For my entire life, the word “football” meant one thing, AFL. Growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne, some of my earliest memories in life were of cold nights at the MCG, sitting in Level 4, watching Aussie Rules unfold before me. Friday nights meant footy on TV and half-time walks to the local pizza shop. Grand Final day was an annual tradition, with friends and family gathering at our house to celebrate the biggest day of the year. Richmond’s 2017 premiership win is still etched in my memory. For sixteen years, AFL was the only sport that mattered to me.
The A-League? That wasn’t even on my radar—until December 2023, when two mates and I decided to make our way to AAMI Park for the Melbourne Victory vs. Adelaide United match. I had no expectations, but that night changed everything. The atmosphere was electric. The chants echoed from the North Terrace from start to finish. It felt different—like stepping into an entirely new world, a different sporting culture that I had never experienced before. But one thing stood out immediately: police. Lots of them.
It was hard not to notice. Officers were everywhere—on horseback, in riot gear, and stationed throughout the stadium. Compared to the hundreds of AFL games I’d attended, where police presence was minimal, it felt excessive. It made me wonder: Why are A-League fans policed so differently compared to AFL fans? Is it an unfair double standard, or have football fans brought this upon themselves?
A-League vs. AFL: The Policing Divide
At an AFL game, you can walk into the MCG with 90,000 other fans and barely notice the police. There are officers here and there, patrolling the concourse and standing near entrances, but they are largely in the background. Yet, at an A-League game with just 20,000 fans, the security presence feels almost overwhelming—mounted police, Public Order Response Teams, and intense bag checks before you even step inside. It’s a stark contrast.
So, is this level of policing an overreaction? Or is it a response to past incidents? There’s no denying that there have been flashpoints in A-League history. The 2022 Melbourne Derby infamously known as “Bucket Gate”—was a dark moment for Australian football. Fans stormed the pitch, throwing objects and injuring a goalkeeper. It was a disgraceful incident that gave authorities every reason to crack down. But does that mean every football fan should be treated as a potential troublemaker?
AFL games have seen their fair share of brawls in the stands, but security doesn’t respond the same way. When an AFL crowd gets rowdy, it’s often brushed off as “passionate” rather than “dangerous.” Meanwhile, A-League fans, who bring flags, drums, and 90 minutes of non-stop chanting, are often viewed with suspicion.
Are Football Fans Their Own Worst Enemy?
There’s no question that some football fans have contributed to the problem. Lighting flares, throwing bottles, and invading pitches are behaviours that authorities cannot ignore. But this isn’t Europe, where ultra culture is deeply embedded in football traditions. In Australia, flares are illegal, and every time one is lit, it gives police and stadium officials more reason to tighten restrictions.
At the same time, there’s a clear frustration among active supporters. Many feel that they’re unfairly targeted—treated as criminals when all they want to do is create an exciting atmosphere. I’ve seen cases where fans were ejected for minor incidents that could have been resolved with a warning. Collective punishment is also an issue; if one person smuggles in a flare, both supporter groups can be punished, even if they had nothing to do with it. That’s not fair, and it only fuels resentment between fans and authorities.
Finding a Middle Ground
The reality is, both sides have a role to play in fixing this issue. Yes, over policing exists, and yes, football fans sometimes don’t help their own cause. But there needs to be more communication and understanding.
- Fans need to respect Australian laws, respect instructions issued by Security instead of arguing. Lighting flares, Pyros and throwing bottles might be common overseas, but here, it only invites harsher crackdowns.
- Police and stadium security need to recognize that the majority of football fans aren’t troublemakers. A strong supporter culture doesn’t automatically mean disorder.
- There needs to be a shift away from blanket punishments that unfairly impact innocent fans.
- Australian Professional Leagues (APL) need to advocate for fans while promoting responsible support.
- Australian Professional Leagues (APL) need to work with Stadium Management to create a better understanding around support culture.
Coming from an AFL background, I never thought twice about police presence at a game. But after experiencing the A-League first hand, I can see why football fans feel unfairly treated. If the A-League is to grow in Australia, there needs to be a balance—fans should be able to create an electric atmosphere without feeling like they’re under constant surveillance, and authorities should be able to maintain safety without treating every match as a high-risk event.
So, are A-League fans their own worst enemy? In some ways, yes. But are they also unfairly policed? Absolutely. The solution isn’t more restrictions—it’s more understanding.
Football’s biggest fight in Australia isn’t on the pitch—it’s proving that passion and safety can coexist. If the game is to truly thrive, we must stop assigning blame and start finding solutions together, because passion fuels the game, but respect sustains it.
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