‘Disappointing and dangerous’: Crows coach says pitch invader put everyone at risk

Before bringing the Crows and Geelong blockbuster to a screeching halt, new footage shows last night’s pitch invader pinching property off of a security guard.

Ben Keays of the Crows knocks a pitch invader to the ground during the round two AFL match between Adelaide Crows and Geelong Cats. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

• Adelaide Oval ‘idiot’ arrested

   

The AFL is considering banning the pitch invader from Friday night’s clash between the Adelaide Crows and Geelong Cats from all grounds countrywide, amid calls for a harsher punishment.

With just under eight minutes to go in the third quarter at Adelaide Oval, a 22-year-old northern suburbs man jumped the barrier, grabbed a sitting security guard’s hat and ran onto the field, holding a mobile phone in his hand, as he ran into contested play while a security guard chased after him.

On Saturday, Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority (AOSMA) issued a statement saying they had banned the intruder for a minimum of three-years.

SEN sports commentator, Gerard Whateley said he was “perplexed” at the three-year ban, and called for harsher penalties for all pitch intruders.

Ben Keays of the Crows knocks the pitch invader to the ground. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

Security escorting the man off the pitch. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

“I’m so curious about the Adelaide Oval rationale. What could you do that was worse than that?”, Whateley said.

“He’s run from the fence, pinched a security guard’s cap, he’s made contact with two players, I just grapple with what could earn you the maximum ban if that’s the minimum?

“Go 10 years as a ceremonial gesture. Say, ‘if you do this, you’ll be an old man by the time you come back…’ it’s a free swing, you can’t go too high.

Crow Ben Keays brought down an ‘idiot’ pitch invader in front of more than 40,000 fans after he was filmed jumping the fence and sprinting into play. The 22-year-old Blakeview man has a date with the courts and has been banned from Adelaide Oval. https://t.co/n8Y1Jhuphs #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/u03Zj5Zj9g

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) March 23, 2024

“That fellow has no right to ever go to the footy again.”

The AFL was unhappy with what unfolded and was leaning towards a pretty significant ban for the 22-year-old.The league’s head of security will speak to Adelaide Oval management from a security perspective about deterrents to reduce the chances of it occurring again.

The man came into contact with at least two players. Picture: Sarah Reed/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Meanwhile, the Adelaide Football Club confirmed that the intruder was not a Crows member, and that it supported the punishment handed down by Adelaide Oval.

At post game press conferences, coaches from both teams were “disappointed” with the “high-risk” act that put the intruders’ own safety, and the safety of players and officials at risk.

At least two Crows players, Ben Keays and Matt Crouch came into contact with the man, with Keays grabbing him by the collar and dumping him on the ground.

“It’s really disappointing, and it’s dangerous,” Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said.

“There’s high risk in that and that’s probably what I’m talking about when it comes to the dangerous part of someone being on a footy field especially when the games’ going and being right amongst it.

“The dangers are huge, not only for our players but for that individual.”

Geelong Coach Chris Scott recalled a cricket incident in 1982 which left player Terry Alderman with a dislocated shoulder. Picture: News Corp

Geelong Coach, Chris Scott also had strong words about the incident, but was hesitant to tell reporters what he really thought.

“I mean, I’d be annoyed if I was the Crows (because) they had the ball, I know the rules are the rules but, I think you know what I think,” he said.

“I’m not gonna say it but, maybe the fines aren’t big enough. It’s really dangerous too.

The 22-year-old was arrested and charged with entering an oval during a scheduled event under the Recreation Grounds Regulations.

He is set to face the Adelaide Magistrates Court on June 19.

Originally published as ‘Disappointing and dangerous’: Crows coach says pitch invader put everyone at risk