AFL players Jeremy Howe, James Frawley and Lynden Dunn asked to leave Boxing Day Test at MCG Mark Buttler and Alex White
Herald Sun
December 26, 2012 9:35PMAFL footballers were asked to leave the MCG in heated scenes during the Boxing Day Test.
Current and former Melbourne footballers had been enjoying a get-together in the legendary Bay 13 but things turned sour late in the day.
A group including high-flyer Jeremy Howe, star full-back James Frawley and their old teammates Jared Rivers and Ricky Petterd soaked up beers and sun during the afternoon.
Howe barracked enthusiastically during the afternoon, generating rancour with some other fans.
Witnesses said they held aloft a long "beer train" made of empty plastic glasses in the period before there was friction with another patron.
That fan became upset after allegedly being hit by a beer mug and remonstrated with Petterd, who recently transferred to Richmond.
They pushed and shoved in heated scenes before security and police moved in about 5pm.
One man was escorted away to be ejected before officials turned their attention to the players.
At one stage, an angry Rivers was separated from another man by security and other patrons as he was led up an aisle.
Moments earlier he had exchanged angry words with the same man.
The group - minus Petterd - was then marched from the ground without further incident.
The witness said he was surprised to see the group sitting in the area.
"Most AFL players don't sit in the old Bay 13 building beer trains," the witness said.
Melbourne football manager Josh Mahoney confirmed a group of players was asked to leave. But Mahoney said the players were among a large number of patrons told to get out.
Earlier, Richmond player Ricky Petterd is photographed throwing an empty plastic cup while at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Richmond player Ricky Petterd is photographed in a scuffle with another fan at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Wayne Ludbeyhttp://www.adelaidenow.com.au/afl-players-jeremy-howe-and-james-frawley-asked-to-leave-mcg-for-boxing-day-test/story-e6frea6u-1226543781184
