NRL grand final climate change protest thwarted by stadium security

Former Raiders player Mark McLinden was unable to repeat last year’s pitch invasion of the NRL grand final.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 02: A pitch invader is apprehended by security staff during the 2022 NRL Grand Final match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at Accor Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Another planned on-field protest by former Canberra player Mark McLinden never eventuated as heightened security at the venue made sure were no pitch invaders.

McLinden had promised to disrupt the Penrith and Brisbane clash like he had done 12 months earlier. This time though it never happened. It is unclear if his plan was thwarted by security or if he never followed through with his planned protest.

McLinden put out a statement just before kick-off and said the only reason he would not take to the field was if security was the venue stopped him.

McLinden invaded the pitch at the grand final last year. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“Since my protest at last year’s grand final the Australian government has approved some of the biggest gas projects Australia has ever seen,” McLinden said. “It is madness. The Albanese Government was elected on a campaign of climate action yet they continue to fuel climate breakdown that will make life on earth a misery for our kids and grandchildren. The actions are unconscionable and unacceptable.”

It is understood police were informed by either McLinden or someone attached to his activist group that he planned to make another on-field process.

Security staff at Accor Stadium were on high alert and were spotted holding images of former McLinden tried to chain himself to a goalpost during the Penrith and Parramatta decider in 2022.

Extra security were placed on either in-goal areas and the areas had secure fencing. Extra police also patrolled the sidelines.

McLinden was arrested last year after jumping the fence with football boots on and a bike chain around his neck. McLinden was fined $5000 and received a ban from attending matches.

He played 165 matches for Canberra between 1998-2004.

Originally published as NRL grand final climate change protest thwarted by stadium security