Security measures at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) will be tightened following a serious breach during an Australian Rules football match on Thursday, where two men managed to enter the stadium with firearms.
The incident occurred during a high-stakes clash between Collingwood and Carlton, attended by more than 82,000 fans. Police said they discovered weapons on two men, aged 21 and 27, after the pair refused to leave the venue due to their disruptive behaviour.
Both men were arrested and charged with firearms offences and other related charges. Authorities later revealed that although screening units had initially detected the weapons, security personnel failed to conduct thorough follow-up checks—allowing the men to enter the stadium armed.
In response, MCG CEO Stuart Fox announced stricter security protocols would be implemented. “We will be increasing the extensiveness of the secondary manual security process, and patrons may experience slight delays as they attend upcoming events,” Fox said in a statement. He added that MCG officials would continue to work closely with Victoria Police, the AFL, and the venue’s security providers to enforce more rigorous safety measures.
AFL CEO Andrew Dillon condemned the incident, calling it “extremely disappointing.” He reassured the public that safety remains a top priority, noting that over 1.2 million fans have attended AFL matches this season without major incident. Dillon confirmed that the two men involved would be issued lifetime bans from attending future AFL games.
Victoria Police said both individuals were already on bail at the time of the incident. They remain in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The breach has raised concerns about the effectiveness of current stadium security procedures, prompting calls for more robust systems to protect fans and staff at major public events.
Melissa Enoch
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