Police may stop traffic near AFL Grand Final if crowd misbehaves

UPDATE: POLICE will be able close off streets near the MCG after the Grand Final if crowds misbehave. It comes as thousands of fans faced being locked out of the club’s final training session.

POLICE patrolling the outskirts of the MCG after this weekend’s grand final will have the power to shut down roads to cars if crowds misbehave.

It comes as Victoria Police announced a blitz on drivers and pedestrians ahead of the long weekend.

Police Minister Lisa Neville said the preference was to keep roads open to allow vehicle and pedestrian flow.

But officers could halt traffic in an emergency or if an unexpected crowd event compromised safety.

“Obviously it may be a dynamic situation and police will be there to monitor the arrangements,” Ms Neville said.

She said the decision was made following planning meetings yesterday with concerned agencies including VicRoads, local council, police and the Richmond Football Club.

“The view of all those agencies was absolutely not to close the road,” Ms Neville said.

The huge crowd that greeted the Western Bulldogs at their final training session last year. Picture: Michael Klein

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Assistant Commissioner for road policing Doug Fryer said the movement of pedestrians and vehicles leaving the game could be a “challenge” but police would keep an eye on public behaviour and road conditions.

“Should there be an activity that causes us to close Swan St or any part of the highways we can do it,” Mr Fryer said.

Thousands of extra police will be on the roads “from the oceans to the rivers” during Operation Scoreboard from Thursday night and during the weekend.

Mr Fryer warned against drugged or drunk drivers thinking of “running the gauntlet” as police focus on extra roadside breath and saliva testing throughout the state.

“If you’re going to have a drink, please don’t get behind the wheel,” he said.

Last year, there were no fatalities on Victorian roads over the Grand Final long-weekend and police hope the result will be the same this time.

“What we ask is everyone just look out for their mates,” Mr Fryer said.

It comes after Richmond football talent manager Dan Richardson said Punt Rd would not be able to cope with the size of the crowd expected on Friday for the club’s final training session.

“That will be a big morning, I’m sure a lot of people will turn up but hopefully we can satisfy as many as possible,” he told SEN.

Punt Rd Oval only has a capacity for 5000 spectators when the team trains.

Last year more than 10,000 people crammed into Whitten Oval to watch the Bulldogs’ final training session.

Punt Rd Oval will not cope with the size of the crowd that cheered on the Bulldogs last year. Picture: Alex Coppel

Thousands of Western Bulldogs fans attended the final training session at Whitten Oval last year. Picture: Alex Coppel

Fans who can’t fit into Punt Rd will be shut-out and told to head to the Grand Final Parade or the AFL live site in Yarra Park, Richmond says.

If the Tigers triumph on Saturday, unprecedented crowds are also expected to pack Richmond streets including Swan St and Bridge Rd.

But major Richmond roads near the MCG won’t be closed ahead of time, despite a push by the City of Yarra.

As well as a crowd of 100,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, an additional 16,000-plus Tigers fans are expected to pack Punt Rd Oval, when fans will be able to sit on the oval.

City of Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly, concerned about safety, had campaigned for a 48-hour closure of Swan St, between Punt Rd and Church St, to all traffic except trams.

He also backed the closure of Punt Rd, between Swan St and Bridge Rd, on Sunday, in the event that Richmond claims the silverware.

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Richmond supporters are expected to swamp Tigerland in huge numbers if their team salutes on the weekend. Picture: AAP Image/Luis Ascui

But VicRoads said on Tuesday that standard game-day road changes would apply.

An extra measure will be the enforcing of a 40kmh speed limit on Punt Rd between CityLink and Bridge Rd. Street parking on Swan St will also be removed, for the benefit of pedestrians.

Cr Jolly said despite VicRoads’ decision, the sheer force of numbers would likely close the streets anyway.

“We have to deal with the reality that there are going to be a lot of people turning up,’’ he said.

“It’s a basic safety issue.

“This is an unparalleled situation. If they don’t close the streets, VicRoads and Victoria Police must have a contingency plan in place. I think this is going to be much bigger than anyone could imagine.’’

Cr Jolly said that closing Punt Rd between Swan St and Bridge Rd on Sunday would ensure the safety of thousands of punters who would otherwise be forced to negotiate the traffic to get to Richmond’s family day at Punt Rd Oval.

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Closing Punt Rd between Bridge Rd and Swan St will ensure the safety of thousands of punters, Cr Stephen Jolly says. Picture: Ellen Smith

Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly says the sheer force of numbers will likely close Richmond streets anyway. Picture: Kris Reichl

He said council had been involved in talks with authorities and the club to try to ensure the weekend festivities went smoothly.

“The spontaneity, the enthusiasm — we’ve certainly never seen anything like it.’’

Cr Jolly said the council had also been in talks with Richmond over plans for a reception on the steps of the town hall next week.

Local businesses have already signalled that several laneways off Bridge Rd will be closed.

And from tonight the town hall will be lit up with a yellow and black projection.

Swan Hotel general manager Cameron Johns welcomed the proposal to close the streets, saying he was preparing for one of the biggest weekends in the pub’s history.

“I’ve doubled the number of our staff and security,’’ Mr Johns said.

“I’ve worked in the pub industry for 18 years, and this is probably the biggest event I’ve ever dealt with.

“There is a real pulse on the streets, a fantastic vibe, and it is great for the community.’’

Portable toilets will be placed on Swan St and Bridge Rd, and portable water fountains will also be provided by City West Water.

A free AFL live site will be running at Yarra Park.

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