Canterbury Bulldogs premiership hero Matt Utai is reportedly fighting for his life after being shot twice in an attack in Western Sydney.
The Daily Telegraph reported the ex-Bulldogs player was gunned down in an early morning attack.
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Police confirmed emergency services were called to Macquarie St in Greenacre just before 6am where they tended to a man that had been shot in the stomach and the leg.
He was rushed to hospital in a serious condition.
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Crime scenes have been established at both locations, with Bankstown detectives launching an investigation and treating the shooting and car fire as linked. Inquiries are ongoing.
“Police have commenced an investigation after a man was injured during a public place shooting in Sydney’s southwest this morning,” the NSW Poilce said in a statement.
“About 6am today (Tuesday 17 February 2026), emergency services were called to Macquarie Street, Greenacre, following reports of a public place shooting.
Officers attached to Bankstown Police Area Command attended and were told a man had been shot outside a home by the occupants of an SUV before it drove away.
“The man – aged 44 – was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics for multiple gunshot wounds before being taken to hospital in a serious condition.
A short time later police were called to Samuel Street, Wiley Park, following reports of a car fire.
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“Police attended and found an SUV well alight.
The fire was extinguished by Fire and Rescue NSW and the car was seized for forensic examination.
“Police have established crime scenes at both locations with Bankstown detectives commencing an investigation and treating both incidents as linked.”
The 2024 Bulldogs premiership winner played 162 NRL games and was named 2002 Dally M Rookie of the Year.
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