MPFNL Division 1: Commentator caught up in ugly local footy stoush

Spectators clashed in an ugly incident at a Mornington Peninsula league final, with an on-air footy commentator becoming involved.

Rosebud defeated Red Hill in the MPFNL Division 1 elmination final.

The final siren had just sounded to give Rosebud a gripping win over Red Hill in the MPFNL Division 1 elimination final on Sunday when the chaos began.

Spectators from both clubs situated in front of the club rooms at Mt Eliza clashed, verbally and physically, with some push and shove.

Sitting smack, bang in the middle of the commotion was the GameFace commentary team of Dan Lonergan and John Harvey going live to air.

Their post-game summary quickly turned to a running commentary of the escalating fracas.

“Now they have a crack at each other,” Lonergan says.

“C’mon boys, it’s just a game.”

The urgency in Lonergan’s rises as he pleads, “C’mon, c’mon, c’mon guys, we don’t need it, we don’t need it…c’mon guys it’s just a game of footy. It’s all happening in front of us.”

Lonergan says to his fellow commentator, “are we safe here?”

Soon, Harvey who has a background in security, excuses himself from his commentary post, takes his headset off and goes into the angry crowd to try to calm things down.

The angst does subside but it sparks up again after a few minutes.

Security guards arrive on scene and eventually after 10 or so minutes the crowd disperses.

Once things have calmed down, Lonergan says:

“It’s just disappointing that a good, tough game of footy is affected.”

He adds: “You could just tell there was a little bit of spice in the crowd today.”

Lonergan asks Harvey: “Did you think that was getting out of hand?”

Harvey replies: “Yes I did and I could see what was going to happen and sorry I just had to move.”

Kirk Dickson of Rosebud celebrates a goal. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Lonergan later suggests both clubs can expect “a please explain” from the league this week.

In the game itself, Rosebud clung on to record its first finals win since 2017, 7.13 (55) to 6.6 (43).

The game had it all, including momentum shifts and a 25-minute delay due to lightning in the third quarter.

Rosebud took a 13-point lead into the last term and kicked five behinds to Red Hill’s one goal straight.

Star ruckman Stephen Cumming was best afield for Rosebud while forward Kirk Dickson was lively, along with VFL star Campbell Hustwaite, Jake Carosella and Blake Kuipers.

For Red Hill Shea Mitchell, Harry Sullivan, Tom Slattery, Daniel Frampton, Kalen Bird tried hard.

Rosebud will face Mt Eliza in the first semi-final next weekend.