Marvel Stadium denies adding security as AFL fans lash apparent increased patrolling at matches

Marvel Stadium says it hasn’t beefed up security at games but it is working on finding the right balance after conceding an increase in patrolling has left some fans uncomfortable.

Marvel Stadium boss Michael Green says the venue will review the aggressive patrolling of aisles by security guards, admitting people feel “intimidated” by the new policy.

The day after a violent brawl marred the clash between the Western Bulldogs and Carlton at Marvel Stadium, Green said the AFL-owned venue had not increased the number of security guards this year but said those staff were doing more “active patrolling” of aisles.

Fans have flooded radio talkback in recent days, saying they feel afraid to barrack for their teams.

Green said the quick intervention of security staff and police had stopped a scuffle after the Carlton-Bulldogs game from turning into a “nasty incident”.

But the stadium chief executive concedes the security staff might have created an atmosphere that is no longer comfortable for fans.

Security speak to a fan at the Carlton-Western Bulldogs clash at Marvel Stadium. Pic: Getty Images

“We have consciously increased the amount of aisle patrolling we have done in the past few weeks,” he told 3AW.

“Clearly we haven’t yet found the balance between providing a safe environment and not wanting people to feel intimidated.

“We will be reviewing that and try to get to that balance where people can feel comfortable and safe at events without feeling intimidated.”

“Clearly at the moment we haven’t found the right balance.”

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Green said the behaviour of fans has been excellent, which begs the question why the security guards have been so aggressive this year.

“I would say generally speaking there has been no escalation in bad behaviour at games,” he said.

“This weekend we had over 80,000 to the venue and over two games we had four people evicted for anti-social behaviour. It is an amazingly small number.”

He said umpire Matthew Nicholls said he believed he heard something else when Carlton fan “Frankie” was ejected from the stadium last week for calling him a “bald-headed flog”.

My Twitter opening instruction asks, ‘What’s Happening’ ...... should’ve added .... ‘to our game?’. 40 years in the game and played, coached and spectated at some inhospitable ( wonderful) rival grounds. This is a first for me.
Have we really got to this? So sad if we have. pic.twitter.com/jNivgnFRQK

— Robert Shaw (@shawry_analyst) June 15, 2019

The issue of fan behaviour and security at matches has come sharply into focus in recent days, with images of ‘behavioural awareness officers’ snapped at Friday night’s Essendon-Hawthorn clash forcing social media into meltdown.

Hawthorn fans hit out at what they perceived as hyper-vigilant security during the game.

Hawks cheer squad member John Harber yesterday said he was approached after expressing his discontent over an umpiring decision.

“I had my arm and I am going “holding the man, holding the man, where is the free kick?” he told Channel 7.

He came over and said ‘calm down, calm down’ and I said ‘what are you talking about?’

“I said this is the cheer squad. We are loud, proud and passionate — that’s our job.

“So I suggest you go and sit down and do your job.”

That incident came after Channel 7 host Nat Edwards, sitting in the outer at the match, said she felt “like we were being spied on”.

I was on level 3 and it was very awkward. Security was staring down anyone who became animated and several fans were warned for just barracking. It was like we were being spied on. https://t.co/sjjHoYMeoG

— Nat Edwards (@Nat_Edwards) June 14, 2019

However Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney said he was “shocked” by some things he heard in the crowd.

“You don’t really hear much when you’re out on the field ... (but) sitting in the stands, the abuse that is hurled to players, I’ve wanted to leave a couple of times while watching games of footy,” Cooney said on GameDay.

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“With young kids around, I understand that fans are passionate and I love it when they cheer, but some of the abuse that is hurled out to the players is horrid and it’s made me want to leave the footy a couple of times.

“My kids are sort of turning (around to see what’s being said). It’s fine to be passionate but vilifying and swearing and the outright abuse has to stop.

‘I’m OK with security walking up and down twice a quarter.”

Supporting your club passionately doesn’t constitute inappropriate behavior.

Abusive language, derogatory comments, racial, homophobic, religious vilification is inappropriate & unacceptable.

Does the @AFL & security contractor educate staff about the difference? https://t.co/2gH0sqq9zI

— Wayne Schwass (@WayneSchwass) June 15, 2019