AFL season opener marred by fan's sickening KO punch
A post-siren AFL brawl at the MCG season opener will likely spark a ban for those involved.
A 19-year-old man was arrested at the ground on Thursday night following Richmond’s victory over Carlton, police confirmed on Friday.
Footage of the brawl shows at least six men, one wearing a Tigers guernsey, throwing punches among sideline seating.
AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, who was made aware of the vision on Friday morning, labelled the incident “unacceptable” and a “disgrace” while flagging the league’s intention to take action.
“We have the power to issue banning notices,” he told 3AW radio.
“From what I’ve seen, it’ll be hard to see how we would want that person that I saw in a Richmond jumper, and maybe there are others, coming to the football for a period of time.”
This is the incident that took place on the final siren during last night's season opener at the MCG.
Details on @AFLcomau shortly. pic.twitter.com/QrrgPc6Ut4— Mitch Cleary (@cleary_mitch) March 21, 2019
Worrying trend
The incident comes after a spate of altercations at AFL matches last season.
McLachlan has contacted Richmond CEO Brendan Gale and said the AFL will work with the Tigers to identify the Tigers fan.
With no security in sight to quell the violence, McLachlan also reached out to MCC CEO Stuart Fox for answers.
McLachlan was told security were preoccupied assisting the 85,016-strong crowd leave the stadium.
An Eltham man was fined $322 for riotous behaviour.