Footy flashback: AFL’s most memorable crowd invasions

Footy fans have always loved running onto the ground, and there’s no better time to flood the hallowed turf than when a big forward slots his 100th goal. Here are some of the AFL’s most memorable crowd invasions.

Tony Lockett was mobbed by teammates and supporters after breaking the AFL/VFL goalkicking record in 1999.

Footy lovers have always found a way to invade an AFL/VFL ground.

Whether it be racing to the centre square for a post-match kick-to-kick, giving the two finger salute alongside the goal umpire, or mobbing a superstar forward who has just kicked a ton, fans will get on the turf.

Supporters were for years denied the chance to legally grace the hallowed MCG or Marvel Stadium after games, before the popular move to bring back post-match kick to kick in 2015.

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But will 2019 be the year supporters again invade an oval during a game?

It’s been 11 years since an AFL player slammed through a century of goals in a season as the stay-at-home full-forwards have gone the way of the video store.

However, if there is one man to do it this year, GWS ace Jeremy Cameron will be it.

The Giants star has slotted 30 goals during the first seven rounds, putting him on track for three figures early in the finals series if he keeps up his average of 4.3 majors a game and stays fit.

Here are a few memorable crowd invasions in anticipation of what could come.

LANCE FRANKLIN (2008)

The AFL was powerless to stop fans storming the field when Hawthorn superstar Lance Franklin kicked his 100th goal of the season.

AFL HQ warned before the looming milestone in round 22, 2008 that fans would face heavy fines for running onto the ground as they wanted to look after the “safety of both players and supporters”.

Lance Franklin is mobbed by fans in 2008.

But when thousands of fans charge at the same time, there isn’t going to be much a few security guards can do.

It was a famous night at Docklands (then Telstra Dome) when the man they call ‘Buddy’ secured his ton late in the first quarter.

Brendan Fevola congratulates Lance Franklin on his milestone

But Fevola was left flat after finishing the year stranded on 99 goals.

If it wasn’t for some inaccurate kicking from Brendan Fevola and Hawthorn’s determination to spoil the Carlton spearhead’s party, there could have been two pitch invasions.

The Blues star was stranded on 99, Shane Warne style, after starting the game on 92 majors and booting seven goals in a game his team lost by 78 points.

FRASER GEHRIG (2004)

Aside from being one of the best finals games this century, the 2004 preliminary final is best known for the dramatic momentum shift that followed St Kilda cult hero Fraser Gehrig converting his 100th major of the season.

The G-Train put the Saints 14 points in front early in the first quarter after dominating a nervous Port Adelaide, who were trying to qualify for their first grand final.

Fraser Gehrig kicks his 100th goal.

He gave a subdued celebration before being taken off the field.

Saints fans raced onto AAMI Stadium (also known as Football Park) as security guards shielded the hulking forward off the ground and into the rooms.

The game was stopped for several minutes, even though St Kilda players pleaded for their own faithful to get back into the stands.

Saints hardman Steve Baker’s dad Greg was famously part of the on-ground mayhem after jumping the fence.

Security and fans surround Fraser Gehrig after his 100th goal.

“I have done a few interviews where he is the main topic. He plays it down a bit, but I know he loves it,” Baker later said.

After a thrilling encounter where the margin barely blew out to double digits either way, the Power snuck home by six points to break St Kilda hearts.

TONY LOCKETT (1999)

This one stands above all else.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment we will never see again.

Football legend Tony ‘Plugger’ Lockett broke the all-time goals record in June 1999 when he floated a wobbly kick through for his 1300th career major.

“Aren’t we privileged ... he will be remembered forever,” commentator Bruce McAvaney cheered.

Tony Lockett kicking his 1300th career goal. Picture. Phil Hillyard

Lockett holds the ball aloft after the Swans smashed Collingwood in 1999.

By doing so, Lockett passed Collingwood’s Gordon Coventry, who kicked 1299 goals during a legendary career between 1920 and 1937.

Thousands of Swan fans raced onto the ground to mob their goalkicking hero, who had to be shielded by teammates and security guards.

Unlike Gehrig and Franklin, Lockett actually brought up his milestone with a shot after the quarter-time siren, meaning the moment could be enjoyed as it should.

Fans invade the SCG oval after Lockett’s 1300th goal.

MATTHEW LLOYD (2000, 2001)

The Essendon spearhead opened the new millennium by kicking tons in back-to-back years.

On both occasions, he did it in a Bombers’ qualifying final win.

Lloyd remembers the events fondly, recalling his brothers Brad and Simon joining him out on the MCG.

Security whisks away Matthew Lloyd after his 100th goal against North Melbourne in 2000.

Bombers fans get around Matthew Lloyd after his milestone.

“The funniest one was against Richmond the second year (Qualifying Final, 2001),” he told the Herald Sun in 2008.

“My brothers jumped the fence; Matt Tilley was out there on the ground from Fox FM.”

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