By Luke Voogt
Police will seek to lay charges against brawlers involved in a violent fight after the siren at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night.
“If you go to the footy to cause trouble you’ll be held to account and brought before the courts,” warned Geelong Detective Senior Sergeant Terry Hay.
“What we are in the process of doing is getting statements from witnesses and people involved.”
Snr Sgt Hay said police would prosecute anyone who committed an offence during the brawl, the second at GMHBA Stadium this year.
“On the face of it” offences had occurred during Saturday’s melee, he added.
Phone footage emerged of the violent brawl which occurred seconds after Zac Tuohy kicked the match-winning goal against the Demons on Saturday night.
The footage shows a man in Geelong colours stomping a Melbourne supporter while he was on ground.
“We’ve seen some vision in relation to it,” Snr Sgt Hay said.
“That person will be spoken to.”
The melee lasted roughly 45 seconds before other crowd members broke it up.
A man involved in the brawl contacted a Melbourne police station this week.
Snr Sgt Hay urged anyone else involved in the fight to “get on the front foot and tell police your side of the story”.
“Come forward rather than have us knock on the front door.”
Investigators from Geelong Crime Investigation Unit would review additional phone footage and CCTV footage from the stadium, Snr Sgt Hay said.
He urged witnesses who saw or filmed the brawl to phone Geelong Police Station on 5225 3100 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Snr Sgt Hay slammed the disgraceful behaviour.
“Violence is not acceptable whether it’s at home, in the street or at the footy,” he said.
“People have a right to go to the footy without being involved in acts of violence and, just as importantly, having to witness acts of violence.
“It can be just as bad for mums, dads and kids at the footy to have to see that go on.”
Police were meeting with Kardinia Park Stadium Trust to discuss options to make the ground safer, Snr Sgt Hay said.
The trust’s chief executive officer Michael Brown said a small minority brawling marred the game for other spectators.
“The Kardinia Park Stadium Trust is extremely disappointed with the behaviour from a small section of patrons at last night’s game.”
“We will continue to work with the Victorian Police, AFL and both clubs to investigate the incident.”
The brawl follows a glassing in the Stella Artois Lounge at the ground on 26 May which left a man bloodied and injured.
