here's the article:
In the doghouse
By ELLEN CONNOLLY and ADAM HAWSE
July 24, 2005
POLICE will examine security footage tomorrow to try to ascertain who was responsible for detonating a home-made explosive during Friday night's Bulldogs-Broncos match.
Dogs
Anger: Stadium boss Ken Edwards, Inspector Paul Nolan and Constable David Henderson check the blast area
Angry Broncos fans said the deafening explosion was the culmination of a night of bad behaviour by Bulldogs supporters, who threw missiles, broke chairs and yelled abuse throughout the game.
A woman was treated for an injury to her ears and a four-year-old girl was hit on the back of head by a full 600ml bottle of soft drink.
Three others told police the explosion had left their ears ringing for hours.
NRL chief executive David Gallop said the blast had been frightening.
"It has shown a gross disrespect for what's happening in the world at the moment," Mr Gallop said.
"We'll work with the police to identify the wrongdoers. We'll encourage them to prosecute.
"We'll also look to implement banning mechanisms for fans who misbehave."
Mr Gallop said it was too early to speculate if the NRL would penalise the Bulldogs.
Superintendent Paul Nolan, of Flemington police, said the blast happened in the 69th minute of the game in a Bulldog supporters' reward area at Telstra Stadium.
"Forensic police have taken away samples of the stuff found at the scene for analysis," he said.
Supt Nolan said the Bulldogs club would provide police with a list of members seated in the area.
Last year, the Bulldogs received a suspended penalty of four competition points for crowd violence in a match against the Sydney Roosters.
Bulldogs chief executive Malcolm Noad said that regardless of whether the culprit was a Bulldogs fan, "it was certainly an idiot".
Mr Noad claimed it was an isolated incident, but Broncos fans said it was the last straw in a series of incidents.
Daniel Jacobson, 19, said the child hit by the bottle had begun crying.
"It ended the family's night. They packed up and went home," he said.
The home-made device, believed to have involved a firecracker, shocked the crowd and players.
Referee Steve Clark was cautioning Darren Lockyer when it went off.
"I thought: 'Bloody hell, what was that? I forgot what I was saying," Clark said.
"I've refereed games when fireworks and flares have gone off, but nothing's been as loud as that."
Brian Hall, of Erskine Park, said his ears were ringing for the rest of the game.
The Sunday Telegraph
