Australia’s five most well known streakers

Austereo executive Matthew Cooper became the latest in a long line of streakers who have invaded fields across the country, burning an unforgettable image into the mind of those there to witness it. Here are Australia’s five most well known streakers.

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As a sports-loving nation Australia has its fair share of naked pitch invaders.

There’s just something about the look of the turf and that packed stadium atmosphere that calls to wannabe streakers, compelling them to get their gear off and run the gauntlet of security guards.

In fact, streaking happens so often the incidents are barely worth reporting.

However, sometimes we get a streaker that captures the attention of the nation. A streaker who becomes any iconic part of the games they invade.

These are our five most well known streakers.

Wati Holmwood

Rugby league fans might not remember the name but they’ll certainly remember the image. Footage of then 33-year-old Wati Holmwood as he streaked through game three of the 2013 State of Origin series was seared into the minds of all who beheld the spectacle. Holmwood became the most hated man in NSW following his ANZ Stadium antics after his daring dash in the final minutes of a series decider handed Queensland another set of six.

Wati Holmwood invaded the field in the final minutes of State of Origin III in 2013. Picture: Matt King

The Maroons went on to win the game 12-10 … and the series. News then emerged Holmwood was a serial streaker, having invaded the beach during a Wests Tigers v New Zealand Warriors finals clash at Allianz Stadium two years earlier. Holmwood ended up serving two months in jail due to his repeated offences.

Robert Murray David Ogilvie

This bloke might not have made the list under normal circumstances but Robert Murray David Ogilvie made the mistake of streaking during a 2008 ODI in Brisbane when one Andrew Symonds was out in the middle to bat.

Andrew Symonds clashes with a streaker in Brisbane in 2008. Picture: Greg Wood

Security were desperately trying to catch Ogilvie as he made his way to the middle of the Gabba before Symonds executed the perfect shoulder charge to drop the streaker where he stood. Ogilvie’s run turned out to be the most exciting moment of the match after monsoonal rain caused play to be abandoned shortly after. Ogilvie ended up copping a $1500 fine and no conviction was recorded.

Josh Hudson and Chad Sharp

What are a couple of Sydney men to do when their BBL team is on the way to an eight-wicket thrashing? Streak in front of 40,000 spectators, of course. Josh Hudson and Chad Sharp, both in their 20s, made headlines in 2017 when they jumped the SCG barriers to lead 20 security guards on a wold chase through the middle of a Sydney Sixers derby against Sydney Thunder.

Two streakers during the Big Bash Sydney derby in 2017. Picture: Mark Kolbe

The cousins were fined $5500 each for entering the playing field without authorisation, charged and banned from the Sydney Cricket Ground and the Sydney Football Stadium for two years. Hudson said at the time the match had become boring and “it had to be done”. The public seemed to agree, with a gofundme page established to help the two men pay their fines.

Helen D’Amico

AFL’s (or VFL as it was known back then) most famous streaker made headlines not just for interrupting a grand final but because she was a woman. Helen D’Amico was just 17 years old when she stopped the 1982 grand final between Carlton and Richmond in front of more than 100,000 fans.

VFL Grand Final streaker Helen D'Amico tackles Carlton's Bruce Doull at the MCG in 1982. Picture: Clive Hyde

Wearing nothing but a Blues scarf, and perhaps her heart on her sleeve, D’Amico stunned everyone with her third quarter dash. The US-born stripper, now 54, is a mother and grandmother who was even listed in the AFL’s official handbook as a grand final highlight. The pitch invasion cost her $1000 at the time.

Matthew Cooper

And now we have Matthew Cooper. The Austereo executive might not have reached the notoriety of his predecessors — yet — but the fact he was a guest of the NRL at last weekend’s Tigers v Eels clash made headlines when revealed by The Daily Telegraph.

Austero employee Matthew Cooper streaking at Bankwest Stadium. Picture: Joel Carrett

The 34-year-old was wrestled to the ground in front of 24,000 fans at Bankwest Stadium after setting out from his seat in the southeastern grandstand­. Police issued him with an on-the-spot court attendance notice for wilful and obscene exposure and Cooper even got this bit of advice from NRL Immortal Andrew Johns: “don’t streak when it is cold”.