Thugs bash Manly players Anthony Watmough and Steve Matai

[Guest]

Thugs bash top Manly players Anthony Watmough and Steve Matai
Exclusive by Phil Rothfield From: The Daily Telegraph January 18, 2010 3:24PM

POLICE are investigating a serious assault on two Manly NRL stars in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Champion NRL forward Anthony Watmough and centre Steve Matai were punched and kicked by three men outside Matai’s home in Dee Why.

Police have issued a statement suggesting it was an unprovoked attack on the two players.

Both were taken to Mona Vale hospital by ambulance after the attack and released yesterday morning.

They have been cleared of any wrongdoing by new CEO Graham Lowe and coach Des Halser, who interviewed the two players on Sunday afternoon.

The police statement said: ”Police inquiries are continuing after two men were assaulted on the northern beaches early yesterday morning.

"About 1.30am a 26-year-old Freshwater man and a 25-year-old Narraweena man were attempting the get a taxi on Warringah Rd, Beacon Hill when they were approached by three men who were in attendance at a nearby party.

"An unprovoked assault occurred and the Narraweena man fell to the ground and hit his head and lost consciousness for a period of time.

"The Freshwater man intervened and was kicked and punched to his head and body.

"The three attackers fled the scene and the two men were taken to Mona Vale Hospital.

"The Freshwater man was treated for a wound to the forehead and grazes to his arms and legs.

"The Narraweena man was treated for bruises to his head.

"Statements are yet to be obtained and inquiries are continuing””

 

[Geo]

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Thugs…...........more like superhereos............

 

[alexaki]

Interesting use of the term "Thugs"…Normally associated with Watmough...now the shoe is on the other foot...

 

[magpie_mania]

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Thugs…...........more like superhereos............

take it easy geo.

 

[stryker]

Watmough and Matai are two hard buggers….the other blokes must be able to throw em pretty well

 

[tomcat]

not so sure MATAI IS ..

 

[Buckets_of_blood]

Im confused, I know empathy should be my emotion….but that doesnt go well when ROFLing

 

[Geo]

:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Thugs…...........more like superhereos............

take it easy geo.

Yeah I know….bit like Buckets....It's a Manly thing....

In all seriousness......violence is wrong.........against anyone......

 

[diedpretty]

That story doesn't make sense! In one paragrah it says they were attacked outside Matai's home in Dee Why. Yet the Police report says they were getting in to a taxi at Beacon Hill - hmmm another Manly cover up?

 

[alien]

Watmough and Matai are two hard buggers….the other blokes must be able to throw em pretty well

They probably got attacked from behind and weren't ready.

 

[diedpretty]

That story doesn't make sense! In one paragrah it says they were attacked outside Matai's home in Dee Why. Yet the Police report says they were getting in to a taxi at Beacon Hill - hmmm another Manly cover up?

Another thing - it says one of them comes from Freshwater and the other from Narraweena - so how come Matai's home is in Dee Why - unless its a caravan he tows around the northern beaches.

 

[Guest]

That story doesn't make sense! In one paragrah it says they were attacked outside Matai's home in Dee Why. Yet the Police report says they were getting in to a taxi at Beacon Hill - hmmm another Manly cover up?

It's no cover up. Check out today Telecrap. Whatmough looks like Danny Green just pounded him.

I feared for my mate Steve Matai's life, says Anthony Watmough
EXCLUSIVE by Phil Rothfield From: The Daily Telegraph January 19, 2010 12:00AM

MANLY'S champion NRL forward Anthony Watmough helped to save the life of teammate Steve Matai by lying over his unconscious body as they were kicked and punched by a group of thugs.

After a brutal bashing on the Northern Beaches, both Sea Eagles stars were taken by ambulance to Mona Vale Hospital for treatment.

Police last night indicated it was an unprovoked assault outside Matai's Beacon Hill home at 1.30am on Sunday involving at least three Polynesian men, but possibly as many as eight.

Watmough, who was waiting for a taxi, was hailed a hero yesterday for throwing his body over his stricken teammate as he was lying unconscious and being kicked and stomped by the gang.

"It was very scary and I was worried for Skivvy's (Matai's) life because he wasn't moving," Watmough said.

