More allegations for accused grand final border breachers

Two Melbourne fans accused of breaching border rules to see the grand final allegedly forged documents to use the address of an ex-AFL player to enter WA.

Two die-hard Melbourne fans who allegedly broke tight border rules to see their team win the flag are accused of fraudulently using the home address of a former AFL player to get into WA. 

Prahran cocktail bar owner Hayden Burbank, 49, and financial planner friend Mark Babbage, 38, allegedly forged documents in order to illegally get into Perth to see the grand final, stating they had been staying at former AFL player Matt Ahmat’s home.

However Mr Ahmat says the pair had not stayed at his Millner home and had only vaguely met him at a popular Darwin pub days after they arrived from Melbourne.

Morris Jones owner Hayden Burbank, left, and Mark Babbage, far right, photographed in Perth. Picture: Instagram

Former Brisbane and Sydney AFL player Matthew Ahmat was interviewed by police over the alleged breach by Burbank and Babbage.

Mr Ahmat, a former Brisbane and Swans player, was subsequently interviewed by police.

“It has been a bit of a traumatic experience getting dragged into all the drama,” Mr Ahmat told the Herald Sun.

“We met through a mutual friend the weekend before the grand final, but I didn’t know them before that.

“We had a few drinks but I didn’t know they were doing the wrong thing. I knew they were mad, avid supporters but they didn’t tell me they were going to go to Perth.”

On Monday, Northern Territory police issued summons for the duo for contravention of emergency declaration, give false name/misleading information, knowingly utter forged document and criminal deception obtain benefit.

Detectives allege they did not self-isolate when waiting for Covid test results and that they have allegedly fraudulently submitted falsified documents to obtain driver’s licences and open bank accounts in the NT.

Hayden Burbank with Mark Babbage. Picture: Channel 7

Hayden Burbank at Optus Stadium after the Demons won the AFL grand final.

They will face a Darwin court on November 16.

Mr Ahmat, a Legal Aid worker, has been subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing and has assisted police with their inquiries.   

He has kept a positive attitude toward the situation.

“This is the biggest news in Australia, and to be at the centre of it has made me relevant again,” he said.

“It was interesting — one minute you’re meeting two randoms having a beer, next minute you’re in the thick of it. I will say they were having a great time.”

The pair will face a Perth court on Wednesday where they each face three counts of failing to comply with a direction under the Emergency Management Act.

Originally published as More allegations for accused grand final border breachers