Family of the three cousins stabbed in an alleged horror brawl in Sydney’s west after an under 20s rugby league match have shared harrowing video of a critically injured footy player upright and awake in his hospital bed.
Spectators watched in horror as Wenty Magpies player Sione Latu, 19, and his cousins Fotongo and Latamu were allegedly set upon after the final siren at the Old Salesyard Reserve in North Parramatta on Sunday morning.
Tensions flared at the park after rival Penrith Brothers prop Bradley Wayne Middlebrook, 20, was sin-binned over a shoulder-charge, sparking a brawl in the car park immediately afterwards.
Middlebrook and his friend, Fijian international Ratu Nanovo, 19, allegedly brawled with the men before fleeing the gruesome scene.
Sione Latu, 19, recovers in hospital following an alleged horror brawl in Sydney’s west on Sunday
Spectators watched in horror as Wenty Magpies player Sione Latu, 19, (pictured) and his cousins Fotongo and Latamu were allegedly set upon
Sione and one of his cousins were airlifted to hospital in a critical condition, but family members reported hopeful signs on Monday evening.
A relative posted to Instagram that she was ‘blessed’ to report Sione was awake and responding to his loved ones’ voices.
‘Just blessed to see my bro waking up and hearing voice again,’ she said. ‘Love you Sione, got you forever bro.’
The family member also shared video of her fist-bumping her injured uncle Fotongo.
Canterbury Cup player Chris Patolo shared a picture of Sione sitting upright and looking happy, if not worse for wear.
Middlebrook, was charged with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other. He has been denied bail.
Up-and-coming rugby league player Ratu Nanovo (left) is expected to be charged over the alleged ‘mass stabbing brawl’ at North Parramatta on Sunday morning. Penrith Brothers prop Bradley Wayne Middlebrook (right) was charged with affray and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in company of other
Sione’s family shared images from his hospital bed as he recovers following Sunday’s alleged brawl
A family member shared video of her fist-bumping her injured uncle Fotongo
The 20-year-old was on bail for two alleged incidents at the time, including the alleged stabbing of man.
Nanovo – who played for the Penrith Panthers in the Jersey Flegg Cup – is expected to be charged but is currently under police guard at Nepean Hospital.
Police sources said Nanovo is to undergo surgery for a deep cut to his hand and it could be days before he is charged over horror alleged brawl.
Investigators believe tensions flared at Old Salesyard Reserve at about 11am after Nonovo’s good friend, Middlebrook, was sin-binned for a shoulder charge.
Pictured: Sione Latu, who was allegedly stabbed after his match in Sydney’s west on Sunday
Middlebrook was on bail for two alleged incidents at the time, including the alleged stabbing of man
Good friends: Bradley Middlebrooks and Ratu Nanovo in a happy snap from social media
Three men suffered serious injuries after the alleged stabbing attack in North Parramatta in Sydney’s west on Sunday. Aerial photo of scene pictured
In court documents, police allege that Nanovo retrieved a knife from his car, concealed it in his pants, stood with Middlebrook and yelled out to the alleged victims: ‘Come up here, I’ve got something for you’.
A police statement of facts read to the court said: ‘Mr Middlebrook is said to have commenced fighting with one of them, punches were thrown, a brawl erupted, the co-accused got out the knife and stabbed (a man).
‘The accused continued fighting and punching (another man). They then ran to a Toyota Orion and left the scene.’
Middlebrook, from Kingswood, was arrested at Penrith Police Station at 8pm on Sunday.
Authorities were told several men fled the scene in a Toyota Aurion and a large-scale search involving the police chopper was launched
Middlebrook was on bail accused of stabbing a man in the ribs on January 26 this year, the court heard.
He is also alleged to have been so aggressive and drunk toward police on December 31 last year that he was capsicum sprayed.
Police charge sheets now accuse him of assault occasioning bodily harm against one of the three men, and unlawful violence against all three alleged victims ‘in the company of Ratu Nanovo’.
Prosecutor Brian Johnson told Penrith Local Court the case against Middlebrook was ‘exceptionally strong’.
Mr Johnson said he did not foresee identity being an issue in the case due to the number of eye-witnesses present at the grounds.
But his defence lawyer Ihab Jamal said his client would be raising self-defence as an argument and questioned aspects of the prosecution case.
‘My client says the reason he went past the other football team is that’s where his car was. He had to walk past them to go to his car,’ Mr Jamal said.
‘It appears words have been exchanged… my instructions were he was struck by the other party first.
‘He does have a number of injuries on his face. That corroborates his version he was struck first.’
Magistrate Brian van Zuylen refused Middlebrook bail to face court on October 8. Nanovo is yet to be charged.
A 19-year-old player and two spectators, aged 16 and 22, remain in hospital undergoing treatment for various injuries