Channel Seven AFL commentator and former St Kilda star Nick Riewoldt has been involved in a brief but startling incident on Thursday night in Melbourne.
It happened just moments before going live on air for the highly anticipated clash between Collingwood and Adelaide.
As Riewoldt stood alongside broadcasting legend Bruce McAvaney, preparing for the live segment, a fan suddenly approached from behind and grabbed him.
The individual was heard shouting, ‘Heath Shaw, Heath Shaw … he’s come up behind him like a librarian.’
The comments were a reference to the iconic smother by Heath Shaw against Riewoldt during the 2010 AFL Grand Final replay.
Riewoldt instinctively turned and pushed the man away, a reaction Channel Seven later described as a ‘natural, human response aimed at protecting those around him.’
The moment was captured on video and shared across social media.
In a statement, Channel Seven Director of Sport Chris Jones defended Riewoldt’s actions and emphasised the network’s commitment to both fan engagement and staff safety.
Nick Riewoldt (pictured) was approached by a fan, who he quickly shoved away
‘We absolutely love being out there with the fans and soaking up the atmosphere – it lifts the energy for everyone and creates a richer experience for viewers at home. It’s what makes covering some of the biggest nights of the year so special,’ Jones said.
‘At the same time, it’s important our team feels safe in those environments.
‘We greatly value connecting with fans, but any physical contact that makes our team feel unsafe in their work environment isn’t appropriate.
‘We do not condone violence in any form, and ensuring the safety of everyone present is our priority.’
Australians across the country also defended Riewoldt’s reaction after a video of the incident was shared on social media.
‘You can’t just go touch someone like that, fair reaction,’ one person commented.
‘Mate, if a random bloke walked up to you and put their arms around you with your back turned you wouldn’t just take it,’ a second person wrote.
‘Standard reaction for anyone, don’t go up and touch people you don’t know,’ a third person chimed.
Channel Seven stood behind Riewoldt (right), saying his reaction was natural and a human response
Riewoldt, who recently returned to Australia from the US after living abroad with his family in Houston, Texas, joined Channel Seven’s commentary team for the 2025 season.
In July, Channel Seven star Andy Maher was involved in a heated altercation with an AFL fan who had to be removed by security during the Carlton versus Melbourne match at the MCG.
Vision showed the man, who was unsteady on his feet, get out of his seat and confront the popular commentator as he watched the match.
It is not known what the man said, but he could be seen touching Maher’s shoulder during the clash, as other fans yelled for security to have him removed.
A woman could be seen trying to de-escalate the situation before MCG security arrived and escorted the disruptive man away.
‘It was the last three minutes of the game and I noticed there were two blokes who were pretty pi**ed,’ Maher told News Corp at the time.
