight, which started about midnight (AEDT), police said.
Four were released without charge, but three were charged with assaulting police and violent disorder while another was issued with a court attendance notice for hindering police.
Cronulla club officials said Peachey, 30, was in Darlinghurst Rd after a function to launch the David Peachey Foundation, a charity organisation founded by the former club captain to help young indigenous sportsmen.
Police said two men began the fight but more people joined in when officers tried to break it up.
Cronulla CEO Steve Rogers said the altercation was between members of Peachey's family.
"David hasn't been charged, David was simply questioned and released," Rogers told the Nine network's Today show.
Rogers said other family members had been charged as a result of the incident.
"After the conclusion of the function there has been an issue amongst David's family," Mr Rogers said.
"David was simply trying to intervene in the matter and was taken away, trying to quieten things down and resolve it.
"It's really disappointing that it's ended up in this kind of incident."
Darlinghurst Rd was closed for a short time while police restored order.
A number of police sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident and one officer was treated at St Vincent's Hospital.
AAP
NRL club signs armed robber
By Adam Hawse
November 14, 2004
THE Cronulla Sharks have signed a convicted armed robber to play in the NRL next season after he rang the club from jail pleading for a second chance.
Lafi Manua walked out of Silverwater jail last month and straight into the Sharks' full-time NRL squad.
The 120kg New Zealand-born front row forward has spent the past four years in jail after committing a string of armed robberies on service stations in late 2000.
But during his time behind bars, Manua dreamed of a second chance and the opportunity to fulfil the promise he had shown as a junior with Canterbury in the late 1990s.
His hopes led him to phone Cronulla chief executive Steve Rogers from inside Silverwater Jail as he approached his release date of October 26.
Manua pleaded for a chance.
"I told him what I did back then was totally out of character and came from hanging around the wrong people," Manua said.
"When I was inside footy was what kept me going. I'd wake up some mornings and think: 'when I get out I want to play'."
Rogers said when he accepted the call from Manua, he told him to ring back when he was released.
The 26-year-old jumped at the opening, and made another call to Rogers when he became a free man. And two days later was sitting in his office.
"Everyone's entitled to a second chance," Rogers said.
"We've all made mistakes and at the end of the day he realises he made a huge error.
"I was impressed with what he said so we've brought him on and we'll see where it goes.
"But I certainly made it very clear it's only the one chance."
Manua was sentenced to seven years' jail for eight robberies in which he carried a
But exemplary behaviour saw him released as soon as he was eligible for parole.
In an attempt to better himself Manua voluntarily spent time in 10 different jails so he could gain access to certain rehabilitation programs.
And the governor of Silverwater Jail was so pleased with his progress, he gave Manua permission to marry his girlfriend Katrina in a service at the Chinese Gardens in Darling Harbour last May under strict guidelines. These included a ban on alcohol and Manua donning a tracking device. Manua, a former NSW under-19s prop, turned to crime when income dried up after he lost his job as a forklift operator and suffered a serious knee injury.
"I still remember my first day inside - I kept thinking I must be dreaming, that I shouldn't be here," Manua said.
"I'd done something bad and it changed the course of my life.
"I just couldn't believe I was in jail - growing up I never pictured myself being in jail."
It had been a humbling experience: "I was too arrogant. I thought football would keep me out of trouble."
After training alongside Cronulla stars David Peachey and Jason Stevens last week, Manua said his goal in life is simple - the chance to pay back those who have had faith in him.
"First of all I just want to play first grade for Cronulla," he said.
"I want to give back to Steve Rogers and Cronulla what they've given to me.
"They've given me this opportunity to play again and resurrect my footy career.
"I want to repay them, my wife, my family, and everyone who's been behind me and urged me on these last four years."
The Sunday Telegraph
League player in court over attack
By Sean Berry
June 20, 2004
The Sun-Herald
A feud between two rugby league players has left one with a fractured cheekbone and the other in jail on assault charges.
Cronulla Sharks first grader Jason Williams faced Parramatta bail court yesterday over a brutal attack on teammate Jeremy Smith.
He was charged with one count of maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm in company and one count of common assault.
Registrar Brian Fenn refused bail due to "the general welfare and protection of both the victim and the community".
Williams, 23 - an off-season buy from the Bulldogs - has been tagged the strongest man at the Sharks.
The 115-kilogram second rower/prop from New Zealand made his first-grade debut this season and had so far played six first-grade for the Sharks. Smith plays for the Sharks' Premier League side.
Sharks chief executive Steve Rogers said Williams is facing the sack from the club after facing court.
"We put him on notice that he would go if there were any further incidents with Jeremy," Rogers said yesterday.
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Rogers said that Smith would likely be unable to play for the rest of the season.
The court was told the feud has been going since January and they had come to blows on two previous occasions.
Police allege Williams and an acquaintance bashed Smith unconscious at Carmen's Nightclub in Miranda.
Documents tendered in court revealed the Sharks have had to ban Williams from playing in twice after incidents involving the pair.
On a bus trip on February 7, police documents allege team-mates had to pull Williams off Smith after he punched him. It is also alleged Williams hit his teammate high and late in a tackle at training.
Smith, who told police he had little recollection of the attack, went to Sutherland Hospital with a fractured cheekbone and swelling to his head. He had surgery on his cheek the following day at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick.
The accused attended Miranda police station of his own accord on Thursday. He allegedly admitted to being present during the incident but denied taking part, claiming he attempted to separate Smith and another man during what he descri as "a fair fight".
He was called back to the station the following day and arrested. He will reappear at Sutherland Local Court tomorrow.
:lol:And many more where that came from. There's still 3 months till footy season starts, what more can this low club do.
