AFL concerned over pitch incursions

GAELIC GAMES/International Rules News: The contrasting professionalism of the AFL and amateur ethos of the GAA have resulted in markedly different interpretations of the pitch invasions during the first International Rules Test at Pearse Stadium on Saturday.

Despite 170 stewards and a number of gardaí on duty at the Salthill venue, there were eight individual incursions and a mass invasion at full-time. This has been heavily criticised by AFL Players' Association chief executive Brendon Gale.

"The standards that we have in AFL football are a little different, and it's fair to say they're more professional. And it's fair for our players to expect those standards in an International Rules series between two nations, really, so it was a little substandard," Gale told The Age newspaper. "I won't lodge a formal complaint, but I certainly have brought it to the attention of our guys at the AFL, and I'd like to think it's passed on and something's done about it in the future. It's a bit of a concern. You don't like to think about these things, but you never know what can happen."

Security is such a high priority for the Australians that an Australian police officer is shadowing the tourists for their entire journey with a counter-surveillance/anti-terrorist brief. This practice has been developed by all AFL events overseas since exhibition games began in London last year.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou called on the GAA to examine the matter ahead of Sunday's second Test in Croke Park.

"Our players would feel uncomfortable because they're not used to it," said Demetriou. "We go to great lengths from a security perspective for our players. We just don't have crowd invasions (in Australia) . . . But when you're not at home, and when you're not in charge of the venue, and when you're not in charge of security, and we don't employ the people here, we have to sometimes put up with things that we don't normally put up with in Australia.

"We're in Ireland and it's pretty traditional here, and it's not something that we have in our country and in our games . . . the crowd was pretty pleasant and they're used to it, but we're glad it doesn't happen every week in our game.

"It's something for the GAA to look at. We certainly know how we do it in Australia and we'll continue to enforce our security . . . when we have our next International Rules series."

Under Australian law, a supporter can be fined up to Aud$3,000 and banned for the season for entering the playing field. A second incursion can result in a lifetime ban from all Aussie Rules stadiums. "I don't think it will happen in Croke Park," said Demetriou. "We've always been blessed with better security at Croke Park and it was the first time that we've come to Galway, so we accept that it was good for Galway and it's just a bit different here."

Only one of the individuals who invaded the pitch on Saturday was escorted off the field, and only after being initially pursued by Irish vice-captain Tadhg Kennelly, because he was delaying the start of the fourth quarter.

Australian player Adam Selwood was surprised by the lack of stewarding. "A lot of people were just patting you on the back; a few guys got in your face and said 'come on Ireland', or whatever.

" I don't think it was fearing for your safety, but it's probably not something that we're used to and it's probably not something that we really want either, so, hopefully, that can change. I'm not sure what Ireland can do about it, but it can get a bit dangerous. You don't know what people are doing and you get people coming up in front of your face . . . I'm sure the AFL will have a chat to the Gaelic football commission about it."

Galway County Board secretary Bernie O'Connor highlighted a difference in attitude from the Australians.

On the individual pitch incursions O'Connor said: "We had 170 stewards, along with a number of gardaí on duty, but they were all working in a voluntary capacity. No one was paid for it. There were one or two lapses that allowed young people get over the fences. Overall, I thought the stewards did an excellent job."

On the invasion at the end of the game, he added: "There was no pressure put on players. I understand this probably doesn't happen in Australia but even Croke Park has struggled with this problem. The manner in which the game concluded with a local hero, Joe Bergin, scoring the winning goal had the young kids wanting to worship their heroes. It was a small problem and is part of our heritage, especially after an All-Ireland final. We are a different sporting organisation to the AFL and there was no threat to anybody."

Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna has tried hard to rid the GAA's primary ground of pitch invasions, because of the number of claims from supporters being injured and damage done to the pitch.

The All-Ireland trophy presentations in 2007 will be made in the middle of the field. However, the Cormac McAnallen trophy will be presented from the Hogan Stand next Sunday.

There was also a problem on Saturday with 17 of the 20 official balls not returned from the crowd.

Australian Headlines

Australians urge fan control (The Age)

Crowd fun in Ireland no laughing matter for Australians (The Age)

No rules spook visitors (Sydney Morning Herald)

Irish pitch invasions spark concerns (Herald Sun)