Thugs avoid jail over shocking MCG footy brawl
A gibe over a man’s bleached hair sparked the wild MCG footy brawl that shocked Melbourne. The footy thug said he threw a flurry of punches after another fan mocked his new hairdo. VIDEO
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The thug who lashed out with a flurry of punches in the MCG brawl that shocked Melbourne said he launched his attack after being teased about his hair cut.
CCTV captures the shocking moment Samuel Bevan-Shannon, 20, threw a series of rapid-fire punches following Richmond’s win against Carlton after the March 21 season opener.
The labourer said he reacted after being “stirred” about his peroxide blonde hair from other footy fans.
His mates — brothers Daniel and Patrick O’Connor, 20 and 21 — rushed in to desperately try to defuse the fight, before becoming involved.
On his arrest, Bevan-Shannon told police: “I just don’t see why I am getting into trouble and the other guys that started it aren’t.”
But Bevan-Shannon admitted he did “the wrong thing” and “will wear it on the chin”.
He and the O’Connor siblings today pleaded guilty to one count each of affray at Melbourne Magistrates Court.
Magistrate Dan Muling said he had no choice but to convict Bevan-Shannon for the “very clear role” he played in the fracas.
“Your behaviour is unacceptable, inexcusable — it’s violence,” Mr Muling said.
The AFL has banned the trio from attending any AFL matches for three years.
The court heard Bevan-Shannon, from Eltham, initially went to the back of the seats to watch the game after he became fed up with the unwanted banter.
But once the siren sounded, he forced his way through the crowd towards his sledgers, telling the O’Connor siblings he wanted to “make peace” with the men and shake their hands.
Soon after offering his hand out to one of the men, the pair butted heads and an all-in fight ensued in the stands.
After watching the footage in court, Mr Muling said it was “like two bulls butting heads”.
He accepted Bevan-Shannon was being “picked on” by the patrons, but said he should have ignored them.
“You don’t need to get in their face,” he said.
“You should’ve stayed at the back and celebrated the Tigers winning. Why return?”
He said all walks of life attend the football to enjoy the game and support their team, not be subjected to violent behaviour.
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The court heard one man described “sickening” scenes he had never seen before.
“There was a boy crying, my teenage daughter and niece were shaken up and I was concerned for the welfare of my 80 year old father who would have no ability to evade anything,” the witness said.
Mr Muling took into consideration the trio’s young age, it was their first time before the court and their remorse, but said he had to send a message of deterrence to would-be offenders.
“We can’t allow this to happen,” he said.
He convicted Bevan-Shannon and ordered he complete a 12-month Community Correction Order, with unpaid community work. The O’Connor brothers, from Greensborough, avoided a criminal record and were each fined $2500.
All three did not comment as they left court.