Retired NRL and Origin winger Jason Moodie was one of three people to cop season-long bans from rugby league following a troublesome fortnight for the code across the Hunter.
The 43-year-old, who represented the Blues three times and played 172 club games between the Knights, Eels and Tigers, has been prohibited from attending all junior matches until the end of 2018.
This punishment was handed down on what was a busy night for the Newcastle and Hunter Rugby League (NHRL) disciplinary panel on Wednesday.
Moodie, a Western Suburbs junior coach, pleaded guilty to multiple NRL code-of-conduct breaches following his part in a physical altercation at New Lambton’s Kentish Oval on May 12.
The second man, a junior parent at the Dudley-Redhead Magpies, also pleaded guilty to all charges and received the same sanction.
The incident occurred during an age-group fixture, just two days before the start of Country Rugby League (CRL) endorsed “Shoosh For Kids Week” encouraging positive environments for junior participants at grassroots levels.
In the senior ranks, an 18-month ban was given to a spectator with family links to the Raymond Terrace Magpies following a separate incident at Lenaghan Oval on Saturday.
He is barred from all facets of the sport, outside attending the club’s senior home games at Lakeside Oval, after initiating a physical alteration with an opposition player post full-time.
Raymond Terrace won the NHRL A-grade encounter 26-24 over hosts Belmont South.
A third matter, also involving a physical altercation between player and spectator, was originally scheduled for judiciary this week but was postponed after being investigated by police.
Both people have already been stood down from all facets of rugby league until the hearing is conducted.
Video of Saturday’s ugly incident, which took place at Coronation Oval during a D-grade match between Woodberry and Maitland United, went viral online.
All parties have the right to appeal, but by Thursday afternoon no correspondence had been received by CRL.
The hearings took place at Newcastle Leagues Club.
