A Swans fan who hurled a bottle at Hawks star Nick Watson has been delt a massive punishment by the AFL.
Watson engaged in a sledging match with Swans fans after the Hawks bested them 99 – 82 last Thursday at the MCG.
He told Nova 100’s Jason & Lauren the following morning a fan had thrown a bottle on to the field, which narrowly missed striking him.
“It just landed right next to us, lucky it didn’t hit any players,” Watson said.
“I was giving (the Swans fans) heaps, but I am not sure a Coke Zero bottle to the face would have been nice.”
Images released by the Herald Sun show the Coke bottle sailing over Watson’s head.
The AFL confirmed they had identified the bottle thrower in a statement on Monday.
“The AFL confirms the patron that threw a soft drink bottle onto the field towards Hawthorn players at the conclusion of the Hawthorn vs. Sydney Swans match has been given a five-year ban,” an AFL spokesperson said.
The patron, a Victorian based Sydney Swans supporter, has also had their membership cancelled by the club.
AFL Head of Security Tony Keane condemned the actions of the Swans supporter.
“Footy fans are the best fans in the world, but throwing objects at players will never be acceptable and if caught, you will lose the privilege of being able to attend the footy for a period of time,” he said.
Originally published as ‘Never acceptable’: Swans fan banned for five years after throwing bottle at Hawks star Nick Watson
