By Luke Voogt
GMHBA Stadium’s management has banned full-strength beer at Cats night games in an effort to stamp out violent brawls.
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust announced the measure on Wednesday following two fights at the ground earlier this year.
The safety of patrons and families at the football was of “utmost concern”, trust chief executive officer Michael Brown said.
A violent brawl broke out in the Gary Ablett Terrace on 21 July seconds after Zac Tuohy kicked the match-winning goal against the Demons.
Footage of brawl showed several men fighting and one stomping another while he was on the ground.
“The police, the trust and the footy club have been working really hard to make sure there are no more repeats of what happened at that night game,” Mr Brown said.
“It’s become really apparent at night games that there are lots of opportunities for people to go and drink elsewhere before they come to the game.”
The brawl followed a glassing in the Stella Artois Lounge at the ground on 26 May, which left a man bloodied.
The ban was a “positive step forward” and brought GMHBA Stadium into line with venues such as Etihad Stadium and MCG, Mr Brown said.
With Geelong to play its last game at GMHBA stadium on Saturday afternoon, the ban will not come into effect until next year.
But Mr Brown said the measure would apply for the stadium’s off-season night events.
The trust would also introduce notices to ban violent or anti-social fans from the ground, he warned.
If “appropriate” and legally-feasible, the trust would consider enforcing those bans on fans involved in the brawl on 21 July , he added.
Previously Geelong Football Club had the power to ban only its members through 10-step process, which could take up to a year, its chief executive officer Brian Cook explained.
Victoria Police Inspector Bruce Thomas warned police would “beef up” patrols at the ground and nearby licenced venues this Saturday.
Police would focus on the Gary Ablett Terrace during Saturday’s match against Gold Coast Suns, he said.
“We’ve strategically moved our people to problem areas.”
Police and security staff would deny intoxicated patrons entry to ground, he said.
“There’s a large amount of people who attend the football and there’s only very (few who cause) trouble.”
Police had concluded their investigation into the 21 July brawl and were likely to lay charges and issue penalty notices for riotous behaviour, Insp Thomas said.