"I have no idea why it happened or who they were.

"The area is on a main road not in some back alley. I'm just grateful we are both OK.

"I want to make it clear we didn't retaliate or provoke the attack and we are happy to co-operate with police to aid them in their investigation."

The two players went to Matai's house after a night out on the Northern Beaches. Watmough left to get his taxi when he was approached by the group. Matai went to his aid and was "king hit" from behind.

Police said three men were involved in the attack but the players and a witness believe it was a gang of up to eight.

"I saw my attacker coming but not the punch," Matai said, "After that I can't remember a thing. I came good in hospital.

"I'm grateful Choc did what he did. It was a cowardly attack. One would think you are safe in front of your home but unfortunately that wasn't the case. I was out for a long time and I'm feeling like I've been run over by a bus."

The players reported the attack to club officials when they were released from hospital. They were too sick to train yesterday.

Although both players have had their share of off-field dramas over the years, Manly CEO Graham Lowe was convinced they did nothing wrong on this occasion. "The Manly club has conducted a thorough investigation into the incident and co-operated fully with the police," he said.

"The police have kept us informed throughout and assured us they are investigating an unprovoked attack.

"I'm proud of the way they refused to inflame the situation. They had enjoyed a quiet night out in each others company and were attacked within a few metres of one of their homes."

NRL boss David Gallop was told of the attack in a phone call from Lowe on Sunday afternoon.

"It's a concern if it's right what police are saying that it was an unprovoked attack and two players have suffered serious injuries," Gallop said.

 

[Tommy Magpie]

Thugs attack thugs.

 

[Marshall_magic]

The media love to have it both ways don't they. I bet you if Watmough and Matai belted the crap out of these dogs, like a lot of normal people would have done, the media would have a field day telling us how they are grubs and have some more NRL crisis articles.

 

[stryker]

Geeze some pretty strange attitudes here fellas….hope this never happens to you or your loved ones...these gutless fags are everywhere - some of the toughest guys I know have been through this - nothing worse than feeling powerless when you arent a weakling.....

 

[daslacker]

Ironic,
Reaching deep to be somewhat sympathetic.

 

[Illek]

They may be my most hated team and grub players but they do not deserve what happened to them, no one does. Also I don't think being a weakling or not effects how being in these situations makes you feel, either way it's shit and the perpetrator's are pathetic. It's a shame these people are around everywhere. Hopefully they get caught and watmough and matai aren't to banged up.

 

[Tommy Magpie]

Haven't they both been up on assault charges?
Eye for an eye.

 

[stryker]

Haven't they both been up on assault charges?
Eye for an eye.

Dunno, from memory,

Matai was charged for an incident involving him headbutting some drunken tosser in a pub who was bad mouthing a mate,
Case was thrown out of court with judge claiming it may not of even happened.

Watmough was accused of punching a sponser last year but wasnt charged. Vaguely recall something about his girlfriend as well.

HOWEVER….This incident can in no way be described as an eye for an eye, in fact that is the height of stupidity.To suggest that these blokes deserved to get their heads belted in and then kicked as well because you dont like their style of play is nothing short of evil.

I wouldnt be surprised if these two werent beaten up because they were famous.

 

[Jazza]

They may be my most hated team and grub players but they do not deserve what happened to them, no one does. Also I don't think being a weakling or not effects how being in these situations makes you feel, either way it's s*** and the perpetrator's are pathetic. It's a shame these people are around everywhere. Hopefully they get caught and watmough and matai aren't to banged up.

I agree. I might not like both of those guys, especially the DNA freak, but at the same time they dont deserve to cop that.

It can happen to anyone. A few years ago a mate of mine who is very short and very skinny and is one of the nicest guys you would ever meet, was walking home one night (Unfortunately that meant he had to walk through Rosemeadow), and this Islander who was close to twice the size of my mate and his girlfriend came up to him and asked him if he had a lighter, my mate said he doesnt smoke so this guy smacked him in the eye and then stole his phone and about 10 bucks. The guy's girlfriend then said sorry and then chased after her boyfriend who had ran off.

A lot of these thugs are really gutless and cowardly, they either have to out number people or be alot bigger to bash em, I hope they catch these guys.