Adelaide ground invader banned from AFL games for life

Dillon said the review of the ban in five years’ time would give those punished a chance to demonstrate their remorse.

“A lifetime ban is a long time. Most of them are young men, potentially under the influence of alcohol when they’ve been doing it. So [the review] gives them an ability, if they can show contrition, that you have a look at it after five years. But there’s no guarantee that they get back in.”

While the league can easily ban individuals from purchasing tickets in their own name, Dillon admitted it was more difficult to prevent banned fans from getting their hands on tickets through other means. But he said security staff had identified banned fans at AFL games in the past, and whenever that had happened those fans had been escorted from the venues.

The Adelaide man appeared to be recording the episode on his mobile phone, as he entered the arena and ran straight into the action as players scrambled for a contested ball.

After an umpire stopped play, the man was grabbed by Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch before breaking free, only to be collared by the Crows’ Ben Keays before security staff pounced on the offender.

“Running onto the ground during a match is not only senseless, but it is unsafe and unlawful,” AFL general counsel Stephen Meade said.

“If you choose to do it, then you will not only be given a significant fine, but you will have deal with local authorities and ultimately lose the privilege of attending AFL matches.”

The man was arrested on the night and bailed to appear in Adelaide Magistrates Court on June 19.

He faces a maximum fine of $5000 for breaching South Australia’s Recreation Grounds Regulations.

The AFL said the man was not a club or AFL member.

Coaches of Adelaide and Geelong blasted the “dangerous” pitch invader, with the Cats’ Chris Scott referencing the infamous 1982 incident when Australian Test cricketer Terry Alderman dislocated a shoulder when tackling a pitch invader in Perth.

And his Adelaide counterpart Matthew Nicks spoke of the danger to the two Crows players, Crouch and Keays, who grabbed the invader.

Loading

Both pitch invaders at the MCG on Monday were intercepted by security staff, one surrendered peacefully, the other kicked a football at the goals before trying to evade the bouncers and being tackled to the ground.

Patrons were advised via the big screen at the time that the fine for entering the arena was more than $11,000.

with AAP

Keep up to date with the best AFL coverage in the country. Sign up for the Real Footy newsletter.