Geraldton man Justin Crudeli among three charged over fight allegedly linked to ex-AFL star Shannon Cox

Three people charged over a brawl at a local football club, allegedly sparked by an earlier fight involving former AFL player Shannon Cox, have appeared in court for the first time. It is the latest incident in a series of alleged episodes of violence and antisocial behaviour that marred the Great Northern Football League’s 2022 season. Rovers player Justin Crudeli, Brentley Jones, Ashley Dann and Miranda Ryan have been charged over the alleged September 3 altercation at Rovers Football Club at Greenough Oval and faced Geraldton Magistrates Court on Thursday. Earlier that day, mobile phone footage of a carpark fight involving Rovers player Mr Cox, who played 25 games for Collingwood between 2007 and 2009, shows Mr Cox and another man throwing punches at Geraldton’s Recreation Ground during Rovers’ preliminary final. The fight spills to a grassed area in front of the packed clubrooms and witnesses, including children. One spectator encourages the violence, calling on Mr Cox to “nail that c...”. At one point, a dog gets involved, running towards the two men and lunging at one of them. Rovers previously backed Mr Cox, saying he had come to the aid of his family who were allegedly being attacked by others. Later that night, a group allegedly showed up to Rovers Football Club and got into another altercation with members of the club who had gone there after the match. In court on Thursday, Mr Crudeli, who is a Rovers league player, pleaded not guilty to two charges, including entering the club’s premises contrary to a barring notice and disorderly behaviour in public at Greenough Oval. He will reappear on December 5 for a trial allocation date to be set. Meanwhile, Mr Dann did not enter a plea to one count of disorderly behaviour and common assault in circumstances of aggravation at the Recreation Ground. He was also charged with disorderly behaviour in public in relation to the brawl that occurred at Rovers that night. Mr Dann’s matters have been adjourned until October 14. Ms Ryan is also charged with common assault in circumstances of aggravation and common assault over an alleged attack against Cox’s wife. Jones did not appear in court and was convicted in his absence. These incidents follow an on-field brawl at the Brigades and Mullewa colts game in July, which saw 18 players, a coach and a parent banned, suspended or reprimanded. In the wake of the colts brawl, the WA Football Commission launched an in-depth review into the GNFL, which is ongoing.