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Eagles quizzed over club shooting
By Tim Clarke
May 04, 2005
From: AAP
TWO high-profile West Coast Eagles AFL players have been questioned over a
vicious gang brawl at a Perth nightclub.
Club captain Ben Cousins and ruckman Michael Gardiner had agreed to a request by
detectives to attend an interview yesterday, but refused to answer any questions
on the advice of their lawyer, a Western Australia Police spokesman said today.
Police are believed to have wanted to question the players about conversations
they are understood to have had with one of two men charged with disposing of
the gun fired in the fracas at the Metro nightclub in January.
The charged men are businessman John Kizon and Coffin Cheaters bikie gang
associate David Morris.
The police spokesman could not confirm if Mr Cousins and Mr Gardiner would have
to attend further interviews.
Mr Cousins, whose early-season form has had some observers suggesting he is a
contender for the prestigious Brownlow Medal for fairest and best player in the
AFL, refused to answer questions during a media engagement this morning.
The players are not believed to have been present at the nightclub during the
fight.
Police made a series of arrests following the January incident.
They have since alleged leading Coffin Cheaters member Troy Mercanti shot Nabil
Dabag, a member of the Asian-based Scorpion Boy gang, immediately after being
stabbed by him.
Despite requiring 90 staples to close his wounds, Mr Mercanti checked himself
out of hospital the following morning.
A recent bail hearing heard that a hastily arranged clean-up, allegedly
orchestrated by Mr Kizon, took place while Mr Mercanti was taken to hospital.
Mr Kizon and Mr Mercanti are due back in court next month.
Comment was being sought from the West Coast Eagles
