Essendon and Hawthorn supporters clearly disgruntled by the AFL’s treatment of fans

Supporters from both Essendon and Hawthorn were under the impression their every move was being watched at Marvel Stadium. And they weren’t afraid to make that point clear.

Zach Merrett thanks fans after the match. Picture: Getty Images

The bitter rivalry between Essendon and Hawthorn has been edge-of-your-seat drama for decades.

But as the spite didn’t reach historic levels on the field at Marvel Stadium, the fans’ attitude towards the AFL was at boiling point.

More than 14 years on from the violent scenes of the infamous ‘‘line in the sand’’ game at the MCG, 2019’s instalment was more a tongue-in-cheek case of ‘‘line in the grandstand’’, with members of both clubs clearly disgruntled by the treatment of fans recently.

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Although security wasn’t noticeably heightened, supporters were under the impression their every move was being watched.

And they weren’t afraid to make that point clear.

“Shhh! The AFL is watching us!” one man yelled behind the Essendon cheer squad early in the game.

“Be quiet! Go cheer somewhere else!” another joked moments later.

The unrest reached its peak when a Bombers member accused a man in neutral clothing near the Essendon cheer squad of being a spy sent by the AFL.

The man laughed it off, yet the member was left visibly sceptical.

But the loss of trust in the game’s governing body didn’t keep the fans away or quash their passion.

After crowd evictions in recent weeks for seemingly insignificant remarks, expletive terms were shouted at umpires in front of security guards throughout the match with no consequences.

“What f---ing game are you watching, you f---ing idiot!” one fan screamed a mere two metres from security staff.

It seems the barrackers haven’t lost their sense of humour though.

Multiple wry “green maggot” and “bald-headed flog” comments (for which fans have been kicked out of stadiums in the past month) were made at intentionally low volumes between mates to escape the ears of security staff.

Standing-room tickets were the only option available at the gates and the crowd was at near capacity.

It was obvious footy hadn’t lost its passion.

But faith in those running the show is clearly at a crossroads with the most important stakeholders of the game — the fans.