Latest news with #TonyMestrov
Daily Mail
03-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Manly NRL club threatens to BAN fans from games over shocking viral video taken after match
Manly Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov has threatened to ban footy fans who take part in the dangerous 'run it straight' social media craze after a shocking video surfaced of fans colliding with each other after a game on Saturday. The club will also beef up security for home matches following a series of spectators - some fuelled by alcohol - boldly deciding to take on the challenge following the clash against the Broncos on May 31. Those involved ramped up the danger by using the iconic hill behind the ground on Sydney's northern beaches to speed up the action and increase the force of the collisions. One participant was filmed chugging a beer before roaring and charging down the hill, only to be ironed out by another participant wearing a Sea Eagles jersey. The 'Run It Straight' trend involves people charging directly at each other to mimic a rugby-style collision. 'It's crazy that people will do this type of thing when they know how dangerous and potentially life-threatening it is,' Mestrov told Fairfax. 'We will ensure our security is more vigilant in patrolling this outside zone after full-time, at all future home games. 'Any spectators who breach our rules by engaging in this type of behaviour will be banned. Full stop. As a club, we will continue to make the match day experience that is safe and enjoyable for all.' Sea Eagles prop Nathan Brown also condemned the behaviour. 'It's pretty dangerous, and I wouldn't recommend anyone doing that,' he said. 'I've seen some of the videos. It's not fun, and only bad things can happen. Hopefully, it stops. My advice is to cut it out and ban it.' The Run It Straight trend quickly gained popularity on social media with official competitions popping up in Sydney and in New Zealand - but has drawn criticism for its dangerous nature. The trend turned deadly last week after New Zealand teenager Ryan Satterthwaite tragically lost his life attempting the challenge. He sustained a serious head injury during an impromptu game with friends and passed away in hospital on May 26. His death has prompted widespread warnings from health experts and authorities about the dangers involved by engaging in such behaviour. But some footy supporters in Australia are still seemingly prepared to risk their lives for cheap laughs online. 'Glad to see we've learnt from the poor blokes passing in New Zealand last week,' one viewer posted, tongue firmly in cheek. 'Would love to know how many ended up at northern beaches hospital,' posted another. 'Intelligence below the charts,' added another. Despite the obvious dangers, the warnings and the death of Satterthwaite, the video still attracted plenty of attention from people loving the trend. 'My son was there. He loved it,' one viewer posted with a series of laughing emojis. 'It's called fun. You need to leave the indoors more,' another fired back at a commentator pointing out Satterthwaite's death. 'I'm not opposed to this,' posted another. It comes after former dual-code footy star Sonny Bill Williams had to back away from comments he made online that appeared to endorse the trend. Williams shared footage from his playing days with the Bulldogs, colliding with Penrith's Joel Clinton in 2004 with the video captioned 'old school what a hit'. He added: 'Playing run it straight before it was called run it straight.' Williams later apologised after learning about Satterthwaite's death. 'I put a video up, and I just want to ask for forgiveness of the young fulla that passed away,' Williams said on his social media account. 'Please excuse me for my insensitivity. I did not know that had happened. 'I want to talk about it for a second right now. 'I've been asked to collab with the Run it Straight people, or a couple of people and I haven't. 'Simply because I wouldn't put my kids in it. 'I have safety concerns and that's just my thoughts on it.' Several 'Run It Straight' events in South Auckland were cancelled due to safety concerns and lack of permits following the teenager's death. The Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board raised concerns over concussion risks and unregulated contact. One event at Williams Park was scrapped after organisers failed to book the venue or seek council approval. Organisers instead held a meet-and-greet at Sylvia Park following the death of Satterthwaite.
