Players, Officials Strike Over Matt Nean Ban Dispute

Thirty Country Rugby league players and officials from the Group Four competition have today confirmed they will withdraw from competition following the failure of officials to resolve Mathew Nean's 20-year suspension. The decision follows a meeting held where Nean's case was discussed but no formal outcome was delivered. As a result, the players who had previously warned of action have now stepped forward publicly. Chris Vidler, a proud Indigenous player participating in the strike, said the group felt they had no choice left. "We said last week we weren't bluffing," Vidler said. "This isn't about headlines. This is about standing up when something isn't right." "Matt has already lost nearly ten years of his life in the game. We've watched him be locked out of grounds, unable to coach, unable to even support his kids properly on the sideline." "We were hoping this meeting would finally deal with it. It didn't." Vidler said the group's position was simple. "When compassion disappears, people in the community start asking whether the system treats everyone the same." The players confirmed their action would remain in place unless Mathew Nean's suspension is formally lifted or pardoned. Nean was banned in 2016 after being accused of deliberate contact with a referee, an allegation he has consistently denied. Video of the incident has long been cited by supporters and the public at large as merely showing only incidental contact, yet was not reviewed during the original tribunal process. The ban has since followed Nean through multiple administrative changes under the authority of the NSW Rugby League. "This isn't a protest for protest's sake," Vidler said. "This is about whether community footy still understands fairness." The players and officials include: Signature Name Club 1 Chris Vidler Moree Boars 2 Chris Hunt (Coach) North Tamworth Bears 3 Michael Watton (Captain/Coach) Moree Boars 4 Mathew Wilson (Captain/Coach) Dungowan Cowboys 5 Steve Donovan Dungowan Cowboys 6 Malakai Johnson Dungowan Cowboys 7 Dale Woods Dungowan Cowboys 8 Trent Taylor Dungowan Cowboys 9 Farren Lamb Narrabri Blues 10 Billy Nean Boggabri Kangaroos 11 Mitchell Doring Werris Creek Magpies 12 Fletcher Wells Werris Creek Magpies 13 Harlee Millgate Werris Creek Magpies 14 Kyle Cochrane Werris Creek Magpies 15 Jermain Walford North Tamworth Bears 16 Damien Ribel North Tamworth Bears 17 Richard Chatfield Kootingal Roosters 18 Bradley Way Kootingal Roosters 19 Jesse Carmichael Kootingal Roosters 20 Robbie Lay Kootingal Roosters 21 Mekhi Rzadkowski Kootingal Roosters 22 Jayden Graham Kootingal Roosters 23 Jay Graham Kootingal Roosters 24 Jamie Burridge Kootingal Roosters 25 Adam Cook Kootingal Roosters 26 Peter Adams Kootingal Roosters 27 Leroy Livermore Kootingal Roosters 28 Brayden Jerrard Kootingal Roosters 29 Luke Brown Referee 30 Lad Jones Official