Shem Tatupu, a rookie for Melbourne Storm and former Hawthorn, was detained during a local football brawl.
An alleged attack at an amateur football game in Melbourne led to the arrest of a former footballer who played for a time in both the AFL and NRL systems.
A former AFL and NRL-listed player has been arrested over an alleged assault after a Victorian amateur football match on Saturday.
Shem Tatupu, a former Hawthorn rookie and Frankston VFL player, was arrested at Waverley Oval in East Malvern over an incident that followed a finals clash between Elsternwick and Hawthorn in the Division 3 section of the Victorian Amateur Football Association.
In a statement, Victoria Police said: “Police attended and arrested a 27-year-old Keysborough man and interviewed him for assault-related matters.
“He has been released pending further enquiries.’’
Hawthorn won the match. Raiti – who has kicked 68 goals this season – was named in the best players.
Hawthorn president Sam Waldron told the Herald Sun the player allegedly assaulted was checked by paramedics at the scene but was not required to be taken to hospital.
“From our perspective our player is OK, most importantly,” he said.
“All our players are fully supported by our club.
“We won a game of footy and we’ve been promoted to Division 2 and we’ve got a grand final in two weeks.”
A spokesman from Elsternwick said none of its members were involved in the incident.
“In respect of the incident alleged to have occurred following a VAFA semi-final at the Waverley Park Oval the Elsternwick Football Club can advise that no club members or players were involved in the matter,” he said.
“Elsternwick Amateur Football Club will not be commenting further on the matter because the matter is the focus of an ongoing police investigation,” the statement reads.
The VAFA announced: “The VAFA confirms there was an off-field incident between a fan and a player following yesterday’s Division 3 men’s game between Elsternwick AFC and Hawthorn AFC, contested at Waverley Park, Malvern.
“Police attended the venue and took the spectator away for questioning. The player was assessed by paramedics on the scene and was cleared to be taken home.
“As this is now a police investigation, the VAFA will make no further comment at this stage.’’
Multiple sources present confirmed Tatupu is the spectator in question.
Hawthorn recruited Tatupu as a Hawthorn category B rookie at the end of 2013 and he spent two years with the Hawks, playing for Box Hill Hawks’ senior and reserves teams.
From New Zealand, Tatupu had been a highly-rated rugby league and union player before joining the AFL club.
He also had a rookie stint at NRL club Melbourne Storm and joined Frankston Dolphins in the VFL in 2019.
Tatupu played with St Kilda City in the Southern Football Netball League this year and was touted as a league medal favourite before injuring his knee.
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