AFL security angst is out of control

Fans wanted increased security after early-season incidents, and when it came they weren’t happy about it. Now it’s time for everyone, from supporters to security to take a step back and breathe, writes Mark Robinson.

A security guard speaking to a member of the Hawthorn cheer squad at Marvel Stadium on Friday night. Picture: Channel 7

Everyone needs to chill out.

And that’s the fans, the “orange coaters’’ and the people bashing the AFL.

There’s issues, no doubt, but fundamentally an increased security feel at football matches is a good thing, if it makes people safer from violence and unruly behaviour.

The major problem, aside from another outbreak of violence at the game on Saturday night, is fans are feeling intimidated by the overenthusiastic actions of those wearing the orange coats.

Too many fans were complaining for the issue to be ignored.

And they have to be listened to.

On Sunday, Marvel Stadium boss Michael Green conceded he would review all operations.

“We don’t want our fans to feel intimidated by security,’’ he said on 3AW.

“We actually want them to feel safe and secure, so it’s something that we will be reviewing to make sure that we get that balance right.

“Clearly, from (the feedback) we’ve taken that too far.’’

Security and “Behavioural Awareness Officers” in the crowd at the Carlton v Bulldogs game. Picture: Channel 7

Finally, some clarity on an issue which has been bubbling for three weeks and reached boiling point at the weekend.

So, the orange coaters will relax their so-called intimidatory behaviour.

And fans can help.

Green said yesterday more people were contacting the emergency number to report bad behaviour, mainly for excessive swearing.

Two young people were cautioned by security at the Carlton-Bulldogs game, which was captured by TV cameras, but Green said they weren’t evicted from the arena.

Is that a bad thing? Security telling people to curb swearing in a family-friendly environment?

The patrolling of the aisles, which strangely caused ill-feeling, is another good thing on a crowded, alcohol-soaked Saturday night, surely.

Green yesterday defended the AFL, which had been accused of changing its policy on security.

The AFL denied it — but no one believed them.

AIG Security “Behavioural Awareness Officers” at Marvel Stadium. Picture: Twitter.

“We haven’t had any direction or requests to increase our security or policing at AFL events, nor have we done,” Green said.

“But what we have done over the last number of weeks is increase our visual presence of our security.’’

So, the “big’’ change which caused outrage to be directed at AFL chief Gillon McLachlan was not Marvel Stadium increasing the number of security guards, but deciding to better deploy them.

Wise decision that one.

But it’s rocked the culture of football, say the disenchanted.

How dare they walk the aisles and look at us fans, say the disenchanted.

Carlton fans being escorted out by security from Marvel Stadium. Picture: Channel 7

Police try to separate a fight in the crowd at the Carlton-Western Bulldogs game. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

The positive is the orange coaters will relax.

And hopefully fans will as well.

Because it has to be noted, calls for increased security came after fights broke out at several games earlier in the season and fans wanted an increased security presence to counter it.

And when it arrived, the fans weren’t happy.

We can’t have it both ways.

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What we do need, however, is AFL clarity on their involvement in the “green maggot’’ and “flog man’’ incidents.

It was revealed on Sunday that umpire Mat Nicholls believed he wasn’t called a “bald headed flog’’ but something more sinister.

That incident has blown out of all proportion, notwithstanding the peculiar reasons why people would verbally assault umpires in the first place.

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