During a junior AFL grand final in Canberra last night, two individuals were temporarily detained following incidents involving flares and objects being hurled at players.
Law enforcement responded to Phillip Oval at approximately 8:30 PM after receiving reports of disturbances at the Under 18s AFL Canberra Grand Final, which featured Marist College competing against the Belconnen Magpies.
According to a statement from ACT Policing, witnesses reported that a group of 50 to 75 teenagers engaged in disruptive behaviors, including throwing items at players and discharging flares, while several attendees appeared to be intoxicated.
“Two individuals were taken into custody briefly and subsequently released at the location,” the police statement indicated.
At the conclusion of the match, chaotic scenes unfolded, prompting a message from Marist College’s deputy principal, Liam Stakelum, to parents of the AFL players. He described the ending of the game as “chaotic,” noting that some spectators were taken into custody due to their “anti-social behavior.”
“They were part of a group that displayed significantly poor conduct throughout the game,” Mr. Stakelum remarked.
“Following the first quarter, we opted to keep our students in a designated area to ensure their safety and minimize potential risks. It appears that these individuals were not associated with Belconnen,” he added.
After the game ended, ACT Policing reported that event management instructed all attendees to vacate the venue. “All patrons exited the scene without any further incidents,” the police confirmed.
In his communication to parents, Mr. Stakelum noted that officers believed the group posed a threat to the students and aimed to limit their interactions with them as much as possible. “I understand that the chaotic scenes at the end of the match are difficult to comprehend, but I want to reassure everyone that the police were in charge,” he stated.
He further explained, “The decision to remove everyone from the ground was made by the police, as they were unable to distinguish between genuine Belconnen supporters and those causing the disturbances. While we may not agree with this decision, I can appreciate the safety concerns that motivated it. Such situations are challenging to manage.”
An AFL representative emphasized that the safety of players, officials, and spectators was the organization’s highest priority. “Safety guided all decision-making during last night’s Under 18s boys’ grand final,” the spokesperson noted, adding that the AFL collaborated closely with ACT Policing throughout the event to ensure the match was conducted safely.
The Belconnen Magpies Football Club has been approached for a comment regarding the incident.
