Brothers in court over mass off-field brawl at Esperance football match

An off-duty police officer was repeatedly punched and a football club president choked during a wild post-match brawl between opposing players and spectators, a West Australian court has heard.
Braydon Wood, 29, and his younger brother, Rhys, 23, are each charged with aggravated assault causing bodily harm after the alleged incident in Esperance, 700km south-east of Perth, on June 22 last year.
The Esperance Bulldogs players have admitted they were involved in a scuffle with members of opposing club Ports, but denied punching and injuring off-duty police officer Christopher House, the court heard.
However, Mr House insisted he was set upon and punched repeatedly by the brothers.
The court heard children witnessed the car park brawl, which involved dozens of players and supporters of the opposing clubs.
In his evidence, Mr House said on-field tension between one of his Ports teammates, Harley Brown, and Braydon Wood continued after the final siren.
Mr House said that, as he escorted Mr Brown to his vehicle, they were approached by fired-up Bulldogs players.
"Braydon was leading the pack," he said.
Mr House told the court he stepped forward and signalled for the opposition players to return to their change rooms.
However, he alleged, Braydon Wood then punched him in the face and Rhys Wood "came over the top" with another punch.
Mr House said he was dragged to the ground and struck repeatedly as the situation escalated.
He said it wasn't long before "spotfires broke out throughout the car park".
Written statements were provided by multiple witnesses, including Ports vice-president David Rowe, who said up to 30 people were involved in the altercation.
"Braydon and Rhys were definitely the main aggressors," he said.
Ports president Adam Oldfield said he was "put in a chokehold" by a Bulldogs supporter before ordering anyone affiliated with the visiting side to leave the ground.
Another witness said they were left "shaken" and that incidents of this nature "shouldn't happen after a football game".
Mr House said he was left dizzy and nursing a sore neck and went to hospital that night.
The court was also shown images of a wound to his head.
Neither of the Wood brothers opted to give evidence during the two-day trial.
In a recorded interview with police played to the court, Rhys Wood described his older brother as a tough, talented footballer.
On the day in question, Rhys was watching from the sidelines due to a suspension.
While he admitted punching "one fella" during the altercation, Rhys was adamant that he did not strike or cause injuries to Mr House.
In a recorded interview played in court, Braydon Wood also repeatedly denied punching Mr House.
CCTV and mobile phone footage of the brawl was presented at the trial.
However, defence lawyers said there was no clear video evidence of the brothers punching Mr House.
They argued Mr House's injuries were not consistent with his claim of being punched repeatedly.
"It's illogical that he could not have significant bruising or swelling," said Braydon's lawyer, Oliver Heath.
He said there were other possible explanations for Mr House's injuries.
Magistrate William Yoo reserved his verdict until August 8.

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