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The AFL is preparing to act against abusive and threatening Richmond fans after the ugly scenes at Friday night's clash with Adelaide.
Tiger players and coaching staff were showered with vicious abuse and even spat on by angry fans as they left the Telstra Dome arena both at half-time and full-time.
"That's something we need to look at, because it's the sort of behaviour we obviously don't encourage, it's not good for footy," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson told Triple M radio.
It was the second week in a row that Richmond fans had attacked their own in such a fashion with many no doubt rushing to the race in the hope their anger would be broadcast.
Anderson suggested the media should refrain from focusing on such ill-behaviour for risk of providing a publicity incentive.
"If you look closely at the people doing it, they're partly doing it for a bit of exposure for themselves," Anderson said.
"It does encourage them when they get their head on the telly....perhaps we could all take a bit of responsibility for not highlighting behaviour like that."
Under-fire coach Danny Frawley - the main focus of the fans' ire - said supporters need to pull together among what he acknowledged was the lowest time of his 20-year playing and coaching career.
"Our supporters are probably the most passionate in the league but there's a fine line between passionate and why you actually barrack for a club," Frawley said.
Frawley's family said they felt threatened and frightened by the behaviour of Richmond fans during the loss to Adelaide.
His brother-in-law - who assists the coach on match-days - was provided with a police escort while his parents would not attend any more matches this year.
Telstra Dome chief Ian Collins had said more stringent security was provided for Richmond-Adelaide and would again for this Friday night's Richmond-Hawthorn clash.
©AAP 2004
Tiger players and coaching staff were showered with vicious abuse and even spat on by angry fans as they left the Telstra Dome arena both at half-time and full-time.
"That's something we need to look at, because it's the sort of behaviour we obviously don't encourage, it's not good for footy," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson told Triple M radio.
It was the second week in a row that Richmond fans had attacked their own in such a fashion with many no doubt rushing to the race in the hope their anger would be broadcast.
Anderson suggested the media should refrain from focusing on such ill-behaviour for risk of providing a publicity incentive.
"If you look closely at the people doing it, they're partly doing it for a bit of exposure for themselves," Anderson said.
"It does encourage them when they get their head on the telly....perhaps we could all take a bit of responsibility for not highlighting behaviour like that."
Under-fire coach Danny Frawley - the main focus of the fans' ire - said supporters need to pull together among what he acknowledged was the lowest time of his 20-year playing and coaching career.
"Our supporters are probably the most passionate in the league but there's a fine line between passionate and why you actually barrack for a club," Frawley said.
Frawley's family said they felt threatened and frightened by the behaviour of Richmond fans during the loss to Adelaide.
His brother-in-law - who assists the coach on match-days - was provided with a police escort while his parents would not attend any more matches this year.
Telstra Dome chief Ian Collins had said more stringent security was provided for Richmond-Adelaide and would again for this Friday night's Richmond-Hawthorn clash.
©AAP 2004
