16-year-old Swans fan banned from SCG for two years following Aliir Aliir incident

NSW Police have now spoken to the Swans fan at the centre of the Aliir Aliir incident, issuing the teenager with a ‘youth caution’ on Monday, but he won’t return to the SCG soon – and he’s not 13.

A 16-year-old Swans fan has been banned from the SCG for two years and been issued a formal warning by NSW Police following an incident with Port Adelaide defender Aliir Aliir on Sunday afternoon.

Early in the final quarter of the Power’s dramatic eight-point victory, Aliir was regathering a ball that went through for a rushed behind at the Randwick End of the SCG. As he went near the fence, the teenager is alleged to have thrown a cardboard clapper, given out to fans in attendance, in the defender’s direction.

Aliir, who started his career at the Swans, verbally remonstrated with the fan before the interaction was quickly defused. The fan then spoke with security before moving further away from the boundary line. Later in the quarter, he returned to his seat to regather his belongings before leaving the venue.

The boy involved was initially believed to be 13 years old after a man, Jack, claiming to be the fan’s grandfather, called into 3AW after the game. However, NSW Police confirmed in a statement on Monday morning that the teenager was in fact 16 years old.

The Swans confirmed that the patron was removed by venue security staff, who in conjunction with NSW Police, spoke to the fan outside of the ground.

“On Sunday 20 April 2025, officers attached to Central Metro Region were in attendance at an AFL game at a sport stadium on Driver Avenue, Moore Park,” the NSW Police statement read.

“During the game, a 16-year-old boy allegedly threw a banner at one of the players. Police spoke to the boy before they issued a youth caution.”

Aliir Aliir looks back after the flag was allegedly thrown.

Venues NSW have also confirmed that the teenager was issued a banning notice. That notice means he will be banned from the SCG for two years.

Sydney CEO Tom Harley immediately spoke with Aliir after the match to console the defender and apologise on behalf of the club. It is also believed that while the supporter said something to Aliir after throwing the clapper, it was not racial in nature.

On Monday, NSW Police stated that they spoke with the boy before issuing him a “youth caution”, which is the same thing as a formal warning.

The boy’s grandfather stated on 3AW that the family were distraught by the incident.

“Whatever he has done, I don’t condone, but what I’m getting really upset about is the garbage that’s being put on social media,” the caller, Jack, said on 3AW.

“He did a stupid thing. His mother is distraught, his grandmother is distraught, I’m really upset.

“He’s a stupid kid who doesn’t realise what he’s done and the ramifications to his family are frightening, I’m just worried about his future.”

Port Adelaide coach Ken Hinkley gave an impassioned plea to fans across the AFL after the game to admire athletes in the competition. The incident followed a week where the Power threw their support behind Willie Rioli after he was subjected to horrendous racial abuse on social media.

“As far as I know, there was something that went on, but I think Aliir was okay with everything so we’ll work through it,” Hinkley said. “I think Tommy Harley might have even spoken to Aliir after the game.

“Let’s respect our footballers. That’s the most important thing. We’ve had a little bit of this stuff go on over the journey, the last few weeks particularly. Let them do what they do.

“You come to watch them. Just admire them for what they are, I would have thought, and enjoy the game. If you can’t do that, please don’t come.”

Sydney coach Dean Cox echoed Hinkley’s comments, stating there was no place for that sort of behaviour in the AFL. The Swans also issued a statement in the hour following the game, confirming that the club is trying to ascertain whether the fan is a member of the Swans.

“The club has reached out to Aliir, and we will continue to educate fans that any form of abusive behaviour is not welcome,” the statement said.

MATCH REPORT: POWER HOLD OFF INACCURATE SWANS TO EVEN THE LEDGER

Port Adelaide posted consecutive wins for the first time in 2025, but it came at a cost.

Ollie Wines played no part in the second half, subbed out of the game after a previous heart injury reared its head once again.

It’s the third time the superstar midfielder has been subbed from games due to heart issues, the first dating back to 2022.

His departure brought Rory Atkins into the contest for his first game for Port Adelaide.

It took the gloss off an impressive showing from the Power, backing up their Hawthorn blitz to record their third win of the season.

The Swans had two separate runs of three-straight goals in the third and fourth quarter to cut the margin below 20.

But that is as close as Sydney would get, suffering another home defeat as the defending grand finalists slumped to 2-4 with their kicking in front of goal proving costly in a 13.7 (85) to 10.17 (77) defeat.

FEELING BARE

Unsurprisingly the black and teal contingent at the SCG was resigned to a few small pockets scattered around the ground.

What was a shock was the Port Adelaide players running out onto the ground without a banner.

It didn’t faze them in the slightest as they dominated the opening term, winning the marks inside 50 8-1 and opening up a handy 18-point buffer.

Willie Rioli bounced back after a difficult week. Picture: Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images.

RIOLI LIGHTS IT UP

It was a scrappy opening half that didn’t reach any great heights for the neutral.

But it was Willie Rioli who produced a stellar moment in the second quarter, receiving a handball, selling some candy to Riley Bice before slotting the goal.

It was a tumultuous lead-up for Rioli after he was the victim of racist abuse on social media, forcing him to take a day of leave in the wake of the attacks.

Rioli finished with three goals, including a crucial major in the fourth quarter to halt a run of the Swans.

SYDNEY’S HOME WOES

It had been 36 days since the Swans played at the SCG and their latest defeat gives them an unwanted home record to start the season.

The last time they’d lost their first three games at home was in the Covid-impacted season of 2020, when they went on to finish 16th.

Aaron Francis was the Swans’ best forward after coming on as the sub. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images.

FRANCIS MAKES AN IMPACT

It had been over 600 days since Aaron Francis kicked a goal.

Subbed into the contest in the third term at the expense of Tom Hanily, the former Bomber kicked three goals in the space of five minutes to give the Swans a fighting hope in the fourth term.

Originally published as 16-year-old Swans fan banned from SCG for two years following Aliir Aliir incident