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An entire AFL team and its coach will face a disciplinary hearing over a pre-match brawl which erupted before a regional grand final in north Queensland.
An investigation by barrister Jim Henry into the melee before the North Cairns Tigers and Port Douglas Crocs playoff on September 18 today recommended all 22 North Cairns players appear before a tribunal.
The investigation was called after almost 50 players, officials and coaches from both clubs were involved in the all-in brawl at Cazaly's in Cairns moments after the national anthem was played before the decider.
Henry, after interviewing 55 people and examining video evidence, said the tribunal will deal with allegations that North Cairns players intentionally took part in a physical assault upon the other team.
North Cairns coach Jason "Jack" Love - a former North Melbourne and Sydney Swans forward - has already been banned for three years after being found guilty of three counts of striking.
The tribunal will also investigate whether he encouraged his team to assault the opposition.
The grand final was won by North Cairns but the club could still be stripped of the title pending the findings of the tribunal.
Port Douglas complained it was disadvantaged by North Cairns' conduct at the outset of the game.
No action has been taken against North Cairns as a club.
Henry recommended the tribunal conduct a directions hearing to determine who was going to contest the allegations and how the proceedings will be heard.
The tribunal could take several weeks to deal with the matter.
AFL Cairns president Russell Beer said Henry had been "painstakingly diligent" in his inquiry into the melee.
"He has recommended that 22 North Cairns players and the team's coach face charges and that is now a matter for the League Independent Tribunal," he said.
Love, after he was banned last month, labelled the AFL Cairns tribunal hearing "a witch hunt with a foregone conclusion" and he said the region had the worst umpires and tribunal in the game.
His ban includes any senior or junior game or grounds under the control of the AFL Cairns and effectively stops Love from playing or coaching anywhere in Australia.
AFL Cairns is one of the nation's strongest regional competitions with the league having assets of around $15 million.
The regional league next year celebrates its 50th anniversary.
An investigation by barrister Jim Henry into the melee before the North Cairns Tigers and Port Douglas Crocs playoff on September 18 today recommended all 22 North Cairns players appear before a tribunal.
The investigation was called after almost 50 players, officials and coaches from both clubs were involved in the all-in brawl at Cazaly's in Cairns moments after the national anthem was played before the decider.
Henry, after interviewing 55 people and examining video evidence, said the tribunal will deal with allegations that North Cairns players intentionally took part in a physical assault upon the other team.
North Cairns coach Jason "Jack" Love - a former North Melbourne and Sydney Swans forward - has already been banned for three years after being found guilty of three counts of striking.
The tribunal will also investigate whether he encouraged his team to assault the opposition.
The grand final was won by North Cairns but the club could still be stripped of the title pending the findings of the tribunal.
Port Douglas complained it was disadvantaged by North Cairns' conduct at the outset of the game.
No action has been taken against North Cairns as a club.
Henry recommended the tribunal conduct a directions hearing to determine who was going to contest the allegations and how the proceedings will be heard.
The tribunal could take several weeks to deal with the matter.
AFL Cairns president Russell Beer said Henry had been "painstakingly diligent" in his inquiry into the melee.
"He has recommended that 22 North Cairns players and the team's coach face charges and that is now a matter for the League Independent Tribunal," he said.
Love, after he was banned last month, labelled the AFL Cairns tribunal hearing "a witch hunt with a foregone conclusion" and he said the region had the worst umpires and tribunal in the game.
His ban includes any senior or junior game or grounds under the control of the AFL Cairns and effectively stops Love from playing or coaching anywhere in Australia.
AFL Cairns is one of the nation's strongest regional competitions with the league having assets of around $15 million.
The regional league next year celebrates its 50th anniversary.
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