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Full Noise by SN
Important update on 1476AMAFL legend & Crows great Ricciuto calls for Gather Round moderation and respect
Drinkwise • April 8th, 2026 9:59 am
With footy fever building ahead of the 2026 Gather Round this weekend, DrinkWise has joined forces with former footy legend Mark Ricciuto, the South Australian Government, South Australia Police, Adelaide Metro and key support services – including 1800RESPECT, No to Violence - Men’s Referral Service and 13YARN – to remind the community about the importance of moderating their alcohol consumption and showing respect for others during the upcoming matches.
As thousands of passionate footy fans descend on Adelaide for Gather Round, Brownlow Medallist and dual premiership player and captain Mark Ricciuto is backing the Always respect, always DrinkWise campaign, encouraging fans to embrace the atmosphere and if they choose to drink, to do so responsibly.
“Footy brings big energy, big crowds, big passion and big moments. I’ve seen firsthand through my playing career and my time at the Club how much a great crowd can lift a game, but I’ve also seen how quickly a good day can go the wrong way and things can get out of hand. Running pubs has only reinforced for me how important it is to enjoy yourself responsibly. The best nights are the ones you remember for the right reasons,” says Ricciuto.
“Gather Round is one of the best weekends on the footy calendar. It’s about barracking for your team, soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying every moment that makes footy unforgettable. If you’re having a drink, pace yourself, look out for your family, your mates and respect everyone around you. That’s how we make sure everyone has a great time and gets home safely.”
DrinkWise Chief Executive Officer, Simon Strahan, highlighted that responsible drinking among footy fans is steadily on the rise.
“Our latest research shows that 94% of AFL fans surveyed agree it’s important that people drink alcohol responsibly when attending events and more than half believe people at sporting events are more likely to drink responsibly than previous generations. Importantly, 86% of AFL fans said they don’t feel any pressure to drink at sporting events, so it’s clear that attitudes are shifting in the right direction with fans prioritising a respectful and enjoyable game-day experience.
“Reminders are always important, however, with 31% of AFL fans saying they’ve sometimes gotten caught up in the excitement of major sporting events and consumed more alcohol than intended.“The Always respect, always DrinkWise campaign is here to encourage fans to enjoy the footy responsibly, whether at the ground, a pub or at home. We don’t want to moderate the excitement of Gather Round, but we do want fans to moderate their drinking and make sure they look out for everyone around them,” concluded Strahan.
South Australia Police Officer in Charge of Traffic Services Branch, Superintendent Shane Johnson said: “South Australia Police will have a strong presence at Adelaide Oval, Norwood Oval, and Barossa Park, as well as on surrounding roads to help keep fans and the community safe.
We want everyone to enjoy Gather Round, and we will be on the lookout for antisocial behaviour and drink or drug driving. If you’re planning to have some drinks while watching the game, then you need to make the safe choice and either use the free public transport or organise a designated driver ahead of time.”
The Always respect, always DrinkWise campaign will be highly visible in the lead-up to and throughout Gather Round, reaching fans across Adelaide through multiple channels. A mobile messaging truck will appear in high-traffic locations and near the city centre and near game venues to spread the moderation message directly to fans. At Adelaide Oval, where DrinkWise has partnered with the venue, moderation messages will be displayed throughout licensed areas, including digital signage, beer taps and payment points, encouraging fans who choose to drink to do so responsibly while fully enjoying every moment of the action. Social media will amplify the campaign further, with posts shared via the South Australian Government (THINK! Road Safety and Adelaide Metro), South Australia Police, DrinkWise, 1800RESPECT, No to Violence - Men’s Referral Service and 13YARN.
Liquor retail stores and hotel venues will feature campaign messaging, supported by Coles Liquor, Endeavour Group, Retail Drinks Australia members and the Australian Hotels Association South Australia, while radio station SEN will also increase DrinkWise moderation messaging throughout its Gather Round coverage.
In addition, Australian Grape & Wine, South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA), Coonawarra Vignerons and Barossa Australia are helping to spread DrinkWise’s Stay tasteful while tasting messaging across South Australian winery cellar doors, ensuring the moderation message reaches visitors throughout the region.
If you or someone you know needs assistance managing their alcohol consumption, please visit DrinkWise.org.au for a range of support services.
· If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit https://1800respect.org.au/for online chat and video call services.· If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit www.ntv.org.au· If you or someone you know is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are feeling overwhelmed or having difficulty coping, call 13YARN on 13 92 76 or visit 13yarn.org.au
To find out more about the Always respect, always DrinkWise campaign or the work DrinkWise is doing as part of efforts to create a safer and healthier drinking culture in Australia please visit www.drinkwise.org.au.
