Former Melbourne player Jared Rivers (white t-shirt and sunglasses), who is now with Geelong, has to be restrained after being told to leave by security and the police. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: Herald Sun
MELBOURNE players evicted from the MCG on Boxing Day will answer to football chiefs when the Dees resume training next week.
Star defender James Frawley, gun forward Jeremy Howe - a cousin of Australian wicketkeeper Matthew Wade - and backman Lynden Dunn will be asked to explain themselves after a boozy day in the notoriously rowdy bay 13 with former teammates Ricky Petterd (Richmond) and Jared Rivers (Geelong).
The group - minus Petterd - were allegedly asked to leave the ground late on Wednesday afternoon after clashes with fellow patrons attracted the attention of security guards.
Melbourne yesterday confirmed the club would address the incident when the team returned from the Christmas break on January 2. Senior players will return on January 7.
Melbourne player James Frawley asked to leave Bay 13 by MCG security. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.
A patron has contacted Richmond alleging Petterd used offensive language.
New Tiger Petterd, 24, is believed to have maintained he did nothing wrong, despite being photographed in a scuffle with another cricket fan.
Geelong defender Rivers, 28, had to separated from another patron as he was led up an aisle by security.
Melbourne player Jeremy Howe puts his shirt on after being told to leave Bay 13. Picture: Wayne Ludbey
Officials from Richmond and Geelong would not comment yesterday.
A witness said the players were subjected to verbal abuse from other spectators after they were identified as AFL footballers.
Melbourne coach Mark Neeld is on an overseas holiday but has set high standards for the players in regard to their on and off-field behaviour.
Demons players Jeremy Howe, right, and Lynden Dunn, both in sunglasses, build a beer train in Bay 13 at the MCG. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.
Frawley, 24, is a member of the Demons' leadership group, which could also have a major say in determining any player sanctions.
The incident extends a horror period for the club, with the future of several key officials hinging on the outcome of the league's tanking investigation.
AFL investigators have given the club evidence gathered from its five- month probe into allegations Dees officials set out to lose matches in 2009 to enhance their draft position.
The evidence is in the hands of the club's legal team, which is expected to vigorously defend the claims when it responds in mid-January. The AFL has said it expected to decide if any charges would be laid by the end of January.
Melbourne players were banned from drinking alcohol on their nine-day pre-season camp at Robertson Barracks in Darwin this month.
Dees fitness boss David Misson said the players had been given strict training programs to complete over the break.
"The sessions that they're going to be asked to do are going to be solid," Misson told the Melbourne website.
"The days in between the training sessions are their own, so it gives them a chance to relax with family.
"But the sessions are pretty structured, and they're going to have to send through feedback from those sessions, as well as reach some targets when they come back.
"We're going to know who's done it and who hasn't."
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