Extraordinary moment overzealous AFL security guard has to be stopped from running onto the field to break up a fight between PLAYERS
- Brawl broke about between two players at the Blundstone Arena on Sunday
- As they wrestled, a security guard stepped on to the pitch to break them up
- Umpire Nathan Williamson told him to step back and the guard retreated
- The attempt has been mocked amid fan fury over increased security patrols
This is the bizarre moment an AFL security guard had to be stopped from running on to the pitch to stop a fight between players.
A brawl broke about between North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell and Greater Western Sydney's Heath Shaw at the Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Tasmania on Sunday.
As they wrestled on the ground, a security guard stepped on to the pitch to break them up.
A brawl (pictured) broke about between North Melbourne's Jack Ziebell and Greater Western Sydney's Heath Shaw at the Blunderstone Area in Tasmania on Sunday
As they wrestled on the ground, a security guard stepped on to the pitch to break them up
Umpire Nathan Williamson told him to step back, saying: 'Hey, nah it's alright you can't come on here'.
The guard retreated and fight eventually stopped.
The moment was discussed on Fox's football show On The Couch on Monday night amid fan fury over security patrols cracking down at AFL games in recent weeks.
Former player Garry Lyon said the guard's actions were 'beyond the pale'.
'They are supposed behavioural experts, they're not football experts,' he told Fox Footy.
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'That fella has just made the worst decision... That's so laughable that you can't defend it... they are supposed to be trained.'
Former Brisbane Lions star Jonathan Brown added: 'It's unbelievable. I've never seen anything like it before. That is absolutely ridiculous.'
Security at games has come under scrutiny in recent weeks after several fans were removed from matches for comments that were suddenly deemed inappropriate.
A Carlton fan was kicked out of Marvel Stadium for calling an umpire a 'bald-headed flog' and a Richmond supporter was banned for three matches for calling another match official a 'green maggot' - a reference to the colour of his shirt and a historically famous Aussie Rules comment.
Over the weekend Melbourne's Marvel Stadium introduced behavioral awareness officers to watch fans in a move that officials admitted went 'too far'
Over the weekend Melbourne's Marvel Stadium introduced behavioral awareness officers to watch fans in a move that officials admitted went 'too far'.
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has apologised for the heavy-handed response.
'It hurts me that our fans are feeling intimidated at games,' he told the Herald Sun.
'I'm sorry they are feeling intimidated. If people are feeling threatened, we obviously will listen. I'm appalled.
'It hurts me to hear our administration is not looking after our fans.'
Marvel Stadium CEO Michael Green said he would review the security measures.
Footy fans claimed they were being spied on while cheering in the stands at AFL games
