Showdown pitch invader Jeremy Cortvriend banned for six years

The Power fanatic who disrupted the Showdown has learned his fate for the bold stunt – made worse because it wasn’t his first time around.

The pitch invader who streaked across Adelaide Oval during Saturday night’s Showdown has been handed a lengthy ban for his stunt.

Jeremy Cortvriend, 34, has been banned from attending Adelaide Oval for six years after he ran across the field during Port Adelaide superstar Robbie Gray’s final AFL game.

It was reportedly the first game Cortvriend had attended since serving a four-year ban for a similar incident.

The Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority condemned his actions in a statement, labelling the pitch invasion a “premeditated, dangerous and reckless act in clear contravention of the Conditions of Entry”.

“As this is the second time this individual has committed this offence, he will be banned from entering any part of Adelaide Oval for any event for six years commencing with immediate effect,” the statement said.

The normal maximum ban for a pitch invader is three years, however, the suspension was doubled due to Cortvriend being a repeat offender.

In 2017, Cortvriend was fined $3000 for pitch invading during an AFL game at Adelaide Oval, asking the court for leniency.

Jeremy Cortvriend runs onto Adelaide Oval. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty Images

He told the court he “would not do it again, no way”.

“Can I just say, if it helps, that I wasn’t nude?” he asked the court at the time.

“I didn’t do a nudie run.”

Magistrate David White said that did not lessen the seriousness of that offence.

Outside court, Cortvriend said he had “only wanted to kick a goal and help the boys out”, yelling “go the Power” as he crossed Victoria Square.

Yesterday, Cortvriend advertised the shoes he wore during his final-quarter run of Showdown 52 for sale.

Cortvriend posted the Connor black business loafers, which usually retail for about $60, on Facebook Marketplace – with the huge mark up attributed to the ground they’ve trodden.

The advertisement, under the name Jezza Bell, is headlined: The shoes that ran on Adelaide Oval Saturday Night Robbie Gary’s Last game.

It goes on to say the “very classy” shoes are “good for pitch invading, nearly got me across the whole field never let me down”.

The pitch invader was among five people arrested at Saturday night’s Showdown.

Over 50,000 people packed out Adelaide Oval for the Showdown on Saturday night, the biggest crowd since prior to the pandemic.

Security and police were kept busy throughout the night as two people ran onto the field, while tempers flared over in the crowd.

Saturday night's pitch invader has listed the shoes he wore on Facebook Marketplace for $500

Saturday night's pitch invader has listed the shoes he wore on Facebook Marketplace for $500

The first pitch invader – wearing the shoes in question if the advert is to be trusted – ran on the ground 16 minutes from the final siren with a man getting onto the ground from the northern end of the ground.

He was able to run on the field for more than 100m, avoiding multiple security guards to get to the other side of the ground before he was eventually stopped.

He has been charged and will face the Adelaide Magistrates Court in October.

Another punter tried his luck on the final siren but was quickly stopped by security.

Other arrests related to anti-social behaviour with fans caught fighting in the stands by mobile phone footage.

The power won by an epic 56-points on Saturday.

After their leaders described the Crows as “arrogant and entitled” during a spicy pre-game build-up, it was on the Power to deliver in their club great’s farewell game.

And not even the pitch invader in black business shoes could distract them from their task.

So would you pay $500 bucks for the boots that tread the same hallowed ground as the Gray GOAT?

Originally published as Showdown pitch invader Jeremy Cortvriend banned for six years