Video of Showdown brawl between footy fans at Adelaide Oval goes viral
SHOCKING video of a melee that broke out between at least a dozen football fans at Showdown 42 has gone viral on social media, attracting more than 350,000 views and sparking widespread condemnation.
SHOCKING video of a melee that broke out between at least a dozen football fans at Showdown 42 has gone viral on social media, attracting more than 350,000 views and sparking widespread condemnation.
Port Adelaide Football Club is now awaiting an official report into the fight before it decides if it will take any action against those involved.
The video, posted on Facebook after the Adelaide Crows beat Port Adelaide by 17 points in a thrilling clash at Adelaide Oval of Saturday night, shows footy fans punching, kicking, pushing, grappling and verbally abusing each other on the hill towards the end of the game.
At one point in the video, a male grabs another male by his shirt, yanking him backwards and pulling his shirt over his head and ripping the Port scarf from his neck.
The footage has been viewed more than 350,000 times and shared more than 3400 times.
It was posted on Facebook by Brandon Williss.
“This is how feral the port (sic) supporters got tonight after they got sh**ty at the footy,” he wrote.
“Started spitting at Crows supporters and then turned on themselves and decide to fight it out #nevertearusapart ... LOL.”
Witness Aaron Tinsley, of Seaford Rise, told The Advertiser the brawl started as a squabble between Power and Crows fans before some Port supporters began spitting at spectators and beers were thrown.
“They (then) started fighting amongst each other,” he said.
Mr Tinsley, 35, said some Power fans were trying to break up the fight as it escalated.
“It was a bit of a shock and there were kids around as well so it wasn’t a nice situation,” he said.
“They were a little bit frightened by it as well.”
A Port Adelaide spokesman said the club was awaiting a formal report into the incident before deciding if it would take any action against those involved.
“We will wait to receive an official report from the Adelaide Oval Stadium Management but general feedback last night was that it was a well behaved crowd which is very pleasing given the record attendance,” he said.
The spokesman also said the club was investigating the source of a vile racist tirade posted on Facebook about Crows star Eddie Betts on Saturday night.
The same person also made unsubstantiated accusations against Crows captain Taylor Walker.
The spokesman said the club was investigating whether the woman who posted the slurs was a Port member and once this had been determined it would consider if it would take any disciplinary action against her.
SA Police said it was aware of the fight but would not reveal if any arrests were made.
“We have spoken to the police officer in charge of the football last night (and) they advise the large crowd in attendance were generally well behaved with only a few minor incidents over the night,” a spokesman said.
“We won’t be releasing numbers of evictions or arrests but it was no more than any other week of AFL football.”
The Stadium Management Authority issued a statement on the melee.
“Overall crowd behaviour was good — very much in line with other Showdowns,” it read.
“There were some evictions but no more than other games.”
Mr Williss’ post has received more than 3500 comments, many condemning the actions of those involved in the fight.
“Port Power supporters you should be ashamed of yourselves,” one person wrote.
“You are supposed to love your club not fight with your own supporters you are an embarrassment to your club.”
Another person questioned why people felt the need to fight at the footy.
“No wonder there are wars in the world if you can’t even go to a footy game without fighting,” the woman wrote.
“Why can’t people just go and enjoy a great game without making it personal.”
While a third person said it reflected poorly on Port fans.
“Makes it look bad for everybody else who is a Port supporter and is there to enjoy the game whether we win or not,” she said. “Pull your bloody heads in.”
Originally published as Video of Showdown brawl between footy fans at Adelaide Oval goes viral