A shooting in front of children at a footy clinic shifted everything in the notorious Underbelly war
Sydney Morning Herald
February 25, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The gangland wars that dominated Melbourne from 1995, involving notorious figures like Carl Williams and the Moran family, were thrust into the spotlight when Jason Moran and Pasquale Barbaro were gunned down in front of children at an Auskick football clinic. This brutal act, which occurred in 2003, marked a turning point for law enforcement, prompting a significant escalation in their efforts to dismantle the criminal network. The victims, including Moran’s six-year-old twins, witnessed the violence firsthand as blood was sprayed across the van they were in, while nearby children participating in the football clinic were mere yards away from the horror.
The shooting shocked the community and galvanized police, leading to a major recruitment drive for the Purana taskforce. Detective Stuart Bateson, a key figure in the investigation, recalls how this event shifted public perception and led to increased resources being allocated to tackle the gangland conflict. The incident also highlighted the brutal nature of the underworld war, which had previously operated largely outside the mainstream eye.
John Silvester, a seasoned crime reporter and author, turned to his network of contacts—including police and legal professionals—to delve into this violent episode. His interviews with Bateson provide insight into the challenges faced by law enforcement in bringing these criminals to justice. The Underbelly gangland wars, which were later adapted into a TV series, serve as a testament to the scale and intensity of the conflict that plagued Melbourne for years.
This story underscores the broader implications of organized crime on society and the lengths authorities must go to combat it. For readers interested in global crime dynamics, the case highlights how seemingly local gang conflicts can escalate into high-profile international affairs, drawing attention from media and law enforcement alike. The events surrounding Moran and Barbaro’s deaths not only reshaped police strategies but also revealed the harrowing reality of life in Melbourne’s criminal underworld during
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 2/25/2026