Dubbo's rugby league fraternity has been left reeling after the shooting murder of one if its former juniors at the weekend.
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Twenty-four-year-old Kane Mason was killed after a fight erupted at a park in Macksville on the NSW north coast early on Saturday morning.
The former South Dubbo Junior Rugby League Club under-16 and Dubbo High Year 12 student played first division for the Manly Sea Eagles and was holidaying with fellow team-mate Darren Ward, 25, in Macksville.
The pair was walking along Princess Street when an altercation broke out about 1.40am on Saturday.
A statement from the NSW police indicated a firearm was discharged, killing one man and seriously wounding another.
Mr Ward was shot in the eye and remains in a serious but stable condition at Coffs Harbour Hospital, but Mr Mason died as a result of his injuries.
Two other friends accompanying Mr Mason and Mr Ward escaped unharmed and are continuing to help police with investigations.
Craig May, a teacher at Dubbo High while Mr Mason was a student, described the former Goodooga schoolboy and league player as "a real good kid".
"I was shocked to hear of Kane's death and I feel certain his friends in Dubbo will feel the same way," he said.
Police have charged a 19-year-old man and a 17-year-old youth with one count each of murder and three counts of attempted murder in relation to the shooting.
A 15-year-old youth was also questioned by police and charged with being an accessory before and after the fact.
All three men were refused bail.
Mid North Coast local area commander superintendent Mark Holahan said there was nothing to indicate the attack was motivated by robbery or that the victims knew their assailants.
"They were just challenged and there was no threat to rob or any other reason that we've been able to discern at this stage," he said.
The Manly Sea Eagles first grade side wore black armbands in their clash with the Brisbane Broncos on Saturday night, just hours after learning of Mr Mason's murder.
The club's NRL players pulled together to score a sombre 26-20 victory against Brisbane.
"Our team wore black armbands out of respect for both the boys, but especially for Kane," Manly chief executive officer Ian Thompson said.
Mr Thompson said everyone at the football club was still in a state of shock over the incident.
"You don't expect something like this to happen in what is normally a peaceful country town like Macksville, it's unbelievable," Mr Thompson said.
"Everyone just wishes Darren well and hopes he gets through this."
Mr Thompson said Mr Mason hadn't cracked a first grade jersey, but "you don't have to play in the NRL to be a champion".
"Kane was a wonderful human being, he was always a bright, bubbly personality," he said.
"He was always ready for a smile and a joke and a laugh, and he was a genuine rugby league player who loved the game.
"That's part of the bond of being a rugby league player, it transcends whether you're a NRL player or local player - it's playing the game with mates and that's a bond that can never be undone."