7NEWS
02-06-2025
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Fans urged to end Run It Straight trend after ‘appalling' scenes at NRL game
A leading concussion expert has urged NRL fans to bring an end to the 'Run It Straight' trend after vision surfaced from the crowd at a Manly Sea Eagles game over the weekend. The death of a New Zealand teenager last week shone a spotlight on the dangerous activity. But the viral craze has shown no signs of slowing down, with security reportedly stepping in when fans ran at each other on the hill at Brookvale Oval late in Manly's win over Brisbane on Saturday. Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov has already revealed anyone found to have been involved will be banned. Dr Alan Pearce, who has worked with NRL players on concussions, said he is 'still speechless'. 'I'm pretty appalled by what we're seeing and I'm really concerned about the health of the people undertaking this activity,' he told Sunrise. 'There's no medical attention nearby if something happened.' Pearce said it was made worse by the apparent levels of intoxication. 'Beer and head injuries do not mix,' he said. 'This is what we're seeing now and this is something we've been concerned about surrounding the Run It events. 'Things like this will be happening everywhere now and they're not checked properly. That's the concern.' While some of those filmed participating at the NRL game appeared to be grown men, Pearce said he fears for kids and even young adults involved in the trend. 'The damage to a young brain is potentially profound and catastrophic,' he said. 'With young people, kids up to the age of 20, there's a risk of what we call 'second impact syndrome'. 'Even though you might get a hit to the head and not necessarily think that there's anything going on, having a second hit to the head in a rapid time period after — it might be a few minutes, it could be 15 minutes — could be potentially life-threatening. 'This is something we are really worried about.'
Mercury
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Fans doing Run It Straight after Manly game, club condemn behaviour
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Manly Sea Eagles have condemned fan behaviour that was posted to social media on Monday. The footage, posted to the creaturesofmanly Instagram account, shows fans on the hill at 4 Pines park partaking in the controversial 'Run It Straight' challenge. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The activity sees opponents charging at each other with the objective to either successfully tackle the opponent or run them over in a hard-hitting collision. On Saturday night after the Sea Eagles had defeated the Brisbane Broncos, fans decided to turn the steep hill into their arena. Fans slowly trotted down the hill as others waited at the bottom to tackle them with countless people watching on and cheering. One man slammed down his drink before taking off down the hill where he was flattened by another individual. Another was hit just as hard while a third carried so much speed he bowled into the crowd at the bottom who all had their phones recording the chaos. The Sea Eagles have vowed to step up security with club CEO Tony Mestrov thankfully nobody was seriously injured. 'It's crazy that people will do this type of thing when they know how dangerous and potentially life-threatening it is,' Mestrov said to The Sydney Morning Herald. 'We will ensure our security is more vigilant in patrolling this outside zone after full-time, at all future home games. 'Any spectators who breach our rules by engaging in this type of behaviour will be banned. Full stop. As a club, we will continue to make the match day experience at 4 Pines Park one that is safe and enjoyable for all.' The footage of Manly fans doing the controversial activity comes after teenager Ryan Satterthwaite died last week while playing the game with friends in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The 19-year-old was taken to hospital by friends but passed away a day later. Leading sports neuroscientist Dr Alan Pearce told that it was sadly 'only a matter of time' until the viral sport took a life and says if it continues this won't be the last time it does. 'This was a matter of time really as sad as that is to say,' Dr Pearce told 'The concern is that this can happen at any level. Even in the sanctioned 'run it' events someone will probably die in that at some point as well. 'It can't be done safely and when there's kids and teens that see it they like to copy what they see online, and this is something that absolutely not should be copied. 'It is the biggest please do not try this at home disclaimer if I've ever seen one'. 'RUNIT' has become an online viral sensation over the past few months, and has attracted tens of millions of views on various social media platforms. Videos of the heavy collisions started doing the rounds on social media in January, with 'Run it Straight Official' and 'RUNIT Championship League' turning the trend into a business. As the sport took off spoke to Dr Pearce who was baffled at why people would be willing to take the risks. 'I just cannot understand how they could take the most violent aspect of sport (contact) and just turn it into a spectacle where the objective is just to try and knock out or hurt your opponent,' Dr Pearce told earlier this year. 'In a lot of these other sports (such as NRL, AFL and rugby union) you're trying to avoid direct contact whereas this is purely running at each other, it's insanity.' Originally published as Manly Sea Eagles vow to crack down after horror fan footage
