Bucket Man unfairly treated as ‘face’ of pitch invasion, lawyer argues

A violent football fan is seeking to dodge jail over the AAMI Park pitch invasion, claiming he has been punished by being known as “Bucket Man”, the “face” of the incident.

The media attention “Bucket Man” has received since a shameful pitch invasion at last year’s Melbourne soccer derby should see him dodge jail, according to his lawyer.

Alex Agelopoulos, 24, is appealing a three-month jail sentence having pleaded guilty to violent disorder and entering a pitch without a reasonable excuse.

“Of all the offenders who engaged in this mindless activity ... he is the one who has become the face of this terrible incident,” Dermot Dann KC told the County Court of Victoria on Tuesday.

The “public clamour for retribution” against Agelopoulos has served as its own form of punishment, Mr Dann said.

Being the “face” of the pitch invasion had also led to Agelopoulos being treated overly harshly by the courts, Mr Dann said.

Alex Agelopoulos, 24, has been dubbed ‘Bucket Man’. Picture: David Crosling

Other pitch invaders who were guilty of violent disorder received community corrections orders rather than jail time, Mr Dann added, arguing that a community order was appropriate for his client.

“None of those other members have been sentenced to a period of imprisonment.”

Agelopoulos was one of more than 100 Melbourne Victory fans, many linked with fan group Original Style Melbourne, who stormed the pitch during the match against Melbourne City at AAMI Park on December 17 2022.

Alex Agelopoulos leaves Melbourne Magistrates’ Court following a hearing. Picture: Nicki Connolly

Shocking footage again played before the court captured the moment Agelopoulos picked up a metal bucket and threw it at Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover’s head.

Glover was concussed and required stitches to his head.

The “agitated and aggressive” Melbourne Victory fans also threw more than 80 flares and caused $150,000 worth of damage during the chaos, the court heard.

The match was abandoned and Melbourne Victory was later hit with a record $550,000 fine.

Agelopoulos did not enter the field of play intending to harm Glover, the court heard.

“The intention was to disrupt the soccer game,” Mr Dann said.

“It certainly had that effect,” Judge Mark Gamble replied.

Agelopoulos also had a history of drug and alcohol abuse which contributed to his offending, the court heard.

Judge Gamble was “sceptical” about Agelopoulos’s claims to have completely kicked drugs and booze without any professional help, ordering him to undergo further assessment to judge if he would be suitable for a community order.

Agelopoulos will return to court on Friday.