Demons respond to ‘heated’ nightclub incident report

Demons and Bulldogs stars reportedly traded insults in a “heated” nightclub incident in Perth. Melbourne’s boss has addressed the claim.

The Demons celebrate after the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Demons chief executive Gary Pert has confirmed there was an incident involving his players and rival Western Bulldogs players at a Perth nightclub following the team’s Grand Final victory — but insists the reports are a “beat up”.

It was claimed this week the two playing groups almost came to blows at a Perth nightclub just days after the Demons thumped the Bulldogs by 74 points to win the club’s first premiership since 1964.

Speaking on his new podcast with triple premiership Lion Jonathan Brown and Dean Thomas, premiership Hawk Campbell Brown said there was tension between the two clubs – both on and off the field – before, during and after the Grand Final.

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He also told the podcast a taunt from the Demons nearly resulted in the heated situation becoming physical.

Melbourne chief Gary Pert has now said the incident was blown out of proportion by recent reports.

The sweetest feeling. Photo by James Worsfold/AFL Photos/Getty Images.

“From all my reports it’s absolutely blown out of all proportion,” Pert said in response during an interview on 3AW’s Sportsday.

“Like all these things, you don’t like tipping water on them because these are the stories that just keep on growing as the days go on.”

Brown claimed the angst between the clubs stemmed from their heated Round 19 clash at the MCG, in which the Bulldogs won by 20 points, foxsports.com.au reports.

He said some Dogs players “absolutely gave it to some players from Melbourne” post-game after it became “heated and a bit personal” during the match.

But Brown said what really sparked the tension was when Demons players linked arms and sang ‘Freed from Desire’ – the same song Bulldogs players were seen dancing to after their preliminary final win over Port Adelaide – in the middle of Optus Stadium following their premiership triumph. Brown claimed the Dees did it to “stick it up them (the Dogs)”.

A few days after the game, the two teams arrived at the same Perth nightspot, according to Brown, who claimed things threatened to boil over.

“On the Monday night or Tuesday night after they’d celebrated for a few days, the Doggies players had gone to this nightclub. There was three levels to this nightclub: The ground floor was for the public, they (the Dogs) had booked Level 2 and Level 3 was not open,” Brown told Browny’s Podcast.

“The Melbourne boys had had a few and they decided ‘we’re feeling OK’ … so the boys gather the troops and go to this club … Management say: ‘It’s great to have you guys here and we’ll accommodate you, but the Dogs have got Level 2, so you’re going to have to just meander here with the GA (general admission).’

“So one of the players took some initiative … took some cash out, a big lot of cash like $10,000, and went up to management and said: ‘Mate, here’s 10K, you open the top level.’ Security escort them straight up.

“Now they’re at this club, Level 3, the Doggies are on Level 2 – remember they hate each other – they’re hanging over the rails and giving it to the Doggies boys. It’s getting real heated, real personal.

“It didn’t come to blows because a player from Melbourne and a player from the Western Bulldogs that are best mates and used to live together … they met halfway between Level 2 and Level 3 – safe ground – and negotiated a peace treaty … Saved these two clubs coming to blows.

“That’s my mail on the ground in Perth and it’s factually correct.”

Brown’s anecdote comes days after Melbourne declared it wanted to open its 2022 season with a Grand Final rematch against the Bulldogs at the MCG and unveil its premiership flag in front of its home fans.

“I’m looking forward to Round 1 next year … Melbourne, Doggie, Round 1 – rivalry born,” Brown said.

— with foxsports.com.au

Originally published as Demons respond to ‘heated’ nightclub incident report