Former NRL Player Matt Utai Hospitalised After Shooting in Greenacre

#gridsparta #bikies #alameddine Former NRL winger Matt Utai was shot outside a home in Greenacre, Sydney, on Tuesday morning. The 44-year-old, who played for the Tigers and Bulldogs, was struck in the shoulder and leg just after 6 am and underwent surgery following treatment at the scene. Emergency services responded after reports of a drive-by shooting. Police allege Utai was shot by occupants of an SUV before the vehicle fled. A short time later, authorities found the SUV on fire in Wiley Park, which they believe is linked to the incident. Neighbours described hearing multiple gunshots and witnessing Utai on the ground. Police have referred the case to the Raptor Squad, a unit focused on bikie gang-related crime. It is being reported that his son, Iziah Utai, has connections to the warring Alameddine crime family, which has been involved in a series of retaliatory attacks over the past year. Despite this, police confirmed Matt Utai himself is not involved in organised crime, noting only minor traffic history. Iziah Utai has previously been targeted in two organised crime-style attacks in 2025, including a firebombing of his Merrylands barber shop and shots fired at a Guildford West home. He was also jailed in 2023 for weapons and drug offences. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, where Matt Utai won a premiership in 2004, expressed shock and concern, calling him a beloved member of the club and wishing him a full recovery. Police investigations are ongoing, with two offenders still at large. Follow Grid Sparta on Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/GridSparta Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GridSparta Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/GridSparta Reditt: https://www.reddit.com/r/Gridsparta