NRL Wests Tigers junior star Masei Tavui arrested for gruesome gangland murder

Police have arrested a 19-year-old junior Wests Tigers star Masei Tavui as they investigate the death of a Sydney man who was bashed, stabbed and shot.

Masei Tavui, was charged with murder by Liverpool Police on Tuesday afternoon.

Five riot squad police officers pounded on the door of Mr Tavui’s Austral address at 7:15am to arrest him and execute a search warrant at the home.

They were seen on camera combing through the property and talking to the shirtless 19-year-old before taking him into custody.

He sat calmly talking to police in handcuffs before being taken away in a paddy wagon.

They arrested the 19-year-old and during the search found and seized “clothing relevant to their investigation”.

“It will undergo further forensic examination,” NSW Police said.

Tavui has been a member of the Wests Tigers junior ranks for the past four years, playing in the under 19s competition last year.

He was out of contract for 2024 however his younger brother is also part of the club’s development side.

The Tigers have not commented on the matter so far.

On the night of the alleged murder, police were called to Donnelly Street in Balmain at 3:40pm on July 29, following reports of an assault.

Officers arrived to find Dejan ‘Danny’ Radulovic suffering significant head and torso injuries, with police alleging his wounds were from being bashed and stabbed.

Paramedics treated him to the scene before taking him to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Despite efforts of medical staff, he could not be saved.

Radulovic was released from prison earlier this year after serving nine months behind bars for drug supply.

An autopsy of the 29-year-old discovered he had also suffered a gunshot wound.

“Police have been told Danny Radulovic was injured during an altercation with two men before the pair allegedly fled the scene in a white Jeep,” a NSW Police spokesperson said in a statement.

The car was later found dumped in Five Dock a short time later, with a gun inside.

It’s understood that Mr Radulovic was on parole for drug supply when he was killed.

Mr Tavui was refused bail on Tuesday and the matter has been adjourned to December 12 when Tavui will appear at the Downing Centre.

One man has been charged as an accessory to the murder and remains before the court.