NIGHT OF VIOLENCE AT CATTERY
CHILDREN were left screaming and crying after witnessing a man being glassed in the face at the Stella Artois Lounge at GMHBA Stadium during the game between Geelong and Carlton on Saturday.
Fans ran away from the commotion as blood covered the floor.
It was one of a number of violent clashes at the game.
A car was attacked by unruly fans after the game. Punches and kicks were reportedly thrown at the car during the attack.
The witness who reported the incident said it happened in a carpark outside the stadium as fans were streaming out.
The man, who asked not to be identified, described it as “ugly” and said it appeared to be fuelled by a combination of road rage and drunken spectators.
“Grown men banging and punching top of a car,” he wrote online. “One kicking the driver’s side door panel. Onlookers stopped to watch heading up Moorabool St.”
The man told the Geelong Advertiser there were no police nearby when the attack happened.
“Obviously it was a roadrage type incident fuelled by football supporters leaving the venue,” he said.
“Not a good public look and not a police officer to be seen; and usually they’re close by. It’s more a societal issue but it’s starting to creep into stadiums across all (sporting) codes.”
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said she was unaware of the incident and it was unclear whether it had been reported to police.
The fan who witnessed the melee said it appeared it was not the only violence at Saturday’s match, which attracted more than 31,000 spectators.
“Others walking with me said there were a few scuffles inside Kardinia Park as well,” he wrote.
“Booze (is) always a major factor. Time for police to do their job properly at the footy. “It will get uglier. Sick of it.” The Geelong Football Club did not respond to a request for comment before deadline.
The fracas is the latest in a series of violent incidents at AFL matches
Meanwhile, VicRoads has come under fire for scheduling roadworks on the Princes Freeway near Point Cook on Saturday night. Fans travelling back to Melbourne after the Geelong-Carlton clash were delayed by up to 30 minutes as crews repaired an overhead sign.