UPDATE
The AFL and Adelaide Oval should make a statement of the pitch invader in Friday night’s game and send him a lifetime ban.
That’s the opinion of Gerard Whateley and the SEN Crunch Time team following the debacle in Geelong’s 15-point win over Adelaide.
The intruder was only captured after bumping into multiple players and being floored by Adelaide’s Ben Keays, with Adelaide Oval’s security likely to come under scrutiny.
But as for the intruder, the Adelaide Oval has confirmed the fan will receive the minimum ban of three years. It’s a call that perplexes Whateley.
“I’m so curious about the Adelaide Oval rationale. What could you do that was worse than that?” Whateley began.
“He’s run from the fence, pinched a security guard’s cap, he’s made contact with two players, I just grapple with what could earn you the maximum ban if that’s the minimum?
"That fellow last night has no right ever to go to the footy again."
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) March 23, 2024
- Gerard Whateley on the pitch invader last night only receiving a three year penalty #CrunchTime
“Go 10 years as a ceremonial gesture. Say, 'if you do this, you’ll be an old man by the time you come back…' it’s a free swing, you can’t go too high.
“That fellow has no right to ever go to the footy again.”
9News' Tom Morris added: “It seems extremely light on.”
The AFL and police have the ability to charge the fan, with the league yet to hand down its verdict.
Meanwhile, Dermott Brereton believes the intruder was lucky to avoid a worse fate than being floored by Keays.
“The first thing I thought of was some half-wit that thinks he’s gone zen on his side and jumps into the pit with the polar bears at the zoo. They tear him apart.
“I initially looked at it and thought someone is going to headlock him to a point where they’ll pass him out.”
Cats veteran Zach Tuohy offered a similar opinion, telling SEN: “I was on the interchange… it was disappointing. He’s an idiot really, I can’t stand it, personally. I hate it.”
EARLIER
The pitch invader at Friday night’s clash between Adelaide and Geelong was arrested and charged following the incident at the Adelaide Oval overnight, Tom Morris is reporting.
The 22-year-old was charged with entering the oval during a scheduled event and is expected to appear at Adelaide’s Magistrates Court on June 19.
The disgraceful behaviour occurred at a pivotal moment during the third quarter with Matt Crouch and Ben Keays taking action into their own hands to stop the streaker.
The invader also bumped into Adelaide defender Brodie Smith after hurdling the fence with the Adelaide Oval. The AFL is expected to come down hard on the incident.
Gerard Whateley, on commetary for AFL Nation, voiced his concern over the lack of security at the venue with the invader able to come into contact with the players on the ground before security eventually caught the man.
“That’s pretty alarming that an intruder could get to a player and grab hold of them… I can’t think of a moment in footy like that in many a year,” Whateley said.
The Cats proved too strong for the Crows in the end, winning by 19 points in front of a packed house.
The 22-year-old pitch invader from last night was arrested and charged with 'entering the oval during a scheduled event.'
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) March 22, 2024
He was bailed to appear at Adelaide Magistrates Court on 19 June.
The stadium & AFL will also be involved in banning/fining him. @FootyonNine @9NewsMelb…