Footy star whose NRL career was dashed when he was caught defecating on tables and chairs in a HOTEL ROOM with a teammate is arrested in the UK

  • Former NRL player who lost his contract in 2010 has been arrested in the UK 
  • Anthony Gelling, 29, has been arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent 
  • He established himself in UK super league after relocating to United Kingdom 

A rising NRL star whose career was dashed after he was caught defecating on tables and chairs in a hotel room with a teammate has been arrested in the UK. 

Anthony Gelling, 29, was arrested this week on suspicion of wounding with intent and suspended by his club after an alleged attack in which a woman was left with facial injuries. 

Gelling was playing for the Sydney Roosters in 2010 when he and teammate Sam Brunton were sacked from the NRL team after the defecating incident. 

A cleaner at the Holiday Inn Townsville, where the team stayed during an away game against the North Queensland Cowboys, told the media several rooms were left in a 'disgusting' state. 

Gelling has since established himself in the super league competition in the UK, however, the Warrington Wolves centre has been suspended by his club following his arrest on suspicion of wounding with intent.

Anthony Gelling (pictured centre), 29, was arrested this week on suspicion of wounding with intent and suspended by his club after an alleged attack in which a woman was left with facial injuries

Anthony Gelling (pictured centre), 29, was arrested this week on suspicion of wounding with intent and suspended by his club after an alleged attack in which a woman was left with facial injuries 

Auckland born Gelling, 29, was questioned by detectives responding to a report of an alleged assault at an address in Widnes, near Liverpool, on Saturday. He was released on conditional bail.

Warrington say the former Wigan player, who joined them on a two-year contract in the winter, has been stood down pending the outcome of an internal investigation. 

A Warrington spokesperson said: 'Warrington can confirm that centre Anthony Gelling will not be available for selection pending a club investigation into conduct away from the club. Gelling is fully supportive of the investigation.'  

A statement from Cheshire Police said: 'At 3pm on Saturday 8 February police received a report of an assault at an address on Cronton Lane Mews in Widnes.

'A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of wounding with intent. He has been questioned by detectives and released on conditional bail. Enquiries into the assault remain ongoing.' 

 The Cook Islands international, who helped his country qualify for the 2021 World Cup in November, joined Warrington from Widnes and has played in the first two rounds of Super League.  

A statement from the club said: 'Warrington Wolves can confirm that centre Anthony Gelling will not be available for selection pending a club investigation into conduct away from the club.'

The club say Gelling, who was in the Wigan team that beat Warrington in the 2016 Grand Final, is fully supportive of the investigation.

The statement added: 'The club and player will be making no further comment at this time.' 

Gelling was signed by Wigan as an unknown in 2011 after relocating to England. 

Gelling has since established himself in the super league competition in the UK, however, the Warrington Wolves centre has been suspended by his club following his arrest on suspicion of wounding with intent

Gelling has since established himself in the super league competition in the UK, however, the Warrington Wolves centre has been suspended by his club following his arrest on suspicion of wounding with intent 

He played in the 2014 Grand Final defeat by St Helens and was in the team that beat the Wolves at Old Trafford two years later. He was also a Challenge Cup runner-up at Wembley in 2017 and was in the team that beat Cronulla in the 2017 World Club Challenge.

Gelling proved to be a cult hero at Wigan with his eccentric behaviour, which include charging down a penalty goal attempt from Corey Parker in golden point extra time of the 2015 World Club Series clash with Brisbane.

He reported back for pre-season training ahead of the 2018 season but asked for a release after his girlfriend was involved in a car crash and he returned home to New Zealand to be closer to his family. 

Gelling played a season with the New Zealand Warriors before returning to England to play for Widnes in the Championship in 2019. 


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NRL star whose career was dashed when caught defecating in a HOTEL arrested in the UK

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