Players get into scrap in front of fans during open training session
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 18: Zac Lomax of the Dragons looks on during the NRL Trial Match between the Parramatta Eels and St George Dragons at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on February 18, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. Photo by Speed Media/Icon Sportswire RUGBY: FEB 18 NRL Trial - Eels v Dragons Icon2102181092
Aggression in rugby league is par for the course due to the physical nature of the game but the sport always balances that with a family orientated feel, something that makes it so popular.
However during an open training session for NRL side St George Illawarra Dragons, two of their key players got into a scrap inciting a huge melee, in what was supposed to be a training session in front of the community.
The pair in question were star centre Zac Lomax and Tonga international Junior Amone, aged 23 and 20 respectively.
Per reports Lomax took exception to a big hit from the Tongan international and reacted negatively which incited almost all playing members to surround the pair and try to separate them.
Those surrounding players weren’t only trying to prevent the fight but also to shield fans from witnessing what could become ugly scenes, some of which have been recorded and shared online by the Red V podcast.
Zac Lomax and Junior Amone had to be separated after Zac took exception to a big hit on the Dragons 3 day camp at Mollymook. Altercations like this are normal and a good sign that players are digging deep into their pre season training! pic.twitter.com/shTwvZLk5h
— Red V Podcast (@RedVPodcast1) December 16, 2022
The training session in question was taking place in front of fans and the team had tweeted a video of their session which had included young fans getting involved in drills, which makes the scuffle even more unsavoury.
The club had tweeted footage alongside the caption: “Take a look back at the fun and games visiting the community during our trip to the South Coast.”
Take a look back at the fun and games visiting the community during our trip to the South Coast 🐉 #redv pic.twitter.com/YrIKa8TTXX
— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) December 16, 2022
Despite the great community initiative that gave fans a close-up on how the Dragons train, it may have been a little too close-up with the fun and games clearly not limited to drills.
It’s being reported in the Australian media, particularly The Daily Telegraph, that some fans believe the incident simply shows passion and desire among a team that hasn’t strung together the desired results in past seasons.