AFL fans fume at MCG ‘joke’ as ramped-up security measures see punters miss first bounce

AFL fans were left fuming on Saturday afternoon as many missed the start of the clash due to ramped-up security measures.

Ramped-up security measures saw fans left waiting in crawling lines after staff failed to prevent two men from entering the MCG allegedly carrying loaded guns on Thursday night.

Less than 48 hours after the huge scare at Thursday night’s Collingwood-Carlton blockbuster, meticulous security was limiting the number of fans let through the underwire metal detecting gates at one time to ensure almost every patron with a bag was thoroughly checked.

FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.

MCG chief executive Stuart Fox warned of “slight delays” in the lead-up to the clash but that was an understatement and a half.

Queues stretching hundreds of metres snaked around the MCG ahead of the Tigers v Lions clash at 4.15pm.

And it led many to take to social media in anger, questioning why they wouldn’t open the gates earlier than just over an hour before the first bounce with ramped-up security measures.

“If security screening times are going to be justifiably longer, the MCG must open the public gates far earlier than 75 minutes before the bounce. Gates should have opened at least 2:30pm, if not 2pm, today to accommodate the extra security measures,” one fan wrote on X.

The lines had cleared by quarter-time but many missed the opening minutes of action, with pictures on X showing a near-empty stadium ahead of Saturday afternoon’s clash.

And fans were not impressed.

“What a joke,” one AFL fan left waiting to enter wrote.

“Absolute knee jerk joke of a reaction,” another added.

Many AFL fans missed the opening bounce, stuck outside the MCG due to ramped-up security measures. Image: X/Mark Stewart

Large crowds outside Gate 2. Increased security and large queues of crowds at the MCG ahead of the match between the Brisbane Lions and Richmond. Picture: Mark Stewart

The increased security measures come on the back of Victoria Police allegedly finding weapons on two men, who were on bail, inside the MCG during a search conducted during the Collingwood-Carlton clash on Thursday.

The pair were arrested at the ground.

MCG boss Fox said the incident was a “breakdown” in screening.

 “Our security screening units identified items of concern and further investigation was required, our initial internal investigation identified a breakdown in the thoroughness of the secondary and manual screening process,” MCC boss Fox said on Friday.

“As a result, we will be increasing the extensiveness of the secondary manual security process and patrons may experience slight delays as they attend upcoming events.”

Originally published as AFL fans fume at MCG ‘joke’ as ramped-up security measures see punters miss first bounce