An investigation into unruly behaviour on a flight has marked a sad end to the Canberra Raiders' time in the national youth competition.
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The Raiders were celebrating their final win in the national under 20's competition when a member of the side's coaching staff found themselves at the centre of a Qantas investigation.
A member of the Raiders' under-20s coaching staff was being investigated for "disruptive behaviour" that led to alcohol service being banned on a Qantas flight on Sunday night.
The squad was on its way back to Canberra from Brisbane after playing their final match of the season against the Melbourne Storm on the Sunshine Coast.
A decision was made to suspend alcohol service on the 90-minute QantasLink flight QF1553.
The Raiders confirmed the decision was made due to the behaviour of a member of the team's coaching staff and they will be dealt with according to the club's code of conduct.
The NRL has asked the Raiders for a report on the incident, with the club required to advise the NRL on what happened and if any action is needed.
It is believed passengers complained of foul language and rowdy behaviour in the lounge and on the flight, and the coaching staff member had to be ordered to sit down and fasten his seatbelt while the plane was preparing for take-off, after standing up to go and use the bathroom.
The club says no other members of the group are being investigated and no sanctions are necessary for any of the players.
One passenger, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "You can forgive young blokes' high spirits after a football game but some players went over the top, making it an unpleasant two hours from Brisbane to Canberra."
Passengers have called on the Raiders to issue a public apology for the incident that marks a disappointing finish to Canberra's time in the national youth competition.
The NYC has been the NRL's chief breeding ground for juniors prospects for a decade and Canberra's early success launched the careers of Raiders captain Jarrod Croker, Josh Dugan and Shaun Fensom.
The trio were a part of the Green Machine's 2008 premiership-winning under 20s side that won the grand final in an extra-time thriller against a Brisbane Broncos team brimming with future NRL stars.
The Raiders also played in the 2012 grand final but were on the wrong end of a 46-6 thrashing at the hands of the Wests Tigers.
A Qantas spokeswoman confirmed they had launched an investigation into "reports of disruptive behaviour on one of our flights from Brisbane to Canberra on Sunday night".
No delay on the flight was experienced, landing in Canberra on schedule just after 9pm.
It is understood there was no risk to the safety of any passengers or crew at any time, and the Australian Federal Police were not called to attend the aircraft on landing.
The match against Melbourne was the last one for Canberra in the under 20s competition, which will be shut down at the end of this season and replaced by state-based competitions.
The Raiders beat Melbourne 24-22 victory to bring down the curtain on their time in the underage competition, having finished 12th and missing the finals.
Raiders prospect Jack Murchie was named in the competition's team of the year this season to cap off a whirlwind 12 months.
Murchie won man of the match honours for the New South Wales under 20s in June, less than a month after he played for the Junior Australian Kangaroos.
