The AFL will examine an unpleasant incident at Marvel Stadium after Richmond utility Marlion Pickett was touched over the fence by a fan.
Just earlier than three-quarter-time in Friday night time’s match, Pickett was chasing Bulldogs celebrity Marcus Bontempelli into the Tigers’ defensive 50 and he ran proper in direction of the fence.
A fan within the crowd reached over to mockingly put a hand on Pickett’s shoulder, with the twin Richmond premiership participant turning round and knocking a drink out of the supporter’s hand.
As quickly because the siren sounded at three-quarter-time, Pickett made a beeline in direction of the identical part of the gang the place the incident occurred and briefly interacted with a safety guard.
The 31-year-old had a protracted dialog with Richmond soccer boss Tim Livingstone earlier than the ultimate quarter started, which Pickett began sitting on the bench.
Interim Richmond coach Andrew McQualter mentioned it was “disappointing” the incident occurred.
“I don’t know full details, but it shouldn’t happen,” he mentioned.
“We love fans in our game, and they’re so critical to our game, but our players should never, ever be touched when they’re on the football field.
“I feel all Marlion was doing was alerting Tim (Livingstone) to the truth that one thing occurred, and simply getting safety to take care of it and the AFL will take care of it now.”
Back in 2018, an Adelaide supporter was banned from attending games at the Adelaide Oval for the rest of that season after reaching over the fence and touching Bulldogs captain Easton Wood on the backside.
Pickett missed a game earlier in the season after he appeared in a Perth court on a dozen charges, including four counts of aggravated burglary, three of stealing and three of criminal damage.
He has performed 76 video games for Richmond, having famously made his AFL debut of their 2019 premiership triumph, simply months after being recruited through the mid-season draft.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
