"Punch ups may happen".
Assuming the reports are correct, that the Kings boy was KICKED while on the ground. Is this also something "that happens". We got rid of the old "Size 10 tickle" in the 90's, and the game is better for it.
Didn't Joeys have to reschedule the 1sts game v View a couple of years back due to pissed up old boys. IIRC Police were called to sort out the immature spoilsports.
Was there any alcohol at Sylvania?
"Punch ups may happen", but how often is Police intervention needed as it was in both these recent cases (Joeys/View and Svlvania/Coogee)?
How often do these "Punch ups that happen" spill over into the crowd?
One of the joys of rugby, with my best pair of rose coloured glasses on, used to be that what happens on the field, stays on the field. After "Sir" blows full time, then hand shakes are offered and received, and everyone moved on. The Thugs game played by Gentlemen.
"Punch ups may happen". The decision to throw a punch is generally instinctive. So is the decision NOT to throw a punch. Coaches, and players need to make the second decision (NOT to retaliate or initiate) the instinctive decision their players make.
If MOTH is right about the extent of the melee, and from what I have heard that would be a fair description of the culminating events at Sylvania, then some parents and club officials could be in a power of manure.
To be fair to the Juniors, of late they have cleaned up their act and now there are compulsary Ground Marshalls with High Visibility clothing, Accredited Touch Judges, roped off ovals, and Accredited First Aid Staff needed at all ovals. Pretty sure that Alcohol is also banned from Juniors ovals following some unsavory incidents at Friday night matches.
These reasonable measures are a still a bit hit and miss at many of the schools games, particularly at levels lower then 1st xv.