But tempers boiled over at the completion of the game when Dolphins and Sea Eagles players were involved in a brawl that required both teams to be separated.

NSW Touch Football Association general manager Dean Russell said punishments were “on the table” as officials pored through footage to determine exactly what happened.

“It’s not the image we like to portray in the sport at any level, especially when it’s a spotlight game,” Russell aid.

“The boys 18s final is the big game in junior touch football and it’s played in front of our touch community as well as guests and dignitaries who were invited to watch the spectacle.

“It certainly was not the way we wanted to end what was a really successful event for us.”

Russell said they would now undertake an investigation process which would involve collecting reports from referees and both clubs.

“Suspensions are a chance, but it will be up to the judiciary panel to determine what actions should or should not take place.”

The completion of the under-18 final overshadowed a successful northern conference event overall.

“It ticked a lot of the boxes that we felt we could accomplish with the split,” Russell said.

“The event was already well established and had a footprint in the north with the northern affiliates so we always knew we were always going to have those teams attending.

“We saw a release of pressure on the venue and on the transportation of people to and from the venue including traffic management and accommodation.

“One of the key factors were delays we’ve previously caused the township in the past which were well and truly alleviated with reports coming in that traffic was moving very well.”

Russell said more than 8000 less people were in the town and with spectators taking up the free shuttle bus service, everything ran smoothly.

“Rather than drive to the venue, park and then have the one-way in and out aspect of the precinct, people took the opportunity to travel in on the buses,” he said.

“It was similar team numbers to the senior State Cup and we don’t necessarily have the issues with the traffic there.

“But there are more people there for the junior State Cup because of parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents who all came along to watch the kids play.”

The nature of the split also allowed affiliates who were “knocking on the door of success” the opportunity to have a degree of success.

“In the past when it’s been a full state event the stronger teams now playing in the southern conference may have blocked their entry into a quarter-final, semi-final or even a final,” Russell said.

“Success breeds success so they have a taste of success it will allow them to grow on that and become stronger which is what we want.”

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