- Two men allegedly caught with loaded firearms at MCG
- MCG pointed to issues with manual security screening
- Security expert stated future similar breaches wouldn’t shock him
A security breakdown that resulted in the alleged smuggling of guns into a packed MCG is an opportunity to improve screening measures, says an expert – before warning a breach is likely to happen again.
More than 82,000 fans were watching the AFL match between arch-rivals Carlton and Collingwood on Thursday when two men were allegedly caught with loaded firearms.
The weapons were discovered after the pair, who were on bail, refused a security request to leave the venue due to their behaviour.
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon has promised an ‘end to end’ review into the breach and already issued lifetime football bans for the two men.
The incident wasn’t surprising to Matryx security consultant Luke Percy-Dove, who pointed out there is a prevalence of weapons in the community.
‘If you think about a crowd of 80,000, it probably shouldn’t be that unexpected,’ he said.
A security breakdown that resulted in the alleged smuggling of guns into a packed MCG is an opportunity to improve screening measures, according to an expert (pictured, Carlton AFL star Patrick Cripps)
Matryx security consultant Luke Percy-Dove stated he wouldn’t be shocked if there is a future breach of a similar nature (pictured right on the ball, Collingwood star Daniel McStay)
The weapons were discovered after the pair, who were on bail, refused a security request to leave the MCG due to their behaviour (one is pictured, getting arrested)
The situation offers authorities an opportunity to improve security measures following the investigation says Percy-Dove, who believes it will happen again.
‘There’s almost an assumption that when we go to major events….there will be members of the community who have weapons on them, and that will be the same everywhere,’ he said.
‘I don’t see a practical way at the moment of how it can be stopped.’
The MCG underwent a major security upgrade in 2024, including the rollout of sensors with artificial intelligence (AI) which can differentiate between weapons and common metals people carry.
Fans should now expect delays at upcoming events after the stadium blamed the incident on issues with a manual security screening.
‘Security has to be cohesive, and if you’ve got technology in place to detect things, it has to be reliably supported by people, processes and training to ensure security works effectively,’ Percy-Dove said.
‘The vulnerability in our industry, unfortunately, is not the technology, but the staff.’
Fans should now expect delays at upcoming events after the MCG blamed the incident on issues with a manual security screening (pictured, fans entering the ground where bags are inspected)
Two men were charged with bringing loaded firearms into the MCG (pictured) and on Friday, were banned for life by AFL CEO Andrew Dillon
It is understood additional measures will be implemented at the ground, including increased security staff.
Hawthorn captain James Sicily, who has played at the MCG twice this season, understood why the incident would shock people.
‘I’m just worried about getting a kick when I’m on the field,’ he said.
‘But definitely as a patron, that’s very worrying and I’d assume there would be some higher security checks being taken.’
