Adelaide midfielder Matt Crouch is at the centre of a police investigation after an altercation with a Port Adelaide fan.
An incident occurred as the Crows players were walking off the field after a fiery Showdown with the Power on Saturday night.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Adelaide player at centre of police investigation after fan altercation.
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Crouch took exception to a Power fan hurling abuse at the Crows players as they were walking down the race.
The 29-year-old allegedly reacted by knocking the fan’s hat off his head as he walked past.
While the incident itself wasn’t caught by the broadcast cameras, the moments immediately after were.
The fan involved can be seen complaining to Crows coaches and staff, before putting his cap back on his head.
“It’s one I can’t comment around, there’s an investigation going on at the moment, but Matt has got our full support,” Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks said on Wednesday.
Police confirmed an investigation is underway and are urging anyone with any information on the incident to come forward.
“It’s a hard one … the reason that we, I guess, allow fans close to the boundary line is for those kids that just love footy,” Nicks said.
“They have idols and they have heroes and they want to come down and get amongst it and (take) selfies and that’s the really positive part of our game that we love.”
Asked if a proverbial line had been crossed, Nicks replied: “It’s just passion for sport. It was a big week, a big Showdown.”
“We played against a side that were playing for top two, top four, playing for finals; the competition is so tight so it was a huge game,” he said.
“And with that comes an intensity, the intensity I think we all enjoy and love.
“When adrenaline is pumping and emotions are high, sometimes we can overstep the line and it can happen to anyone.
“Yeah, some could argue there was a little bit of that on the night.”
It capped off a fiery night in which tempers flared between players on-field after Port Adelaide star Dan Houston flattened Adelaide’s Izak Rankine with a crunching hit.
Houston was sent straight to the tribunal, where he was slapped with a five-game ban, meaning he will not play again this year, even if Port Adelaide make it all the way to the grand final.
There is also a chance Houston — who reportedly wants out from the club despite being under contract — has played his last game for Port.
Port Adelaide wanted a three-match ban but the AFL argued for five, while accepting Houston was very remorseful.
With only one game remaining in the home and away season, and Port Adelaide set to finish in the top four, Houston could only have made an appearance in the grand final with a suspension of four matches or less.
But even then he would have needed his side to lose a qualifying final and play the extra game in week two of the finals on the way to the big dance.
Sadly for him, there is no chance of that happening now, unless Port Adelaide appeal.
Houston read from a prepared statement to the tribunal before proceedings started.
“I regret my decision to bump Izak and I’m very sorry for the injury my decision caused,” he said.
“I remember the ball coming in my direction after Keane’s double-fisted spoil. My first thought was to get the ball myself.
“I recall seeing Rankine when I was within a metre or so of him. I don’t remember making the decision to bump. It is clear from the film that I did make that decision. I never meant to hurt Izak, let alone concuss him.
“I don’t believe I made any contact at all with Izak’s head, neck or top of his shoulders, but I accept that my bump caused his head to hit the ground, and because of that, this is classified as high contact.
“At the time, I didn’t see his head hit the ground because I was watching the ball. I don’t know why I didn’t tackle. In the past, this has been my first instinct. I don’t know why I decided to bump because I can’t remember making that decision because it all happened so quickly.
“I reached out to Izak after the game and apologised. I want to formally apologise again now.
“I like to think that I’m a fair player. I have never been suspended before. I’ve been an AFL player for nine years.
“I’ve played in many finals, but never in a grand final. Losing the opportunity to play in a grand final would be crushing to me.”
– with AAP
