AFL keen to stop fans running on field

[Hawkers Hero]

http://news.realfooty.com.au/sport/afl-keen-to-stop-fans-running-on-field-20080811-3tjt.html

The AFL is poised to stamp out one of the game's traditions, with plans afoot to prevent crowd invasions if two superstar forwards post their goal-kicking centuries this season.

With Hawthorn's Lance Franklin (91 goals) and Carlton's Brendan Fevola (84) closing in on tons, talks have begun on what venues should do to prepare for fans keen to jump the fence and celebrate with players.
The AFL on Monday made it clear it wanted the celebration to stop, in the interest of player safety.

A spokesman said the league did not want fans to run on to the ground should Franklin and Fevola reach three figures, and warned that spectators could be fined or even ejected.

"We want to discourage this and warn that there is the potential to be fined or ejected from the ground, in the interest of player security and the security of other patrons," he said.

Fans who run on to the MCG can be fined $5,000.
On form, Franklin is a chance to post his century at the MCG on Sunday, against 12th-placed Richmond.

Franklin kicked 1.7 the last time the two sides met, but is averaging nine shots at goal a game, and has twice previously kicked hauls of nine at the MCG.

AFL and Melbourne Cricket Club officials met on Monday to discuss the issue, and are set to talk again later this week.

The Hawks have already had talks with the league on how they handle the milestone celebrations.

Hawthorn will consider getting security personnel to usher Franklin off the ground when he kicks his 100th goal, to ensure he is not mobbed and put at risk by fans.

Essendon star Matthew Lloyd was whisked from the MCG in 2000 and 2001 after kicking his 100th goal of each season - both in finals - and St Kilda followed suit in 2004 at AAMI Stadium when Fraser Gehrig bagged his ton.

Former Essendon football manager Matthew Drain on Monday recalled in the lead-up to those games the Bombers asked their players to be ready to gather around Lloyd to ensure safety.

Drain said although there were no problems on either occasion, clubs now would be wary about excited spectators getting too close to players.

"Back then you wouldn't have thought too much about safety, but things have changed since then and you have to think about it differently," he said.

"It only takes one fool to do the wrong thing."

If Franklin does not post his century this weekend, he could do so against West Coast at Subiaco Oval in round 21.

Subiaco Oval general manager Shane Walsh said the ground's management would await directions from the AFL, but expected the league to want to prevent fans running on to the ground.

Carlton play North Melbourne at Telstra Dome on Sunday, but Fevola would be a better chance of registering his century against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba (round 21) or against the Hawks at the Dome (round 22).

Spokesmen for the Gabba and Telstra Dome said the management of both venues would discuss security arrangements with the AFL in the lead-up to those games, should they need to.

The AFL spokesman said the league would not divulge what sort of security arrangements it would put in place.

Gehrig was the last player to kick a century in a season, but Tony Lockett was the last player to do so in the home and away season, for Sydney in 1998.

Hawthorn's Chance Bateman tipped Franklin would need all three games to reach the milestone.

"It would be a pretty bold man to predict him kicking nine goals this weekend," Bateman said.

"I would like to see him get to the 100 and I think it will definitely take the next three games for him to get there."

Good luck with that Vlad

 

[11sjw]

BF will get his 100 at Subi. No one runs on the ground there.

As for Fev 16 goals in 3 weeks is going to be tight.

 

[bigdroppunt]

Geez that blows........ Let them do it... its not like it happens every year...And i also think Buddy would love it...He seems to feed off the fans.

 

[mollyfud]

Carlton play North Melbourne at Telstra Dome on Sunday, but Fevola would be a better chance of registering his century against the Brisbane Lions at the Gabba (round 21) or against the Hawks at the Dome (round 22).

I can't believe the jurno is righting off Fev's chance of kicking almost the record score against North this weekend!!!

But seriously, the AFL is in a no win situation on this one. If they do too much they, people will complain about police state, etc, etc. If they do too little and something happens, there will be law suites a plenty!

 

[Lemon Lime]

Can they fine 10,000 people?

 

[stevothedevo]

I know we're all gonna jump up and down about it but surely it was expected. When they bought the issue up on 'Footy Classified' last night my initial reaction was "no sh!t they're gonna stop people coming onto the ground"
Persoanally I'd like to see people run onto the ground but can't see it happening in 2008 or beyond.



"Back then (2000, 2001) you wouldn't have thought too much about safety, but things have changed since then and you have to think about it differently," Former Essendon football manager Matthew Drain said.

I found this quote interesting cause I remember in 2000 when everyone was quite passive & kind, but these days they just want to KILL EVERYONE AND THE BEST PLACE TO DO IT IS ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD WHEN SOMEONE KICKS 100 GOALS. OOHHH YES WE LIKE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION SO MUCH NOW.
Please God, take me back to 2000 where the nice good people live.

