'People were knocked out': Violent fan fights spoil MCG thriller
Unruly fans have struck the AFL again after multiple fights broke out following Collingwood's come-from-behind win over Carlton at the MCG on Saturday.
The Pies kicked five goals in the final 12 minutes to avoid a shocking defeat against their old rivals in front of 69,289 fans.
The tense fourth quarter, which saw the Blues hit the front before collapsing against last year's grand finalists, prompted frustrations to boil over in the stands.
Victoria Police said one man suffered minor injuries after police and security stepped in to break up multiple fights.
The injured man did not wish to make a statement, but officers spoke to the alleged offender before releasing him pending further enquiries.
Violence has again erupted between fans at an AFL match #7News pic.twitter.com/LnwPwalInw
— 7NEWS Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) May 11, 2019
Police officers have swooped on a man at the MCG, after separate brawls broke out among fans late in this afternoon's match. #9News pic.twitter.com/GD3ft4VnGL
— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) May 11, 2019
Melbourne's 3AW radio station was inundated with phone calls from fans about the violent scenes.
One caller said brawls broke out in a Carlton members' area on level one, where some Collingwood supporters had also sat for the game.
“There were four fights, four full-on, punch-on fights where people were knocked out,” a woman named Robin said.
“Security just didn’t react quick enough so the members of the public had to get in, including me, to stop these fights. I haven’t seen it for many years."
Multiple fans corroborated the caller's version of events:
In the last quarter pies fan in our reserved seat bay M12 - fight breaks out.... security🦗🦗🦗 people actually had to go find them & get them down...
— 💧Kylie Mumby (@kylsm5) May 11, 2019
Crowd actually had to go and find security!!!!!!
— 💧Kylie Mumby (@kylsm5) May 11, 2019
Was sitting in front of it, took a good few minutes and a lot of punches thrown before anyone got there to stop it.
— Lekdog (@LekDogSC) May 11, 2019
Robin said the Pies taking the lead was enough to kick it all off.
“It just went overboard. The reaction, I haven't seen something so physical and so violent for many, many years," she added.
"I missed the last five minutes of the game because I was breaking up fights. I'm in 50s so it wasn't a pleasant thing to see."
Robin, who called 3AW from the MCG, said police were taking photos and statements on the fights, each reportedly involving multiple Carlton and Collingwood supporters.
The Blues cheer squad's Twitter account also shared their disappointment with other fans around their bay:
@MCG @AFL another week another game full of drunken abuse being hurled at our Cheersquad from opposition supporters. Security & ground staff have been asked many years in a row to help provide us with a safe place to watch the footy & yet again our complaints fall on deaf ears.
— Carlton Cheersquad (@CFCCheersquad) May 11, 2019
Happens every week. Our home game yet we're always surrounded at MCG by opposition fans in general admission seats. If they're not members - they're only there to get on the sauce. Asking for trouble.
MCG security could help situation but simply refuse to do so.— Carlton Cheersquad (@CFCCheersquad) May 11, 2019
The MCG denied security was slow to react to the brawls.
“We are comfortable with our security's response along with that of police,” a spokesman said.
"Our security and police deal with these incidents as they occurred. If police charge someone, we will fully cooperate."
Carlton almost pull off famous win
The lead changed 13 times as the Blues, led magnificently by Patrick Cripps, traded blows with the premiership pacesetters.
"We went toe to toe with a heavyweight club that's going pretty well at the moment," shattered Carlton coach Brendon Bolton said.
"I just think the pressure of their midfield got on top. There was just too many entries and then we made some mistakes on the way out."
with AAP