Former Super Rugby player Matt Dunning broke the nose of a teammate in a determined effort to be inducted into The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame.
Dunning broke the nose of Waratahs teammate Des Tuiavii in 2003 during a drunken end-of-season celebration at which he was also accused of annoying members of the public.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. Former NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015 and fellow NRL star Jarryd Hayne is the most recent recipient.
The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players and players who received media attention in previous seasons, for similarly scandalous behaviour, and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Julian O’Neill.
The former Wallaby claimed the incident occurred after he drank too much in order to forget about his ill-advised drop goal attempt which severely damaged the Waratahs chances of victory in the Super Rugby competition.
Sources from within the Waratahs camp, however, revealed the true cause of the scuffle between two gentlemen engaged in The Game They Play in Heaven. Both players had apparently volunteered to collect the next round of drinks from the bar, when the following conversation ensued.
“I insist,” said Dunning.
“No, I insist,” replied Tuiavii.
“No, Sir, you are far too kind.”
“No, please, allow me”
“No, I couldn’t possibly, I simply won’t allow it.”
“Your valour knows no end good Sir, but I implore you to allow me to procure the refreshments for our party…”
‘Whack!’ Dunning punches Tuiavii in the face.
“As I said, I insist”
Image: NuNa
The Frownlow Medal 