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Costly fallout to grand final pitch invader furore

Andrew Reid
·3-min read
Pictured here, the two AFL grand final pitch invaders are wrapped up by security.
The AFL grand final pitch invaders were slammed by viewers and commentators. Pic: Getty

Two men were slammed for "spoiling" the AFL grand final when they invaded the Gabba pitch during Saturday night's decider between Richmond and Geelong.

Now, the pair looks set to be much lighter in the back pocket after being charged by Queensland Police.

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The men identified themselves on social media as comedy duo ‘Marty and Michael’ shortly after the incident.

The publicity stunt could cost the pair up to $5000 each after authorities confirmed they'd been charged and will have to face Brisbane Magistrates Court in December.

“Two men have been charged with one count each of ‘enter field of play under Major Sports Facilities Act’,” a Queensland Police statement read.

“(They were) also given move on direction.

“They have been served with a notice to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on December 7.”

The grand final pitch invaders are seen here taking ownership for their stunt.
The men took to social media to identify themselves after the incident. Pic: Instagram

Viewers outraged by grand final stunt

The comedy duo were labelled "idiots" and "morons" by angry AFL viewers on social media after bringing the biggest game of the year to a momentary halt during a chaotic first quarter.

After running around for a number of moments they were apprehended and taken away by security.

“What’s happened here behind play? We have got supporters on the ground everywhere,” Brian Taylor said in commentary for Channel 7.

“They play on around them. Now the umpire will hold this up, Matt Stevic with his years of experience.

“Spoiling the outcome here, those two supporters.”

The comedy duo 'Marty and Michael' have an impressive social media following, boasting some 1.2 million fans on Instagram.

According to their website they perform “social experiments, comedy sketches as well as stunts and some really disgusting things.”

With shirts reading ‘Marty and Michael’ on the front, they were no doubt trying to pull off a publicity stunt, similar to other ones seen at major events around the world.

However, their antics fell flat with fans and commentators, who condemned the costly stunt in scathing social media posts.

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