In a disturbing turn of events following Saturday night’s AFL clash between Hawthorn and Collingwood at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), a group of Hawthorn supporters was caught on camera engaging in violent altercations outside the stadium.
Footage circulating on social media shows several fans in brown and gold confronting rival supporters and security personnel after Hawthorn suffered a humiliating 47-point defeat to a dominant Collingwood side. The loss — one of Hawthorn’s heaviest of the season — appears to have pushed some fans over the edge, culminating in what eyewitnesses have described as “out-of-control” scenes near the Jolimont train station.
Victoria Police confirmed that at least four individuals were detained on-site for public disturbance, with two others facing potential assault charges. One security officer sustained minor injuries during an attempt to de-escalate the situation. Emergency services were quick to respond, preventing the violence from escalating further.
“This type of behaviour has no place in our game,” said AFL spokesperson Rachel Edwards. “We pride ourselves on being a family-friendly league. What happened last night was unacceptable, and we are working closely with authorities to identify all individuals involved.”
The Hawthorn Football Club also released a statement Sunday morning condemning the actions of the supporters seen in the videos.
“We are appalled by the conduct of a small group of individuals who do not represent the values of our club,” the statement read. “We will fully cooperate with the AFL and local authorities. Any Hawthorn member found to be involved will face immediate sanctions, including possible bans.”
The incident casts a shadow over what was otherwise a spirited match attended by over 80,000 fans. Collingwood’s commanding performance reaffirmed their premiership credentials, while Hawthorn’s young list continues to face mounting scrutiny amid a tough rebuilding season.
With investigations ongoing, police are urging anyone with video evidence or information about the altercations to come forward.
As the AFL ramps up security measures ahead of next weekend’s fixtures, many are now calling for a broader conversation about fan behaviour, alcohol consumption at games, and the responsibility of clubs to curb unruly conduct.
