Rhys Wood (left) and Braydon Wood (right) playing for the Esperance Bulldogs. Photo (left): Bill Cutten. Photo (right): Greg Symes.
Two Esperance Bulldogs players who allegedly assaulted an opposition player after a league match in June last year will have to wait at least a month before the magistrate delivers a verdict.
On Wednesday and Thursday, nearly a year on from the alleged incident, Braydon Wood, 29, and his younger brother Rhys Wood, 23, sat side-by-side in the Esperance Magistrates Court.
The pair were accused of aggravated common assault causing bodily harm to Ports Blues player Christopher House.
Mr House purportedly suffered mild concussion and a laceration to the top of his head after he was allegedly punched multiple times and dragged to the ground by the brothers.
Mr House appeared via video as one of seven prosecution witnesses.
He told the court during the game Braydon made threatening comments and was involved in some “push and shove” with his Ports teammate, Harley Brown.
Mr House said after the game he walked to the Ports Oval carpark alongside other Ports members, including Mr Brown, who was carrying his one-year-old.
He alleged Braydon and a group of around five Esperance players approached Mr Brown in an “erratic” manner and said he stuck both arms out to try and prevent further conflict.
Mr House testified Braydon then attacked him, before Rhys came over the top of his brother and threw punches too.
He said several “spot” fights broke out in the carpark afterwards.
The prosecuting officer presented images of House’s injuries to the court, but its case rested mainly on CCTV footage which showed a large group involved in a scuffle.
Rhys admitted he punched one bloke but they both maintained their innocence and claimed they did not cause Mr House’s injuries.
Braydon’s defence lawyer, Oliver Heath, said it could not be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the bodily harm was caused by Braydon.
Mr Heath said the photo of Mr House’s injuries was not consistent with Mr House suffering multiple punches to the face as no swelling or bruises were evident.
Rhys’ defence lawyer, Leo Heartly, said from the witness testimonies, there was clear evidence Mr House was punched by a man with a beard, who could have caused his injuries.
On the day of the alleged attack, Rhys was a spectator at the match due to a game suspension.
Magistrate William Yoo said he would hand down his decision in court on August 8 or via video at an earlier date in late July.
