The AFL wants to ban any fans who threw bottles at the preliminary final umpires at the MCG for a minimum of five years.
Brisbane’s all-time victory over Hawthorn progressing the Lions to the grand final was followed by ugly scenes on Saturday with the umpires targeted as they walked off the ground.
On Sunday afternoon, Victoria Police gave an update saying 10 people were evicted from the game and issued with penalty notices.
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A 40-year-old man from Croydon was detained by security after throwing a bottle and will have to pay the $418 penalty notice.
“No injuries were reported after items were thrown towards the umpires while on the ground and as they left the field. Police continue to make enquiries along with our key stakeholders, in relation to the incident,” a police statement said.
Police are also investigating the assault of two men as they went to leave the venue shortly after the game ended, while a man also has his head allegedly struck on a wall following a verbal disagreement.
The AFL said they are working with police to identify the bottle throwers.
“If identified they will be banned from games and the stadium for a minimum five years,” the AFL said.
“The passion for footy is unmatched in Australian sport, however what transpired last night by a number of individuals was dangerous and crossed the line.”
Angry Hawthorn fans hurled abuse and bottles at umpires after the Hawks were denied a spot in the grand final by a free kick in the during stages of the preliminary final.
The Hawks were clinging onto a three-point lead in the final minute with the ball deep in the Brisbane’s forward line.
The ball ended up Jarman Impey’s hands as he was tackled immediately by Hugh McCluggage. Impey had one arm free but made no attempt to dispose of the ball and the umpire penalised him for holding the ball.
McCluggage went back and slotted the go-ahead goal before the Lions added another after the siren to win by nine points in what was quickly anointed the greatest preliminary final ever.
Hawthorn players could be seen speaking to the umpires in the aftermath of the chaotic finish.
And angry Hawthorn fans were left irate at the decision as boos rained down while the umpires were quickly escorted off the field.
In ugly scenes, the umpires were met with a barrage of bottles and cups as they disappeared down the race.
One umpire even stopped to point out a person in the crowd to security.
“We have just witnessed one of the most controversial moments in football history unfold before our very eyes,” 7NEWS reporter Xander McGuire said.
“The Hawthorn fans have absolutely revolted at ground level.
“It is pandemonium all over the ground. Beer cups, cans, water bottles, even items of clothing thrown onto the ground in complete fits of rage at the umpires and an absolutely raucous boo echoing around the ground as the umps were immediately escorted off the ground.”
Hawthorn great Luke Hodge immediately condemned the actions of the fans.
“This isn’t great. Umpires walking off, they should not have things thrown at them,” he said.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell was asked about the incident post-match and said it’s hard to control emotions at the end of a game like that, but added throwing stuff shouldn’t happen.
“When you’re in the stands you need to be continuing to feel that emotion, because that’s why we love it. But how it manifests itself — we shouldn’t be throwing things on the field and doing those types of things,” he said.
“But the passion in the stands and the passion of the game is why we love it so much. I hope that for the vast majority it was felt responsibly.”
‘Terrible way to have the game decided’
While the decision was controversial given it came in the final minute of the match, it was clearly the correct call.
“A technical free kick, an accurate free kick, but it was there. You feel for Jarman Impey,” Kane Cornes said on Seven.
Hodge added: “It’s a free kick. You’ve got one arm free. He was trying to lock it in and the umpire had a clear view. It was so smart by McCluggage, a lot of people would have taken him to ground but he held him up. Correct call.”
Hamish McLachlan also agreed: “Terrible way to have the game decided but it’s the right call.”
Former umpire Ray Chamberlain backed the “courageous” call.
“He gets possession, the ball is not pinned, there’s an arm free, he’s got to make an attempt to get rid of it. The rule is reasonable time. He gave him a week in the context of this game. Umpires have also got to demonstrate courage. That’s what he’s paid to do, and he delivered,” he said on ABC Sport.
But Hawthorn defender Tom Barrass didn’t mince his words post-match.
“I don’t think anyone is going to be sleeping well tonight after how that last goal went down,” Barrass said.
“I suppose when you get handballed the ball and you’re already being tackled, there’s not really a whole lot you can do. That’s the way the cookie crumbles and unfortunately we were on the wrong side of it tonight.”
