Mesepa Salesa approaches the ACT Courts with her husband, Canberra Raiders prop Josh Papali’i. Photo: Albert McKnight.
The wife of a Canberra Raiders legend said she was “disgusted” and “definitely in the wrong” after she allegedly attacked two female rugby league players on a football field, including one who was 17.
Mesepa Salesa, the wife of Raiders’ prop Josh Papali’i, was charged over the incident in July 2024, which began after the 17-year-old was sent off the playing field at the Kippax Raiders Club in Holt.
Closed-circuit television footage, played to the ACT Magistrates Court, showed Ms Salesa walking onto the field, in front of numerous people watching in the stands, to meet the teenager after she had been sent off.
She then could be seen pushing, grabbing and dragging the teen before others intervened.
The court heard it alleged Ms Salesa pushed her in the chest, tried to strike her, grabbed her hair and dragged her before punching her.
Also, when an adult female player intervened, she allegedly punched this woman and pulled her towards the ground.
Ms Salesa indicated a plea of guilty to two counts of common assault before facing the ACT Magistrates Court on Wednesday (11 June), where her husband supported her in the courtroom gallery.
Defence barrister Anthony Williamson SC asked for the charges to be dismissed due to his client’s mental health conditions and said he would ask for a non-conviction order if this was not successful, but the prosecution opposed both of these applications.
Mr Williamson said his client had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder as well as anxious/distress adjustment disorder, and just one week before the incident, she had received what she called “absolutely shattering” news about a family member.
Mesepa Salesa was supported in court by her husband, Josh Papali’i, on Wednesday. Photo: Albert McKnight.
Mr Williamson argued that the entire episode on the football field “lasted seconds” and she had shown extreme remorse.
“I was definitely in the wrong, I reacted badly,” he reported she told a psychologist.
“I’m disgusted with myself … I’m sorry for the whole thing.”
Mr Williamson argued she faced extra-curial punishment because she had been handed a 10-year ban from amateur rugby league games by the governing body in Canberra over the incident, meaning she would not be able to watch family members play.
The sport was “the lifeblood of their family”, he said.
Mr Williamson also said his now 32-year-old client was 37 weeks pregnant with her fourth child.
Prosecutor Ahmad Mufti accepted Ms Salesa had a diagnosis of a mental health condition, but argued many defendants came before the courts with mental health impairments.
He argued it would have been a frightening experience for the 17-year-old and noted how the incident took place in front of many people.
Magistrate Alexandra Burt said she would need time to consider the mental health application and would return to court on 18 June for determination and/or sentencing.
Papali’i became the most-capped player in Canberra earlier this month after he played his 319th game.
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