Shocking ‘pre-planned’ local footy brawl in St Albans vs Hillside sees game called off

A suburban Melbourne footy match was called off at three-quarter-time after a disgraceful brawl between players and fans broke out.

A brawl at an EDFL match.

A suburban Melbourne footy match was called off at three-quarter-time after a disgraceful brawl between players and fans broke out.

The Essendon District Football League Division 1 clash between St Albans and Hillside at Kings Park was tipped to get violent even before the game began, with Hillside warning fans about anti-social behaviour.

But things got even worse than expected with police attending after an all-out brawl erupted with Hillside leading 9.5 (59) to 5.11 (41).

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Footage on Nine News showed a large crowd of people spilling out onto the field with a Hillside player tackled to the ground as fans from both sides punched and kicked each other.

Anti-violence campaigner and long-time footy figure Phil Cleary told Nine “I have heard stories that it was pre-planned”.

Players and spectators have gone toe to toe in an ugly brawl on a suburban football field, condemned by anti-violence campaigners.

The game was called off and police called in, sparking demands for the AFL to intervene. @eliza_rugg9#9Newspic.twitter.com/kLz7UpZ3sJ

— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) May 22, 2023

“Police attended a football game in Kings Park on Saturday, 20 May,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

“It is understood players from both teams and spectators were fighting at a sports ground on Gillespie Road and police arrived and separated the parties.

“There were no official complaints made to police and no one was taken into custody.”

Hillside was provisionally awarded the victory.

Originally published as Shocking ‘pre-planned’ local footy brawl in St Albans vs Hillside sees game called off