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SYDNEY - A man has been charged over a stabbing in Sydney's south-west on Saturday which left the brother of New Zealand rugby league international Frank Pritchard seriously ill in hospital.
Frank Pritchard had his thumb severed in a violent street brawl, while his brother Tom, an aspiring rugby league player, was stabbed in the heart.
Police have charged 24-year-old Abbotsbury man Stephen Peter Lee with four counts of malicious wounding and affray following the violent clash outside a unit in Liverpool, in Sydney's south-west, about 3.30am.
He was bailed to appear at Liverpool Local Court again on April 4.
Police have released 10 other people who were arrested on Saturday morning. However, police will maintain contact with all of them, including the Pritchards, as part of their ongoing investigations.
Frank Pritchard, who plays for National Rugby League (NRL) club Penrith Panthers, was one of those orignally arrested.
Two other Pritchard brothers, Johnny and Alfred, received treatment for stab wounds to the abdomen and shoulder respectively.
A suspect was spoken to by police last night after being taken from hospital under guard, News Ltd reported.
The young man suffered a fractured cheekbone during the brawl after allegedly being bashed in the face with a tyre lever.
Witnesses told News Ltd the man went to the aid of a friend who was being hit with the tyre lever and was set upon when he tried to flee.
They allege he then produced a pocket knife and stabbed the Pritchards.
Liverpool local area commander Superintendent Mick Plotecki said earlier that police hoped to interview Frank Pritchard and his cousins today.
"It is hoped that once we have a clearer picture we'll be in a situation to charge a number of people," he said.
The clash is believed to have started after the four brothers answered a call from their sister, who was allegedly threatened with a knife after confronting neighbours about loud music.
Penrith Panthers spokesman Rob Weaver said Tom Pritchard was making some progress.
"Tom's actually opened his eyes, which is just fantastic news," Weaver said.
Frank Pritchard's injury had not put his football career in danger, he added.
"Frank has been released from hospital and he's all right."
"I believe it (his thumb) was cut pretty badly but I don't believe it was cut right off.
"His playing career will not be jeopardised."
Tom Pritchard played for Penrith's junior grades and is taking a year off football on the advice of doctors after suffering a serious neck injury last season.
- AAP
