South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell told ACT police during his arrest in February "I've done nothing wrong but be a Blackfella in Australia", with future club teammate, close friend and distant cousin Jack Wighton saying "lock me up with him" during the scenes, a court has heard.

The pair faced ACT Magistrates Court on Monday contesting charges related to an alleged fight outside a nightclub during Wighton's 30th birthday celebrations earlier this year.

Both men are charged with failing to comply with an exclusion direction and fighting in a public place, with Mitchell facing an additional charge of resisting a territory public official.

Prosecutor Sam Bargwanna accused the duo of fighting in the streets.

Mitchell's defence will centre around police conduct during his arrest, AAP reports.

At the time, video footage showed the then-25-year-old face down on the ground screaming "my shoulders" while surrounded by officers.

Wighton's legal representation told the court Mitchell had been "reduced to a weeping mess" and "worrying he might die".

"Mr Wighton heard all of it, saw all of it … it was confronting to see … he's accused of not turning his back on his cousin and walking into the night," Wighton's lawyer said.

The incident occurred after Wighton had been removed from Canberra's Fiction nightclub by police in the early hours of the morning 'due to his upset facial expression, angry demeanour and clenched fist', AAP reported.

Police intervened to break up the fight and arrested Mitchell.

Wighton was reportedly reminded of his exclusion direction and to leave the area.

He allegedly responded "lock me up with him, you're f***wits", before also being arrested.

Shortly after the incident, a witness told Seven News: "If you think they were fighting in any way, shape or form, that's pathetic. That's an absolute joke."

"They've been hung out to dry," the witness said.

Another observer said Mitchell was "ripped across the road" and tackled by police.

Mitchell's lawyer Jack Pappas suggested the actions of police were "a sad parody of what proper police conduct needed to be", according to AAP.

Pappas is said to have told the court footage will show Mitchell encouraging people to share the vision on social media.

The pair attended court with one another and were seen to be acting friendly with one another on Monday.

In a joint-statement issued after their arrest, the two footballers apologised and said they believed their "wrestle" was "harmless".

"We were there to celebrate Jack's 30th with family and friends. While everyone enjoyed a great night, we understand that our wrestle, as harmless as we believed it to be, was a poor decision and may have looked bad," Wighton and Mitchell said.

"We are sorry for this, and know that we need to be better when in public. We remain great friends."

The hearing is scheduled for three days.