 

[Hodgepodge]

If it wasn't Lance Franklin it would be ok, but lots of people will want to take a shot at him.

 

[Memories]

What sort of person is going to kinghit an opposition player? Then how is that person going to guarantee his spot around the player he wants to hit? This is like a reaction to terrorism post 9/11, "OH MY GOD WE MAY DIE IF WE LEAVE THE F'ING HOUSE".

A football player can get decked any time he is out on the town and they mostly don't, yet it's going to change during a game when Buddy kicks his ton and everyone is happy? If some guy kinghit buddy or another hawks player the mob would turn on him in an instant.

 

[-CG-]

They said the same before Gherig kicked his 100th. I was at that game and noticed more security around the boundary line, but there were still plenty of areas where people could freely jump the fence. Then once they did, the security moved into the ground and near the players so it was pretty easy to get on.

 

[MC Bad Genius]

Can they fine 10,000 people?

nope. when plugger kicked his 1300th there were heaps and heaps of security guards and warnings about not running on the field .... but as if that was going to put off anyone.

i don't care what the AFL think, people will storm the field when buddy (and hopefully when fev) kick their 100th!

 

[Cynic]

It's also the legal ramifications they're afraid on.

If someone gets trampled to death then what? You think the relatives aren't going to come baying for blood? You think it won't tarnish the sport?

 

[Memories]

One thing that is interesting, will Buddy be on his 99th and nervous about what kicking the goal will mean? Would be pretty funny if he misses like 6 shots on his 99th.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

They'll fine as many people as they can so wear the long studs boys, you'll want to keep your feet or you'll get some heffer of a security guard's knees in your back.

It would be a great footy story if they both did it in the same match!

I think if Buddy gets the ton early in a game he will DOMINATE for the rest of the day.

Hope Fev can make it too, but he'll struggle unless he kicks a whopper this week - he wouldn't want to only kick 4 goals again.

 

[Doctor Jolly]

This is crazy. What exactly has happened to the Australian population since 2003 to suddenly make them thugs who want to punch players ??

For 150 years' we've celebrated 100 goals and no one has got hurt. Thats enough statistical evidence to suggest kids running on the field to celebrate 100 goals is "safe" enough.

 

[Memories]

It's also the legal ramifications they're afraid on.

If someone gets trampled to death then what? You think the relatives aren't going to come baying for blood? You think it won't tarnish the sport?

Haha cry us a river. Driving a car is dangerous yet millions of Australians take that risk every day. If you're afraid of getting trampled to death don't jump the fence if you're a granny. Jesus christ the amount of people frightened by their own shadow just grows every day doesn't it.

 

[Doctor Jolly]

It's also the legal ramifications they're afraid on.

If someone gets trampled to death then what? You think the relatives aren't going to come baying for blood? You think it won't tarnish the sport?

People need to take their own responsibility. If a kid runs out and gets "trampled to death" (please ), then you'd have to question the parents more than the AFL for letting them do it.

What next, are we going to stop the running of the bulls in spain ?

 

[Memories]

People need to take their own responsibility. If a kid runs out and gets "trampled to death" (please ), then you'd have to question the parents more than the AFL for letting them do it.

What next, are we going to stop the running of the bulls in spain ?

How about we make everyone wear helmuts when they leave their house? I'm sure that would save a few lives and what is the cost? A mere weight on your head that is unattractive. But think about the lives saved!!!!!

I am joking about this, but there probably will be some law like this passed within the next 10 years when the frightened people get into power.

 

[toddy104]

I will be running on if I get to the game.

 

[Bombers_Forever]

Isn't this the same story from Gehrig in 2004? De ja vu anyone?

Unless they have security around the entire outer standing shoulder to shouler (in other words hundreds of them), they can't stop it. I would love to see them arrest a couple of thousand people.

Fair enough, have the security around the players but let the fans onto the field.

If anyone is worried about getting hurt, they should drive/get on public transport to go to school or work.

 

[Leather Poisoning]

It's also the legal ramifications they're afraid on.

If someone gets trampled to death then what? You think the relatives aren't going to come baying for blood? You think it won't tarnish the sport?

There's no way they'd be able to commit trespass and then lay charges of public liability. I don't think it's the legal side of things.

I think you have a point about the image of the sport - if some kid gets crunched and it's all over the papers then that's not good for the image of the sport.

But yeah, you jump the fence you take your chances

 

[Harry Yorkie]

Will be a non-issue.
Buddy will get his 100th in Perth, where they won't run onto the ground and Fev won't reach a 100.

