Police to tackle AFL thugs

POLICE will crack down on drunken behaviour at AFL games in a bid to curb alcoholfuelled violence.

Victoria Police will meet with venue chiefs at Etihad Stadium this week amid wideranging calls for more to be done to keep fans safe.

Lifetime bans, stopping ``pre-loaded drunks’’ before entering venues, extending booze free seating bays, separating booze-fuelled supporters from families and the strength of alcohol served are among options to be considered.

It follows four separate violent clashes at AFL games between drunk thugs in a week.

A bloody brawl at Etihad Stadium on Friday night between nine patrons erupted Medallion Club with three being injured. Police have charged one man and the hunt continues for several more.

Victoria Police Superintendent Peter O’Neill said authorities would review where they had officers placed at stadiums to allow trouble makers to be quickly identified and dealt with.

He said many were coming into games after “preloading” at pubs and bars.

“It looks terrible,” Supt O’Neill said. “These people are old enough to know better.”

Geelong’s Billy Brownless said it was sickening.

“All you have to do is look at the impact on the friends and families of a victim of a coward punch to understand just how devastating this kind of violence can be. It has to stop,’’ Brownless said.

“If you transgress, you cop the full weight of the law, bang, arrested and into the clink.”