Police and security clash with fans after AFL preliminary final between Collingwood and GWS
A wild altercation between footy fans and police at last night’s AFL preliminary final was allegedly sparked by a man throwing a drink at security. It comes as the state Opposition calls for police and security resources to be boosted ahead of the Grand Final.
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Footy fans tangled with police at the MCG following last night’s AFL preliminary final, in a wild altercation allegedly sparked by a man who threw a drink at security.
Footage has emerged of the incident just before 6.30pm, in which security and police wrestle fans to the ground.
One security guard is seen holding a man in an headlock, as other fans watch on.
Victoria Police said in a statement that a 24-year-old man threw a drink at a security guard and refused to move on, as officers and security attempted to evict six men due to intoxication and behavioural issues just before 6.30pm.
He was arrested but during the arrest, three other men, aged 25, 27 and 30, were hit with capsicum spray after they refused to move on.
The four received penalty notices for riotous behaviour.
The 27-year-old man was then arrested for public drunkenness and the 29-year-old man received a penalty notice for disorderly conduct.
Two men in the vicinity, aged 29 and 35, were also directed to leave and were evicted without incident.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Leonie Johnston said the “investigation into the incident remains ongoing”.
Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the behaviour was “unacceptable” and hurt Victoria’s reputation during the finals series.
“The AFL finals is the opportunity for Victoria to be on show,” he said.
“This kind of behaviour really threatens Victoria and certainly our reputation. It gives Victoria a black eye when it comes to community safety and running family-friendly events.”
Mr Southwick criticised the state government’s move to decriminalising public drunkenness and called for police and security resources to be boosted ahead of next weekend’s grand final.
“This is a perfect example last night where people were arrested for being drunk and displaying shocking behaviour,” he said.
“Police need the powers to do their job.”
Champion boxer and Stop the Coward’s Punch campaign founder Danny Green labelled those involved as “pelicans”.
“The poor behaviour of a few pelicans should not overshadow the fact that a whopping amount of spectators in a concentrated area viewing an emotionally charged game did society proud,” he said.
Mr Green said most people are getting the message that violence is never okay.
“My coward’s punch messaging is truly resounding with our community,” he said.
“Grand Final will be another example of how times are changing and society can expected to go out and feel safer in huge crowds as well as come together on such a huge occasion.”
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It is the latest in a string of fan violence, which has prompted calls for tougher penalties and lifetime bans.
Violence also marred Round 9, and came after a disabled Hawthorn fan was punched following the team’s Round 7 game against Melbourne.
Police also evicted 20 people for drunkenness and behaviour offences, 16 of whom were hit with penalty notices.
Three people received infringement notices for traffic matters, including disobey traffic lights, parking and failing to display a rideshare sign.
And two were arrested, one for an outstanding warrant and one for public drunkenness.