Fans attending the AFL Round Four clash between Richmond and Brisbane Lions at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday were subjected to long delays as a result of heightened security protocols. The new measures come in response to a serious breach that occurred less than 48 hours earlier during the high-profile Collingwood-Carlton game, where two men allegedly entered the venue with loaded firearms.
Enhanced Checks Cause Entry Delays
With Richmond and Brisbane fans eager to catch the action at the iconic venue, many found themselves stuck in queues stretching hundreds of metres, as security staff carried out more intensive checks. Entry to the stadium was slowed significantly as staff restricted the number of people moving through metal detectors and increased the use of hand-held security wands. Bag inspections were also more thorough than usual.
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Despite Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) chief executive Stuart Fox’s warning of only “slight delays,” fans reported wait times that extended well into the first quarter of the match, which began at 4:15pm AEDT.
Fan Frustration Mounts
“The queues to get into the MCG today are ridiculously long. Complete overreaction to Thursday night’s incident,” one ABC Sport reader posted on the live blog.
Another said, “The MCC queue extends to Wellington Parade. Non-MCC queues even longer. Going to miss the first quarter at this rate.”
By quarter-time, the situation had improved, and the queues had mostly cleared, but the frustration remained for fans who missed a chunk of the game.
Weapons Discovered During Thursday Night Game
The increased security follows a significant incident at Thursday night’s blockbuster between Collingwood and Carlton, attended by over 82,000 fans. During that match, Victoria Police allegedly found two men, who were already on bail, in possession of loaded firearms inside the MCG.
The pair were arrested at the scene, triggering widespread concern and prompting a full internal review by the Melbourne Cricket Club.
MCC Responds to Security Failures
MCC chief executive Stuart Fox acknowledged the serious breach, describing it as a failure in the secondary and manual screening process.
“Our security screening units identified items of concern and further investigation was required,” Fox said. “Our initial internal investigation identified a breakdown in the thoroughness of the secondary and manual screening process.”
He confirmed that more rigorous procedures would be introduced for upcoming events.
“As a result, we will be increasing the extensiveness of the secondary manual security process, and patrons may experience slight delays as they attend upcoming events.”
What’s Next?
With AFL matches continuing at the MCG in the coming weeks, the increased security presence is expected to remain in place. While fans may face further delays, authorities are prioritising safety and prevention of further security breaches.
