Man and teen charged in 'disgusting' shooting of ex-NRL player Matt Utai caught up in alleged gang wars

Police have charged two people, including a 15-year-old, in the shooting of former NRL player Matt Utai outside his home in Sydney's west earlier this week.

The teen is alleged to have been the getaway car driver, while 25-year-old Eamon Sharp is alleged to be the gunman in the incident outside Utai's Greenacre home.

The ex-Bulldogs and Wests Tigers winger, who remains in hospital, was shot multiple times in the leg and chest outside his family home as he was leaving for work on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Measles alert issued for Sydney Airport, two flights

It's alleged the 15-year-old was driving a White MG, which was later found burnt out in Wiley Park.

Sharp was arrested yesterday at about 6.50pm in Marsden Park, and the boy was arrested shortly after.

Detective Acting Superintendent Brad Abdy said the pair were known to police before their arrest and were taken to Mt Druitt Police Station.

They were charged with shooting with intent to murder and participating in a criminal group in relation to the alleged shooting in Greenacre.

Sharp was also charged with possession of a prohibited drug.

UPDATE: Police say alleged ramming of synagogue gates with ute wasn't terrorism

They were refused bail and remain before the courts.

The attack is alleged to have been perpetrated by members of the Alameddine crime network against a new group called the Cocount Cartel.

It's alleged Utai's son Iziah defected from the Alameddine clan to join the new rival gang.

Just hours after the attack, shots were fired on a home in St Clair, before a separate home was firebombed in Guilford West, which are allegedly linked to Iziah's relatives.

Four males, aged from 16 to 19 years old, were arrested and charged with crimes in relation to the alleged firebombing and shooting. They all remain before the courts.

"We believe there are at least another two people who were involved in the shooting of the premises at St Clair, and possibly a third offender for the firebombing at Guildford West," Abdy said.

Authorities said they believe some of the alleged offenders are acting "as part of a criminals-for-hire group".

"It's quite disgusting to be honest, that criminals who are overseas and now recruiting young people into Australia and essentially consigning them to a particular lifestyle and then while they remain offshore," Abdy said.

9News understands senior figures of both the Alameddine crime network and the Coconut Cartel are operating from overseas.

READ MORE: Rupert Murdoch's ex-wife and former News Corp director dies aged 81

Abdy said police have spoken with Matt Utai briefly and are waiting for his condition to improve further before speaking to him in the coming days.

Police say there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Matt Utai, and he is not involved in any criminal activity.

Officers also executed six search warrants in Riverwood, Guildford, Lilyfield, Villawood and Auburn earlier this week.

Police later seized three vehicles, 1kg of cocaine, knuckle dusters, electronics and clothing.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.

• Download the 9NEWS App here via Apple and Google Play
• Make 9News your preferred source on Google by ticking this box here
• Sign up to our breaking newsletter here