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Manly Sea Eagles vow to crack down after horror fan footage
The Manly Sea Eagles have condemned fan behaviour that was posted to social media on Monday. The footage, posted to the creaturesofmanly Instagram account, shows fans on the hill at 4 Pines park partaking in the controversial 'Run It Straight' challenge. The activity sees opponents charging at each other with the objective to either successfully tackle the opponent or run them over in a hard-hitting collision. On Saturday night after the Sea Eagles had defeated the Brisbane Broncos, fans decided to turn the steep hill into their arena. Fans slowly trotted down the hill as others waited at the bottom to tackle them with countless people watching on and cheering. One man slammed down his drink before taking off down the hill where he was flattened by another individual. Another was hit just as hard while a third carried so much speed he bowled into the crowd at the bottom who all had their phones recording the chaos. The Sea Eagles have vowed to step up security with club CEO Tony Mestrov thankfully nobody was seriously injured. 'It's crazy that people will do this type of thing when they know how dangerous and potentially life-threatening it is,' Mestrov said to The Sydney Morning Herald. 'We will ensure our security is more vigilant in patrolling this outside zone after full-time, at all future home games. 'Any spectators who breach our rules by engaging in this type of behaviour will be banned. Full stop. As a club, we will continue to make the match day experience at 4 Pines Park one that is safe and enjoyable for all.' The footage of Manly fans doing the controversial activity comes after teenager Ryan Satterthwaite died last week while playing the game with friends in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The 19-year-old was taken to hospital by friends but passed away a day later. Leading sports neuroscientist Dr Alan Pearce told that it was sadly 'only a matter of time' until the viral sport took a life and says if it continues this won't be the last time it does. 'This was a matter of time really as sad as that is to say,' Dr Pearce told 'The concern is that this can happen at any level. Even in the sanctioned 'run it' events someone will probably die in that at some point as well. 'It can't be done safely and when there's kids and teens that see it they like to copy what they see online, and this is something that absolutely not should be copied. 'It is the biggest please do not try this at home disclaimer if I've ever seen one'. 'RUNIT' has become an online viral sensation over the past few months, and has attracted tens of millions of views on various social media platforms. Videos of the heavy collisions started doing the rounds on social media in January, with 'Run it Straight Official' and 'RUNIT Championship League' turning the trend into a business. 'I just cannot understand how they could take the most violent aspect of sport (contact) and just turn it into a spectacle where the objective is just to try and knock out or hurt your opponent,' Dr Pearce told earlier this year.
Sydney Morning Herald
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Potentially life-threatening': Manly react to disturbing fan behaviour
Manly have vowed to step up game-day security after footage of fans skolling beer and running into each other at full speed behind the main hill at 4 Pines Park was watched more than 200,000 times on social media. Sea Eagles officials were grateful nobody was seriously hurt, but vowed to crack down on anyone partaking in 'Run It Straight', a growing trend on social media which involves two people running at each other as fast as they can in the hope of them being knocked out, at future home games. Last week, a teenager in New Zealand died after slamming head-on into another person in a backyard. Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed there were five 'triple calls' - serious incidents that required an immediate response from security - made in eight minutes approaching full-time. Two incidents involved pitch invaders, while a fight broke out in the same area behind the hill where fans were tackling each other. Around 70 security personnel, including those wearing plain clothes on the hill, and a further 70 event staff were working on Saturday. Sea Eagles CEO Tony Mestrov was unimpressed by the footage and said: 'It's crazy that people will do this type of thing when they know how dangerous and potentially life-threatening it is. 'We will ensure our security is more vigilant in patrolling this outside zone after full-time, at all future home games.
