Geurie Goats gun Matthew Watman has been slapped with a two-match suspension following his involvement in a melee during the club’s GrainCorp Cup Northern Division round six clash against Molong on Saturday.
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Watman pleaded guilty in front of the Central West Rugby judiciary on Wednesday night, as too did a Molong player also involved in the incident which occurred in the dying minutes of the clash.
Central West Rugby CEO, Matt Tink, said the incident occurred on the back of a shoulder charge by Geurie which resulted in a punch being thrown by a Molong player before Watman got involved.
The judiciary panel took into account each player’s behaviour record and the referee’s report on reaching a verdict. Both players received a two-match suspension.
“In our game we have a code of conduct, you throw a punch and you’re going to be sent off,” Tink said.
“The judiciary are very supportive of our referees and ensuring these types of things don’t happen again.
“Competition-wide there hasn’t been too many send-offs this season, there were a few yellow cards on the weekend but we’ve completed six rounds with only one punching case so we’re seeing a good impact there.”
Geurie Goats coach, Paul Hausia, said his players are aware they must control this element of their game and enforce discipline if they are to perform to their full potential.
“We always knew Molong was going to be tough up front with their forward pack, they’ve always been known for having well-drilled forwards and what it really came down to in the end was poor decisions on our end,” he said.
“As for the Matty Watman incident, at the end of the day some of us made poor decisions on how to react to things and we’re certainly not estranged to that part.
“Geurie has always had a history of push and shoves when testosterone kicks in but that’s no excuse for how the game ended.
“As coach we definitely know the areas we have to work on if we want that goal to be achieved, but what it really came down to was decision making should’ve been better in the end but we know what we need to do.”
Watman will be eligible to return to the field for Geurie’s Round 9 clash with Wellington on June 16.
Hausia used the opportunity to voice his disappointment toward the Molong spectator who allegedly yelled a racist remark toward Geurie players during the melee.
He acknowledged the Molong Magpies Rugby Club’s prompt and professional response to the incident which involved a public and personal approach by club president, Greg Travis.
“You look at every club from Sydney right out to the west and there’s either a group of Islanders, has had Islanders, or have at least one playing for the club,” Hausia said.
“By saying something unnecessary and not needed in our code is degrading every single race, not just Islanders.
“It’s not needed in this game at all.”
The Geurie Goats now turn their focus to this weekend’s home game against Coonabarabran Rugby Club.
The club will host a family, ladies and sponsors day the following weekend on Saturday, June 2 from 2.30pm and kick off at 3.15pm.
Geurie will host the Yeoval Eagles in what is anticipated to be a fun day out for the family with free entry and refreshments for ladies and sponsors, and a jumping castle for the kids.
