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The Live Sport Bible is here!Is fan "intimidation factor" a security risk for AFL coaches?
SEN • June 5th, 2026 2:40 pm
Coaches having to walk past opposition fan groups mid-match has become the topic of debate after vision of Chris Scott being abused by Crows fans was shared on Thursday night.
At three-quarter time in what would end as a one-point defeat for the Cats, Scott was seen glaring in the direction of a group of supporters as he made his way to address his team.
Whatever was said to the Geelong coach, he did not engage verbally but it was something he raised with security after the fact.
“This is one of the best stadiums in the world – I love it – (but) no, it’s an oversight that the coaches should have to walk through the crowd,” Scott said in his post-game press conference.
“I don’t want to do it at any ground.”
Asked if he had copped verbal abuse he added: “Of course (they said something)… They’re nuffies. But that’s OK.”
The glaring oversight at the Oval caught the attention of Kane Cornes as discussion on Friday morning turned to whether coaches should be exposed to this kind of environment.
“For the coaches walking through the crowd, it’s not ideal,” Cornes said on SEN's Fireball.
“There’s nothing you can do about it, the only thing you can do is surround the coaches with security guards. It doesn’t stop the abuse. You’re an AFL coach you’re going to get people abusing you.”
It’s not the first time such an incident has occurred at Adelaide Oval and won’t be the last.
But it’s something Bulldogs assistant coach, Daniel Pratt, said unfortunately comes with the territory of working in footy.
But it’s something Bulldogs assistant coach, Daniel Pratt, said unfortunately comes with the territory of working in footy.
“Adelaide is the unique venue that you have to walk through the opposition crowd,” he told SEN Breakfast. “You do get feedback along the way.
“I know Chris hasn’t been a fan of that. You don’t want any coaches to be subjected to abuse. I get told a lot what I should be doing. But Adelaide is one place where the intimidation factor can come in.”
