Eddie McGuire’s Take: Why He Thinks the Adelaide Oval Design Promotes Reckless Behaviour

Eddie McGuire has urged the AFL and Adelaide Oval to enhance security measures for players and coaches after a series of unsettling incidents during Gather Round.

Geelong’s stars, Patrick Dangerfield and Bailey Smith, faced inappropriate heckling from a spectator at the onset of the weekend, while Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell discussed his uncomfortable exchange with fans on Sunday evening.

McGuire identifies the layout of Adelaide Oval as a contributing factor, pointing out that players and coaches must navigate through the crowd.

“We’re unintentionally encouraging idiots to provoke players in hopes of eliciting a reaction. While you could suggest that players should keep their composure and exit the field calmly,” McGuire commented on Nine’s Footy Classified.

“I want to expand on this observation. I’ve received feedback from multiple coaches this year indicating they’ve had problematic interactions with spectators.

“Adelaide is truly a wonderful venue, and we adore Adelaide Oval, but the reality is players and coaches still need to pass through the crowd.

“I mentioned this years ago—they should construct a tunnel. I understand the design aesthetics might not align with our ideal vision, yet we’ve just had two individuals walk into the MCG armed. It’s a different world we inhabit now.”

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“We need to remove the disruptive elements from the game. Surely additional protection is necessary around those thoroughfares?”

Geelong coach Chris Scott echoed similar sentiments, highlighting how the current ACA layout also poses challenges for fans, who at times find themselves blocked by security due to coaches’ movements.

“It’s somewhat bizarre when you have to traverse the crowd. I left the box 90 minutes before the final whistle, and this creates a real inconvenience for the fans,” Scott remarked.

“Crows supporters were attempting to exit, but security was blocking their path, causing evident frustration. That’s not an ideal atmosphere.

“Here’s a thought for the AFL: they seem incredibly vigilant about preventing behaviour that could provoke unsavoury incidents, such as coaches interacting on the bench, yet they allow coaches to wander through the crowd. This seems a bit contradictory to me.

“It’s possible they are not entirely keen on this arrangement, but perhaps they lack a viable alternative.”

During Gather Round, Sam Mitchell witnessed a fan being removed for heckling him, a situation that arose because he was required to walk through the crowd during the third quarter.