Thirty Country Rugby League players and officials from the Group Four competition have withdrawn from competition after officials again failed to resolve the 20‑year suspension of Mathew Nean. The group walked immediately after a meeting ended without any formal outcome, despite widespread expectation the issue would finally be addressed.
Nean was banned in 2016 over an allegation of deliberate contact with a referee, a claim he has consistently denied. Supporters have long argued that video of the incident shows only incidental contact, but the footage was never reviewed during the original tribunal process. The ban has followed him across several administrative changes under the authority of NSW Rugby League.
Chris Vidler, a proud Indigenous player taking part in the strike, said the decision to withdraw was not made lightly.
“We said last week we weren’t bluffing,” he said.
“This isn’t about headlines. This is about standing up when something isn’t right.
“When compassion disappears, people in the community start asking whether the system treats everyone the same,” Vidler said.
The list of players and officials participating in the strike:
- Chris Vidler Moree Boars
- Chris Hunt (Coach) North Tamworth Bears
- Michael Watton (Captain/Coach) Moree Boars
- Mathew Wilson (Captain/Coach) Dungowan Cowboys
- Steve Donovan Dungowan Cowboys
- Malakai Johnson Dungowan Cowboys
- Dale Woods Dungowan Cowboys
- Trent Taylor Dungowan Cowboys
- Farren Lamb Narrabri Blues
- Billy Nean Boggabri Kangaroos
- Mitchell Doring Werris Creek Magpies
- Fletcher Wells Werris Creek Magpies
- Harlee Millgate Werris Creek Magpies
- Kyle Cochrane Werris Creek Magpies
- Jermain Walford North Tamworth Bears
- Damien Ribel North Tamworth Bears
- Richard Chatfield Kootingal Roosters
- Bradley Way Kootingal Roosters
- Jesse Carmichael Kootingal Roosters
- Robbie Lay Kootingal Roosters
- Mekhi Rzadkowski Kootingal Roosters
- Jayden Graham Kootingal Roosters
- Jay Graham Kootingal Roosters
- Jamie Burridge Kootingal Roosters
- Adam Cook Kootingal Roosters
- Peter Adams Kootingal Roosters
- Leroy Livermore Kootingal Roosters
- Brayden Jerrard Kootingal Roosters
- Luke Brown Referee
- Lad Jones Official
The group has confirmed they will not return to competition unless Nean’s suspension is formally lifted or he is pardoned.
