Teen with knife, fake gun allegedly tried to enter AFL match

Teen allegedly armed with ‘small’ knife, fake gun tried to enter Marvel stadium on Saturday during the Essendon Sydney game.

The teenager was allegedly armed with a small knife and fake gun when he tried, and failed, to enter Marvel Stadium during the round nine clash between Essendon and Sydney. Photo: Getty Images

The AFL has been hit with another security scare after a teenager allegedly armed with a knife tried to enter a match on Saturday.

A 15-year-old boy allegedly armed with a small knife and fake gun tried — but failed — to get into the Essendon-Sydney match at Marvel Stadium during the first quarter.

A police spokesman said the boy did not have a ticket for the game, but approached a gate and “enquired about entering the venue” at about 4:30pm.

He was searched by officers nearby, who allegedly found an imitation firearm and “small” knife.

A police spokesman said the teenager was issued a caution.

Security has been tightened across AFL matches after a breach earlier this year saw two men allegedly enter the MCG while armed with guns.

The AFL said at the time that their screening technology had worked, but security personnel had failed to do a proper secondary search when alerted and “human error” was to blame.

The league reassured fans in the wake of the incident that venues had robust security systems, and their secondary screening processes have been improved.

The AFL has been contacted for comment.