 

[raff23]

AFL football is officially dead now that you can't run onto the ground to celebrate a player kicking his 100th goal, it's been a tradition for 100 years and i am flabbergasted that these morons seem to think that players might get hurt and people trampled, FFS this has never happened and never will, people run onto the ground to kick the footy or to try and reach the player to congratulate him. I don't care what fine i get im running onto the bloody ground to celebrate a great player reaching a significant milestone, one which these days seemed impossible.

 

[the egg]

Can't wait to see it! Is there anything else the AFL want to cut out of the game? Doubt anyone would be stupid enough to run on and assualt a player aswell as Gary Lyon said last night....the amount of cameras there are these days would surely detour a person from doing such a thing.

I wonder how Buddy will react...will he be shielded by his team mates or wuill he prance around and celebrate it with his fans?

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Why do these idiots think they have the right to disrupt a football match just because someome kicks 100 goals? The 100th goal is no more or less important than the previous 99, so what's the big deal?

When Gehrig kicked his 100th goal, St.Kilda had all the momentum in a final against Port Adelaide and looking good. Then the 100th goal was kicked, and the idiots came running. When they finally cleared the morons from the arena, Port Adelaide re-grouped and won the game. It cost St.Kilda a realistic shot at the flag.

Back in 1996, I was at the MCG when Dunstall booted his 100th late in the last quarter in a thriller against Melbourne (round 22). Not a very important game, Hawthorn just needed to win to make the finals, that's all. Not as important as idiots getting their jollies by disrupting the game and breaking Hawthorn's run.

He booted his 100th goal, and the brain dead swarmed onto the ground. It took them the best part of 10 minutes to clear the ground. However, as if idiots swarming onto the ground wasn't enough, there were people who took their footies onto the ground and were having kicks. And when it was suggested to them they leave the ground, they just kept kicking the footy!!! I've never witnessed such lunacy ... not even from football fans.

The football public seem to be able to observe the fact they are NOT permitted to enter the arena during the match, or until after the sirens sound at the end of the day. So why then can't they just stay off the gound when a 100th goal is kicked? It just doesn't make sense.

Why don't we all run on if a player kicks 10 for the match, or if he kicks his 500th career goal? Why don't we run on if a player has his 400th kick for the season, or if someone takes a spectacular mark? Because it would be silly that's way. So why then do we have to run onto the ground because a player kicks his 100th goal for the season. Simple answer .. we don't.

And if you feel you must charge onto the ground like a demented foot soldier, then try to consider how you would feel if you were on the ground and a thousand idiots came charging towards you. It's a dangerous practice. Don't do it.

 

[Memories]

Why do these idiots think they have the right to disrupt a football match just because someome kicks 100 goals? The 100th goal is no more or less important than the previous 99, so what's the big deal?

When Gehrig kicked his 100th goal, St.Kilda had all the momentum in a final against Port Adelaide and looking good. Then the 100th goal was kicked, and the idiots came running. When they finally cleared the morons from the arena, Port Adelaide re-grouped and won the game. It cost St.Kilda a realistic shot at the flag.

Back in 1996, I was at the MCG when Dunstall booted his 100th late in the last quarter in a thriller against Melbourne (round 22). Not a very important game, Hawthorn just needed to win to make the finals, that's all. Not as important as idiots getting their jollies by disrupting the game and breaking Hawthorn's run.

He booted his 100th goal, and the brain dead swarmed onto the ground. It took them the best part of 10 minutes to clear the ground. However, as if idiots swarming onto the ground wasn't enough, there were people who took their footies onto the ground and were having kicks. And when it was suggested to them they leave the ground, they just kept kicking the footy!!! I've never witnessed such lunacy ... not even from football fans.

The football public seem to be able to observe the fact they are NOT permitted to enter the arena during the match, or until after the sirens sound at the end of the day. So why then can't they just stay off the gound when a 100th goal is kicked? It just doesn't make sense.

Why don't we all run on if a player kicks 10 for the match, or if he kicks his 500th career goal? Why don't we run on if a player has his 400th kick for the season, or if someone takes a spectacular mark? Because it would be silly that's way. So why then do we have to run onto the ground because a player kicks his 100th goal for the season. Simple answer .. we don't.

And if you feel you must charge onto the ground like a demented foot soldier, then try to consider how you would feel if you were on the ground and a thousand idiots came charging towards you. It's a dangerous practice. Don't do it.

With your logic, why celebrate the grand final? It's just another win against a team you already played that year, what's the big deal? Seriously get off your stick in the "I'm too obese to jump the fence" mud. Thousands, if not millions, look forward to everyone storming the ground and the excitement it brings. This security increase could even be a publicity stunt to ensure the last 3 games are sellouts.