General shot of the MCG during the 2022 AFL Round 1 match between Melbourne and Western Bulldogs (Photo by Cameron Grimes / Zero Digital Media)
Victoria Police have released a statement confirming that more than 50 patrons were evicted from the MCG on Saturday night during Richmond's 32-point win over Essendon.
Reports from the Herald Sun suggested that one incident occurred between two groups of men during the fourth quarter of the match near the Richmond cheer squad, with fans at the ground quick to light up social media with their own reports of unruly behaviour.
Ugly fan behaviour wasn't confined to the stands, with two spectators invading the ground at the three quarter time break. Both were quickly escorted away by security.
Police said that no arrests had been made inside the ground but were investigating an incident that occurred between the MCG and Birrarung Marr after the match in which three men were injured. One was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
AFL Fans Association president Cheryl Critchley condemned the behaviour but stressed that most fans at the ground were doing the right thing.
“Overwhelmingly, fans are really well behaved at games,” Ms Critchley told the Herald Sun.
“Generally speaking if someone does the wrong thing, people around them will take action.
“We condemn any bad behaviour and support that being dealt with in an appropriate way.
“Most fans are well behaved, this sort of incident is thankfully rare.”
The official crowd number at the MCG on Saturday night was 70,226.