Fans set off flares in Richmond ahead of A-League grand final

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Fans have lit flares in Richmond ahead of Saturday night’s A-League grand final between Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City at nearby AAMI Park.

Victoria Police promised a strong, visible presence at the game, and officers are lined up at just about every park, footpath and car park in the area surrounding the stadium.

Victory fans had planned to begin their march to the venue at 6pm from the corner of Lennox and Swan streets in Richmond ahead of the 7.40pm kick-off.

Hundreds of fans wearing Victory blue had already stationed themselves along the pub strip of Swan Street, where some lit flares in front of uniformed officers.

There was some pushing and shoving around 6pm as worried fans ducked away from the flares, covering their eyes and mouths with scarves and beanies.

The release of flares may have excited some rowdy attendees, but the majority of fans were visibly annoyed by it.

Fans set off flares in Swan Street, Richmond, ahead of the A-League grand final at AAMI Park on Saturday night.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

Police seemed unfazed by the action, labelling the pre-game antics as the actions of “a few bad eggs”.

Officers were directed to follow the crowds as they marched to the stadium.

Orange traffic barricades set up along Swan Street were designed to keep crowds at bay and prevent large groups of fans from congregating.

But that seemed to have impeded some members of the public as they attempted to duck from the flares.

Some fans jumped the barricades as chants of “F--- the pigs” were heard.

Members of the riot squad then stepped in, pushing back crowds as they drew closer to the police barricade.

One Victory fan, Cam, who did not want to provide his surname, said he felt that the heavy police presence in the area had created an unsafe atmosphere.

“Everyone knows everyone here, they’re all supporting their team. I’m protecting my sister because we’ve got the police, the horses, they’ve made people anxious and ready to push back,” he said.

Fans in Swan Street, Richmond, set off flares ahead of the A-League grand final.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui

“It’s created a tone of us versus them. When was the last time you walked down the street and saw armoured police?”

Things settled down as fans streamed into the stadium as kick-off drew near.

Police remain stationed outside almost every pub on Swan Street as fans who missed out on tickets to the game turn their eyes to the broadcast.

Melbourne Victory supporter Erkan Ozkan.Credit: Hannah Hammoud

Erkan Ozkan got swept up in the pre-game energy that fired up the Victory supporters as they made their way to the stadium.

“I was in Europe six months ago, this is nothing compared [to that] – trust me this is normal,” he said.

He’s already gearing up to be part of the action again, but only if things go his way after the final whistle.

“As long as we win … I’ll be there,” he said.

This is the first grand final meeting between the two Melbourne sides.

Much has been written about the unsavoury behaviour soccer crowds can sometimes bring, but for Victory fan Stephanie Malkoun, there’s something special about tonight’s atmosphere as she attends her first grand final.

Malkoun, who is attending the final with her two daughters, said the trio were as passionate as they come.“We’re very excited for them to bring home the trophy today,” she said while waiting outside AAMI Park.

Melbourne Victory fan Stephanie Malkoun before the A-League grand final.Credit: Hannah Hammoud

“It always gets a bit nerve-wracking, especially after the women lost a couple of weeks ago. All of our hearts are really in it today.”

After a heartbreaking semi-final loss to Western United last year, Malkoun said she was expecting tonight’s derby final to be “epic”.

“You’re on the edge of your seat the whole time, you never know how it’s going to go. Watching your team fight ’til the end is what really makes it worth it.”

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