A classic AFL contest ended in ugly scenes at the MCG when Hawthorn supporters threw bottles towards the umpires after a disputed late decision in the Hawks’ preliminary-final clash with the Brisbane Lions.
Hawthorn’s season ended in preliminary-final heartbreak for the second year in succession, with Brisbane holding on for a 20.11 (131) to 19.8 (122) victory.
The decisive moment came with just 18 seconds remaining. Defender Jarman Impey was penalised for holding the ball, allowing Brisbane’s Hugh McCluggage to take a free kick and slot the goal that ultimately sealed the Lions’ place in the grand final.
A Fox Sports commentator described the ruling as “the biggest call you have ever seen”.
The decision prompted a huge backlash from the Hawthorn faithful, with loud boos echoing around the MCG before several bottles were thrown towards the umpires as they made their way from the field.
In one alarming moment, an official warned a colleague about an object flying towards them. The umpire ducked to avoid the bottle before pointing towards the suspected spectator so security could intervene.
Furious Hawthorn fans targeted umpires over a controversial decision in the final minute of the Hawks’ preliminary final against the Brisbane Lions
Former Hawthorn great Luke Hodge condemned the scenes, saying the umpires should not have objects thrown at them after a bottle was hurled from the top tier
“We’ve never seen bottles thrown on the ground like this before, have we? Have we ever seen a scene like this?” SEN broadcaster Dwane Russell asked.
Hawthorn premiership champion Luke Hodge also voiced his disapproval of the supporters’ behaviour.
“The umpires are walking off, they should not have things thrown at them. A bottle has come down from the top tier,” Hodge said.
The incident was widely condemned online, with one football fan posting: “Disgraceful. Should be life bans dished out.”
Another supporter wrote: “That’s not the way, boys. Not our night, but shouldn’t be doing that.”
A third added: “Embarrassing behaviour — no, disgraceful. The AFL needs to come down hard on this type of behaviour.”
Hawthorn captain James Sicily, Tom Barrass and Jack Ginnivan were also seen confronting the umpires in an animated exchange after the final siren.
Ruckman Lloyd Meek was visibly emotional and swore while speaking to reporters in the rooms. Coach Sam Mitchell, however, maintained his composure during a difficult post-match press conference, describing the loss as a moment of mourning.
Hawthorn players James Sicily (pictured front), Tom Barrass and Jack Ginnivan were seen having angry words with the umpires at the end of the game
“This feeling is the pits,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell said he was unaware of Sicily, Barrass and Ginnivan approaching the umpires, although he knew bottles had been thrown onto the field.
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“At the end of the game, part of me wanted to break down in tears, part of me wanted to scream with rage, part of me wanted to throw chairs — you don’t know how to react,” he said.
‘So when you’re in the stand, you need to continue to be feeling that emotion, because that’s why we love it, but how it manifests itself – we shouldn’t be throwing things on the field and doing those types of things.
‘But the passion in the stand and the passion of the game is why we love it so much. So I hope that for the vast majority it was felt responsibly.’
Meek was near Impey when the free was paid.
‘It’s heartbreaking… We pour our heart and soul into this. I was standing right next to him – I will be replaying that one for a while,’ Meek said.
‘I just feel like I probably could have jumped on and knocked the ball out or done a “stacks-on” – something … it’s hard, in the dying moments.’
The final-minute decision triggered furious boos from tens of thousands of Hawks fans packed into the MCG. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by any fan pictured above
Mitchell spoke of grief and added it was too soon to think beyond what had just happened.
‘I think we’re in a mourning phase. What’s the first part, is it anger? I think I’m still half in anger, probably sense it in my body language,’ he said.
‘What else, what’s after anger? I don’t know, last is acceptance and – I nearly said a bad word – I’m a long way from acceptance right now.
‘I will sit in anger for a bit longer, I’m sure all the players will too.’
Before they left the MCG for the last time this season, Mitchell brought his players into a tight group.
‘It was just, “Remember this”. There’s nothing more raw than that five minutes straight after the siren, when it hurts the most,’ Meek said of Mitchell’s message.
‘Remember the burn and the outrage and how frustrating it is – because that will be our fuel. We have a big pre-season ahead.’
Mitchell spoke of his great pride in the Hawks, who staged an outstanding comeback in the final quarter.
But in the end, it came to nothing.
‘If you want to strive for great things, you will open yourself up for all sorts of emotion, the greatest of joy, and the deepest of pain,’ he said.