Grand Final act could get Sam Newman banned from MCG

Sam Newman is staring down the barrel of being banned from entering the MCG over one act that played out on grand final day.

Sam Newman could be facing a suspension from the MCG over one act from grand final day.

The former Footy Show star didn’t attend the game as the Brisbane Lions ran riot over the Sydney Swans.

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While he wasn’t sitting in the stands, Newman, 78, revealed he had given away his ticket to the grand final at the MCG to a friend of his son.

Unbeknown to Newman this wasn’t allowed by MCG rules and the friend in question was stopped upon trying to enter the ground as he wasn’t Sam Newman.

“My son said ‘have you got any tickets?’ I said ‘No, but I get a ticket from the MCG because I am a member’,” Newman explained on his You Cannot Be Serious podcast.

Newman wasn’t in attendance at the grand final. Picture: David Crosling

“I said ‘why don’t you get one from the MCG’?

“So he applied and got one and he had a friend in Perth who he gave the ticket to.

“Then he called me on the day and said his friend couldn’t get in because ‘they said he was trying to impersonate you’ (Newman) and ‘that the other bit of bad news is you have been suspended from going to next year’s grand final because you have tried to sneak someone in on your ticket’.

“I had no intention of trying to sneak anyone in. I just thought if I get issued a ticket I can give it to someone.

“Ignorance is bliss. I don’t care if they ban me from every Grand Final because while they go on with that pompous, arrogant, nonsense beforehand (the Welcome to Country), I just won’t go.”

He could be facing a potential suspension. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

In a statement provided to the Herald Sun, the MCC noted all members were advised of the restrictions around tickets for the grand final well ahead of the game.

“The Melbourne Cricket Club does not make comment in relation to disciplinary matters and all members must adhere to the Club’s Code of Conduct,” a spokesperson said.

“Eligible members of the Melbourne Cricket Club were able to access the 2024 AFL Grand Final subject to membership restrictions which were communicated to members in advance of the event.”

Newman will now wait to see what, if any, punishment will be handed down which could range from a membership suspension or restrictions between six months and two years.

Despite facing a potential ban, the 300-game former AFL player isn’t too fussed by whatever the punishment may be.

“I couldn’t care less if they suspend me or not,” Newman said to the Herald Sun.

Former Geelong footballer and identity Sam Newman is seen during the Code War Boxing night at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne, Friday, November 15, 2019. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

While he isn’t concerned over his MCC ticketing status, Newman did take issue with the recent grand final as he unleashed a fiery rant the day after the contest.

Brisbane were crowned premiers after a 60-point thrashing of the Swans, who have now lost their past four grand finals by a combined total of 226 points.

The Swans completely capitulated late in the second quarter and there was no sign of any fight in the second half where the Lions led by as many as 73 points.

It was all too much for Newman to stomach.

The Swans were blown off the MCG. Photo by Phil Hillyard

“If anyone ever says, ‘You experience the hurt of losing — either in life or in sport — and that will stand you in good stead’ — it is the most overrated, ridiculous comment,” the former Geelong player said in a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“I’ve watched the Swans. I tipped the Swans today. I watched the Swans get belted by Geelong in 2022. They didn’t try. And today they came down to the MCG. Took the oxygen out of the city. Both sided, because no Melbourne sides were playing. And we thought wow, here we go. And once again they refused to try.

“They are a disgrace. They should be censured by the AFL for taking the piss out of this competition”.

Newman wasn’t alone in calling out the paltry display with former Swans great Jude Bolton also tearing the club apart.

Originally published as Grand Final act could get Sam Newman banned from MCG