Security has been ramped up at AFL games in the wake of this week’s firearms breach at the MCG. Some fans were kept waiting well into the first quarter of this afternoon’s lash between Richmond and the Brisbane Lions. Authorities are reviewing procedures at major events, including next week’s Gather Round, following the failure by MCG staff to detect the weapons.
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00:00Long lines and lengthy delays for some fans heading into the MCG for this afternoon's
00:07Tigers clash against the Brisbane Lions. Security tightened for the first game at the stadium
00:13since Thursday night's scare.
00:15Shocked, really shocked. Something terrible really could have happened. My scarf will
00:20go off because of the badges and I get patted down and my huge bag gets checked. So how
00:25they got in with firearms is beyond me.
00:28The MCC, Victoria Police and the AFL reviewing procedures after police allegedly found guns
00:34on two men inside the ground during Collingwood's clash with Carlton. The MCC blaming human
00:40error for the frightening breach, saying there had been a breakdown in the manual screening
00:45process even after automated screening units identified items of concern.
00:51Maybe this is a wake up call for the security companies to make sure that they're doing
00:56their job properly.
00:57It's not good for the game. South Australian authorities also reviewing security for next
01:02week's gather round with 18 sides meeting in Adelaide.
01:06You can't discount risk and that's exactly why SEPA will be beefing up security as they
01:11do every year.
01:12Police say Thursday's alleged breach was an isolated incident and is not being investigated
01:17for terrorism. But with a system this vulnerable, questions are being asked about what it could
01:22mean for future crowd safety at major events.
01:26We don't want families getting a message that if they come to the football there's going
01:29to be people here that are carrying any weapon, specifically loaded firearms, into the MCG.
01:34The MCG and our sporting events are not any place for weapons. It's a very clear message
01:39and Victoria Police are working very hard to make sure that they have a presence at
01:42these sporting events into the future.
01:45Punters were just keen to see the action.
01:48Because it's going to take a long time and I want to watch the game.
01:51A sentiment shared by many.