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Why outrage over the NRL streaker incident is fundamentally flawed

Andrew Reid
·4-min read
A security guard at Gold Coast's NRL game against Parramatta stopped a streaker with a huge tackle at Cbus Stadium. Pic: AAP
A security guard at Gold Coast's NRL game against Parramatta stopped a streaker with a huge tackle at Cbus Stadium. Pic: AAP

OPINION

The security guard at the centre of the NRL's viral video moment of the weekend is under fire for what many have described as a "heavy-handed" approach to dealing with a streaker.

The topless female spectator was taken down in a huge tackle by the security guard after running onto the field during the Titans' clash with the Parramatta Eels at Cbus Stadium on Saturday night.

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Rather than condemn the pitch invader for an act that is banned and widely frowned upon, much of the outcry has centred around the security guard who was just trying to do his job.

Streakers run onto the field during sporting events fully aware that they do so at the risk of incurring hefty fines and bans from attending matches.

You do the wrong thing, you risk the consequences of those actions: it's one of the most fundamental principles in life.

Maybe it's time for pitch invaders to be warned that if you enter the field of play during a game, you risk being poleaxed by a security guard.

The Titans have confirmed they are looking into the incident, with club chairman Dennis Watt saying the tackle put the woman at serious risk of injury.

“There needs to be a review of what happened,” Watt told News Corp.

“From where I was sitting it did seem heavy-handed. It could have been handled better.

“You heard this collective intake of breath around the ground.

“It did seem over the top and it put the intruder at real physical risk.

Seen here, a pitch invader is taken down in a huge hit from a security guard on the Gold Coast.
The pitch invader was taken down in a huge hit from the security guard. Image: Getty

Former Eels player Eric Groth Jr was among the many to condemn the security guard.

“I reckon this bloke didn’t have to do this,” Groth wrote on Twitter.

“He’ll claim ‘It could’ve been a terrorist threat’ but deep down I reckon he wanted the attention that comes with whacking a streaker on national TV," Groth wrote on Twitter.

“She could’ve been disarmed with less force. Her fault, but way too hard.”

One glimpse at the images of the woman being escorted off the field by security, paints a very different reality to those sentiments.

Pictured here, the pitch invader is clearly happy after being escorted from the field by security guards.
The pitch invader was clearly happy about her 15 seconds of fame after being escorted from the field by security guards. Pic: Getty

Gold Coast streaker incident raises questions

The pitch invader can be seen with a huge smiling beaming across her face as she is marched out of the stadium by two security officers on either side.

Job done, 15 seconds of fame achieved. Absolutely no discernible injuries or even minor hints of pain to be seen.

So why the outrage over this incident when Matildas captain Sam Kerr achieved 'legend' status for decking a pitch invader during a game for Chelsea in the Women's Champions League at the end of last year?

Warning: the following clip contains offensive language

Kerr's iconic takedown of the pitch invader brought back memories of Aussie cricket great Andrew Symonds poleaxing a streaker in 2008, cementing her place alongside the cricketer in Aussie sporting folklore.

It brings us back to the question as to why the security guard at the Titans game is being demonised for essentially doing the same - in performing his duty.

The general aim of the pitch invader is to try and evade officials for as long as they can before being caught.

Pictured left, Sam Kerr decks a pitch invader during a game for Chelsea in December, 2021.
Sam Kerr's huge shoulder charge on a pitch invader in December, 2021 was celebrated around the world. Pic: Twitter/Getty

Sometimes in the desperate attempts of security officials to round up offenders, things can end dramatically like they did on Saturday night.

Let's not forget the fact that the Gold Coast streaker was the one fundamentally in the wrong.

Painting her out to be some kind of victim is deeply flawed.

The woman in question summed up the incident perfectly by declaring that she "got what she deserved" for illegally entering the field of play.

The pitch invader, who spoke to Tripe M Cairns on Monday morning, also defended the actions of the security guard who tackled her.

“The tackle was honestly fine. It was more so just how much air I got. That made it look so much worse. But he could have grabbed me and I would have fallen over,” she said.

“I think it’s fair play. I got what I deserved. He should keep his job.”

It's high time footy fans are put on notice for good: If you decide to run onto the field during a game, you run the risk of being crunched by a security guard.

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