CATTERY BOOZEBAN?
THE flow of alcohol could dry up at Cats games, Kardinia Park Stadium Trust boss Michael Brown has warned after an ugly brawl at the ground on Saturday night.
THE flow of alcohol could dry up at Cats games unless “idiots” stop spoiling footy for families as Kardinia Park Stadium Trust boss Michael Brown vows to get on the front foot to tackle violence.
A post-match brawl between Geelong and Melbourne fans stole the headlines of what should have been a Saturday night remembered for a stirring comeback win.
It was one of three incidents at GMHBA Stadium, as police also investigate an alleged assault at three-quarter time. It follows a man being glassed in the face in front of children at the Stella Artois Lounge in May and another melee, also on the Gary Ablett Terrace, when the Cats hosted Richmond in August 2017.
Mr Brown was furious a “bunch of idiots” had spoiled a great occasion and said unless the violence stopped, they may have no choice but to one day stop alcohol sales.
“All you can do is make it more and more difficult for people to get access to things like alcohol, because it appears … night time footy and alcohol don’t mix,” Mr Brown said.
“We’ve got to be proactive, we’ve got to be on the front foot and people aren’t going to be happy if you say to them you can’t have a drink at the footy. It’s as traditional as eating a meat pie. But if this behaviour isn’t going to be contained by the processes we’ve got, we’re going to have no other choice.”
There are three bars housed near the Gary Ablett Stand terraces and patrons are restricted to four beers per purchase, but the Trust has the right to reduce this to two.
Mr Brown said segregating crowds into fan areas would be a last resort, but it would be discussed in a wide-ranging review of security procedures including alcohol limits, better surveillance and more evictions.
“When this happens, it’s a blight on the game, a blight on the stadium and it’s a blight on Geelong and I don’t like that at all,” he said.
Footy fans have called for life bans for the perpetrators, just as Etihad Stadium man- agement did for one man following a brawl in May.
Drew Patchell, who shared video of the fight to Twitter, said a beer was thrown at him before the violence broke out and called for better security processes to manage unruly fans.
“Hopefully (the video) will make an impact at AFL House to act and increase security; was one guard for five whole minutes not good enough. Regularly been assaulted by opposition supporters be it spat on or had items thrown at me,” Mr Patchell said.
Victoria Police spokesman Luke Zammit said police responded to two incidents at the Cats game on Saturday.
“During the game one person was evicted at three-quarter-time and police are investigating one allegation of assault,” he said.
“Police are aware of an altercation between spectators at the end of the game.”
In a statement, Geelong Football Club said violence had no place at the footy and committed to working with the authorities to review the incident.
“Once this has been completed we will be able to determine if any action will be required by the club,” the statement said.
AFL Fans Association president Gerry Eeman said he did not believe visiting fans particularly feared coming to Geelong, calling for security guards to be better equipped to deal with incidents.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au