Spectator dies at MCG in AFL Round 1 tragedy

Victoria Police issued a statement on Friday morning.

“Police will prepare a report for the Coroner following the death of a man in Richmond on Thursday, 12 March,” police said.

“Emergency services tried to revive the man at a sports ground on Brunton Avenue about 10.15pm.

“He sadly died at the scene. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

The time of the 10.15pm emergency services response is around the same time the final siren sounded on Carlton’s four point win.

As reported by football journalist Tom Morris on X, the man was believed to be a Richmond supporter above the age of 70.

According to the report, two spectators attempted to revive the man as stadium medical staff rushed up the aisles inside the AFL Reserve seating area.

The man was heard cheering loudly in his seat earlier in the game, which had an official attendance of 74,313.

The terrible tragedy came as Richmond thundered home in the second half, only to fall agonisingly short in the final minutes.

Tigers forward Tom Lynch will be left to rue his wasted opportunities in front of goal as he finished with 2.7 – that second goal coming in the dying minutes from a free kick to set up a grandstand finish.

Richmond coach Adem Yze cut a “bitterly disappointed” figure post-match, lamenting his side’s squandered Round 1 opportunity.

Yze said the control Richmond had in the second half was the core of his frustration.

“Yeah no doubt, the way we played in the second half I did,” Yze said.

“The first half I didn’t, we weren’t up to standard and our players know that. We just obviously gave them too much of a start.

“As a coach, at halftime when you’re that far behind, or things aren’t working for you, all you can ask for is a response.

“I’m really proud of the boys’ effort to provide that and give ourselves a chance to win the game, but when you look at the numbers, you do feel like you left one out there.”

Carlton coach Michael Voss said you would “have to be a mad man” to want to be an AFL coach after riding the stress rollercoaster as his team hung on.

“I think we take stock, I really don’t want to take away what we were able to win tonight (because) rivalries are really hard,” Voss said.

“It doesn’t matter where you are on the ladder… the reality is, these games, whether it’s versus Collingwood (or) Richmond, they’re hard-fought wins.

“It’s Round 1, the competition is not settled yet, so to be able to get these sorts of wins are really important in the bigger scope of the season.

“Tonight was a little bit about our club, we’ve been targeted throughout the whole week both inside and out, and we get away for a win.”

Voss was referring to the highly publicised analysis from former captain Sam Docherty, which aired unwillingly on the Dan Does Footy podcast.

— with NewsWire

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