In a dramatic turn of events, former NRL Brisbane Broncos forward TC Robati has pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman at a Brisbane nightclub in 2022—just moments after being acquitted in a separate nightclub incident.
The unexpected plea was entered on Tuesday, shortly after a jury found Robati not guilty in relation to an earlier charge stemming from another incident. However, the brief reprieve was quickly overshadowed as Robati admitted to grabbing a woman without her consent during a separate encounter in the same year.
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The 22-year-old athlete’s guilty plea came as a shock to many observers, especially given the timing. The court heard that Robati’s actions took place at a popular inner-city venue, where he inappropriately touched the woman without her consent.
Robati was once regarded as one of the Broncos’ promising young talents, having made his NRL debut in 2021. However, his career has been marred by multiple off-field controversies. The Broncos parted ways with him following the 2022 incident.
Sentencing for the assault will occur at a later date, with prosecutors indicating the seriousness of the offence given the public setting and the nature of the act. The case has reignited discussions around player conduct and accountability in professional sports.
