The Aporia
Ugly scenes marred Saturday night’s preliminary final between Hawthorn and Brisbane, with dozens of fans pelting cans and bottles at umpires when they left the field after the nine-point loss to Brisbane. A 34-year-old man from Seaford is expected to be charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful assault and discharging a missile for allegedly throwing nachos at a woman and her eight-year-old son. Police also fined five fans, including one who threw an item and another assaulted at the ground during the Lions’ tense victory. Victoria Police launched investigations into reports that nachos were thrown at a family, with neither injured but leading to charges of assault against suspects. Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell condemned fan behavior, declaring the MCG unsafe for brief moments when supporters vented frustrations over contentious game decisions. The AFL warned fans responsible could face bans of up to five years.