Apart from Carlton nearly making it two stunning comeback wins from two under caretaker coach David Teague, the main story to come out of Marvel Stadium on Saturday night was the security.
Western Bulldogs held on for a thrilling three-point win after getting out to as much as a 34-point lead deep in the final term, but it was scenes of heavy-handed security staff patrolling up and down the aisles that left a sour taste in many fans' mouths
That came amid reports of similar goings on at Friday night's clash between Essendon and Hawthorn at the same venue.
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Broadcasters showed vision of security speaking to fans and patrolling the aisles during the final term, with commentator Matthew Richardson questioning the approach.
"Just let the people sit there and watch the footy."
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 15, 2019
- @mattricho0 pic.twitter.com/UWByL2L4eR
"The way they've been pacing up and down the aisles, I'm not sure it's necessary," Richardson said.
"They don't need to be walking up and down corridors, eyeing people off.
"Fair dinkum, do we need to be walking up and down?
"Just let the people sit there and watch the footy."
Fans on social media were similarly frustrated with the show of force.
Crowd security walking up and down the aisles, staring people down at the game we go to watch and support our favourite teams. This is a disgrace and the AFL should be ashamed. What has this become? #afl #disgrace #AFLBluesDogs
— Nash Neary (@NashNeary) June 15, 2019
Crowd security walking up and down the aisles, staring people down at the game we go to watch and support our favourite teams. This is a disgrace and the AFL should be ashamed. What has this become? #afl #disgrace #AFLBluesDogs
— Nash Neary (@NashNeary) June 15, 2019
A fan boycott seriously needs to happen now. We cannot have security pacing down the aisles evicting people for barracking. Absolute joke @AFL. #AFLBluesDogs #AFL
— Matt (@mjamon7) June 15, 2019
But everyone, don't worry! There hasn't been a crackdown on the fans! Yeah, that's it. Go to sleep, Australia. There has been no crackdown. Yes. Go to sleep. SShhhhhh #AFLBluesDogs
— Ronny Lerner (@RonnyLerner) June 15, 2019
With the already high cost of tickets and/or memberships and now security walking up and down kicking people out... Clearly the @AFL doesn't want people coming to games anymore? #afl #AFLBluesDogs
— Meaghan Alexandra (@Megsalexandra) June 15, 2019
Seeing security pace up and down the aisles makes me sick. We, the fans, are not criminals. We just love passionately cheering our teams. #AFLBluesDogs #AFL
— Matty (@MatanSlonim1997) June 15, 2019
Following Friday night's match, journalist Nat Edwards reported feeling "awkward" and "uncomfortable" with the heavy security presence and intervention at Docklands.
"I'd never seen this before and I go to the football every week," Edwards told 3AW.
"It was so uncomfortable that I'd rather stay at home and watch on the TV and not feel that pressure to act quietly.
"It was like we had to be quiet and silent and just literally sit there and clap occasionally. It was very odd."
This comes despite AFL boss Gillon McLachlan insisting there hadn't been a change in their approach to crowd behaviour.
"I want to make this clear … there has been no - zero - commentary, crackdown or change in policy about what's acceptable fan behaviour at games," McLachlan said on 3AW this week.
Whether it's come from the AFL or the venues themselves, it's now undeniable, spectators are being treated far more strictly than ever before.
One Blues fan even showed her disapproval with this silent protest.
Some fans at Marvel don't look happy.#AFLBluesDogs pic.twitter.com/iKo9DiTSSc
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 15, 2019
