Eddie McGuire Shares Thoughts on MCG’s Reaction After Armed Intruder Incident

Eddie McGuire has shed more light on the armed individuals who stormed the MCG last Thursday and the subsequent security protocol adjustments.

The two individuals were detained for attempting to bring guns into the venue during the Carlton-Collingwood match, prompting the stadium to implement enhanced security measures over the weekend.

Queues to enter the Richmond vs Brisbane game stretched back to Jolimont Station due to the tighter security, much to the annoyance of supporters.

After consulting with MCC chief executive Stuart Fox, McGuire anticipates that the entry wait times will normalise following the Gather Round.

“What occurred was that two individuals made it through the scanning process,” he noted during Nine’s Eddie and Jimmy Podcast.

“The scanning equipment detected ‘ding, ding, ding, danger, danger, danger’, yet in the next stage, which involved human oversight, they were permitted entry and the police were not alerted in time.”

“Whether it was a matter of intimidation, the guard being intimidated, or sheer negligence, it doesn’t matter as they’re addressing the issue now.

“Incidents like this can happen, which is exactly why we have security in place. Some might panic about the MCG and AFL, claiming they’ve failed, but that isn’t the case—an incident occurred. Those who intend to commit wrongdoing often find ways to circumvent security measures.”

“As a result, at the Richmond game last weekend, fans were lined up all the way to the Pullman and Jolimont Station. They overcorrected, implementing a policy to individually screen all patrons.”

“Stuart Fox informed me that the evolve scanning equipment proved effective, but the thoroughness of the secondary screening process was the real concern.”

“The foremost priority is safety. The MCC has tested various approaches and will now revert to standard entry times. They’ve taken the necessary steps to ensure that waiting times will normalise, but it’s crucial for fans to arrive early. Have your last drink down at Swan Street a little earlier and make sure to find your seats well ahead of game time.

“We simply ask that attendees come at least half an hour early. For reference, the MCG is among the few stadiums in the world that conducts 100 per cent testing.”

With the entire league heading to Adelaide for Gather Round this week, the MCG’s next game day will be on Saturday, April 19th, when Melbourne faces Fremantle.

This will be followed by the traditional Easter Monday fixture featuring Geelong against Hawthorn.