Pitch invasions at weekend NRL games raise questions about venue security

The issue of ground perimeter security during NRL fixtures has been brought into focus over the weekend with after pitch invasion during Premiership fixtures.

A protestor entering the playing area carrying a flare during today’s clash between the Cronulla Sharks and Wests Tigers at Shark Park/PointsBet Stadium led to a series of disruptions to the game.

The pitch invader stopped play for several minutes and was able to get within touching distance of players before he was stopped by security and was at one point held by Tigers player Joe Ofahenguae.

He was removed from the field, but shortly after three spectators entered the field as ground staff attempted to extinguish the after-effects of the flare.

The man was able to get within touching distance of players before he was stopped by security and was at one point held by Tigers player Joe Ofahenguae.

He was removed from the field, but shortly after three spectators entered the field as ground staff attempted to extinguish the after-effects of the flare.

Speaking after the PointsBet Stadium incident, Wests Tigers captain James Tamou questioned how the man was able to get a flare into the ground, and why he was able to get so close to players with it in hand.

Tamou told the ABC “to get that close to players, things like that, who knows what his intentions were

"Luckily nothing happened but hopefully this situation puts a bit more urgency into upcoming games."

Cronulla captain Dale Finucane also expressed frustration over the incident, noting "I think the people who will be most disappointed will be our grounds people and people who work so hard behind the scenes."

The incident followed a female pitch invader interrupting play during the Parramatta Eels game against the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night.

Both incidents saw the pitch invade tackled to the ground and then removed by security staff, but the action towards the woman pitch invader at Cbus Super Stadium has been criticised.

Media outlets have described the tackle as “brutal” while was tackled to the ground by security.

Reports suggest that the Titans are to review their security provider, advising 7News in a statement “the Titans are working with Cbus Super Stadium and their security provider to get a full understanding of the incident and we will have a report from the venue in coming days.”

Titans Chairman Dennis Watt later told News Corp “there needs to be a review of what happened.

“From where I was sitting it did seem heavy-handed. It could have been handled better.

“It did seem over the top and it put the intruder at real physical risk.”

Image: A female pitch invader is dealt with by security during the Parramatta Eels game against the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday night. Credit: Twitter/Airwick @ericgrothejr.