Friends say they thought Roberts would die after fight

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Painful ... injuries Bulldogs star Ben Roberts suffered after a brawl outside Wollongong's Glasshouse Nightclub.

Brain scan ... a black eye Bulldogs star Ben Roberts suffered after a brawl outside Wollongong's Glasshouse Nightclub.

Recovering ... cuts to Ben Roberts' lips after a fight outside Wollongong's Glasshouse Nightclub.

Another victim ... fellow Bulldog Lee Te Maari was also hurt.

By Nick Walshaw
February 05, 2008 12:00am

THIS is the battered face of Bulldogs star Ben Roberts - only hours after a mate feared he had been punched and kicked to death.

The Daily Telegraph was last night given a detailed insight into the wild Wollongong brawl that left Roberts bloodied and unconscious for up to three minutes.

Long before police subdued him with capsicum spray, it's alleged the New Zealand international was set upon by a group of bouncers from the Glasshouse Nightclub.

Bulldogs forward Lee Te Maari, who was also partying inside the club, has since told Belmore officials how he raced outside to find his mate being kicked unconscious on the ground.

"Lee reckons Ben was totally lifeless," an insider explained. "Honestly thought he was dead.

"So Lee then tried to get in there and do something to help his mate but was also beaten up."

The pair yesterday drove to Wollongong to give their version of events to local police and ask that charges be laid against their attackers.

"I spoke to Ben many times (on Sunday) and understand that he's been very badly beaten," Bulldogs boss Malcolm Noad confirmed yesterday.

"He needed medical attention on the night and will be undergoing a brain scan through the club.

"He is at pains to point out that he was beaten quite badly and he wants police to investigate."

According to eyewitness accounts, security asked Roberts to leave the nightclub after becoming involved in an argument with another patron.

However, upon reaching the door, the Belmore playmaker questioned why he was the only one being ejected.

Security are then alleged to have asked him to discuss the matter across the street - whereupon up to five bouncers punched him to the ground and then repeatedly kicked him.

Police reports will suggest Roberts was only moderately intoxicated.

He was taken by friends to Wollongong Hospital before returning to the venue, where he was later subdued by police and charged with resisting arrest.

The Narellan Jets junior, who had a conviction for drink-driving overturned last year, will appear in Wollongong Local Court later this month.

Noad yesterday dismissed calls for a total booze ban on his players.

"We can't tell players not to drink," the chief executive said.

"We try to instil the right values . . . and we believe the majority of players do the right thing all the time."

Noad also denied his club was too soft on errant Dogs and said he would wait for both police and internal investigations to take their course before deciding on a punishment.

"I'm not necessarily saying that it's not his fault. The fact is that he did put himself in that position and the coaching staff and management have tried to advise our players that nothing good happens after midnight, particularly in a nightclub."

Roberts yesterday confirmed to the Telegraph that he would be pursuing the matter, but would not comment further.

http://www.news.com.au/dailyteleg.../0,22049,23160700-5006066,00.html

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