Manly stars bashed

Manly stars Anthony Watmough and Steve Matai bashed by thugs
By Phil Rothfield

January 18, 2010 Manly chief executive Graham Lowe says a weekend assault on players Anthony Watmough and Steve Matai was "savage".

Lowe confirmed they were attacked by a group of men while waiting for a cab outside Matai's house in the northern beaches suburb of Beacon Hill in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The Sea Eagles have cleared the pair of any wrongdoing and Lowe said it was a worrying situation.

"They were both savagely attacked really and both received injuries to the head," he said.

"It could have been a lot worse than what it was. Fortunately they are okay now, or as okay as you can be after recovering from a concussion.

"They weren't even out and about, they were just waiting for a cab outside Matai's place and they were attacked. It's a bit of a sad reflection on society when that sort of thing happens."

A police spokesman confirmed the pair had been involved in an incident, with Kiwi international Matai briefly losing consciousness in the scuffle.

"About 1.30am (Sunday) a 26-year-old Harbord man and a 25-year-old Narraweena man were attempting to get a cab on Warringah Road at Beacon Hill when they were approached by three men who were apparently at a nearby party," a NSW Police spokesman said.

"Police have been told an unprovoked assault occurred on the two men.

"As a result the Narraweena man fell to the ground and hit his head, losing consciousness for a short period of time.

"The Harbord man attempted to intervene and as a result was also kicked and punched to the head and body.

"The three blokes have then taken off.

"Both injured men were taken to Mona Vale Hospital. The Harbord man suffered a wound to his forehead and grazes to his arms and legs."

Lowe confirmed he had spoken to the pair with club coach Des Hasler and reiterated he was satisfied with Watmough and Matai's behaviour.

"They've followed the protocols in trying their utmost to avoid trouble, not retaliating in any way but both have copped a savage beating really," he said.

"All we can say is we're satisfied with the way they've handled themselves and it was just unprovoked."

Both players missed training on Monday and are expected to provide statements to police on Tuesday.

It really beats me why people bash each other for no reason. At least the injuries weren't life threatning.

They obviously were looking for a fight, i hate dickheads that just go out to clubs and shit and looks for fights. i think they would have been waiting for them to come out and when they did they snuck up on them and started to attack them. i just don't understand why people bother doing that.

Newcastle_Fan4life wrote:They obviously were looking for a fight, i hate dickheads that just go out to clubs and shit and looks for fights. i think they would have been waiting for them to come out and when they did they snuck up on them and started to attack them. i just don't understand why people bother doing that.

Yeah one day they will get smashed and hopefully they will learn from it.