Jets winger to face league panel
IPSWICH Jets footballer Ramon Filipine will front an Ipswich Rugby League disciplinary panel tonight charged with allegedly throwing a beer can at IRL officials after Sunday's IRL grand final.
The incident happened on the field at North Ipswich Reserve in the minutes that followed Fassifern's A grade victory over Brothers.
Tensions were high as players and fans from both clubs mingled on the oval before the presentation ceremony.
Several spectators were involved in isolated skirmishes.
It was during these exchanges that Filipine is alleged to have thrown the can.
Jets CEO Brad Wolens confirmed Filipine would appear at IRL headquarters to answer the allegations.
"We've been informed by the IRL that he is required to front the panel on Thursday night," Wolens told the QT.
"We will support the IRL 100% in the investigation as well as whatever action they deem is suitable."
Wolens said the incident should be assessed in line with other ugly exchanges earlier in the day.
"The only way they are going to clean the game up is get rid of all the culprits," he said.
"Hopefully they can identify all the people involved."
Witnesses at the hearing may include IRL chairman Jack Rhea.
The local league boss has spent the week reviewing footage of an incident in the under-18 grand final where spectators ran on to the field during the game to get involved in a player all-in brawl.
In what may prove damning for Filipine, Rhea was also a witness to the A grade incident involving the Jets star winger.
"He's unlucky I was walking out when I was," Rhea said.
"He should be what our young players are inspiring to be.
"But if that can hit a Fassifern bloke it would have been a full-on riot."
The revelations come as Rhea confirmed two men had been identified as the main culprits in brawl that forced an early end to the under-18 grand final.
Discussions with various club officials are helping to identify the men, who face stiff sanctions.
Several other people will also be called to account after jumping the fence to get involved.
Mr Rhea would not rule out sanctions for clubs and any players who got involved in the chaos from outside the fence.
The Jets board is expected to review the Filipine incident after the IRL completes its inquiry.
