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Richmond fans celebrate 2020 AFL premiership in lockdown Melbourne

Gus McCubbingAAP
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VideoA man was arrested in Swan St after Richmond beat Geelong in the 2020 Grand Final

Melbourne’s harsh coronavirus restrictions were not enough to stop hundreds of Richmond fans gathering in the club’s heartland to celebrate their third AFL premiership in four years.

One Tigers fan was arrested for drunken behaviour after he was seen yelling and antagonising police.

The man was cuffed by a team of officers as he yelled at them he was from Richmond.

Police detain a Tigers supporter before releasing him on Swan Street in Richmond, Melbourne, Saturday, October 24, 2020. Richmond have defeated Geelong by 31 points in Saturday's AFL grand final to win a third flag in four years. (AAP Image/Erik Anderson) NO ARCHIVING
Camera IconPolice detain a Tigers supporter before releasing him on Swan Street in Richmond, Melbourne, Saturday, October 24, 2020. Richmond have defeated Geelong by 31 points in Saturday's AFL grand final to win a third flag in four years. (AAP Image/Erik Anderson) NO ARCHIVING Credit: AAPIMAGE

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In a separate incident 12 people were fined following a private house party in Cremorne.

The owner was slapped with a $5000 penalty, as a total of 42 fines were handed out for breaching the chief health officer directions across the state.

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But a Victoria Police spokeswoman said authorities were happy with the behaviour of about 200 people who celebrated in Swan Street after Richmond defeated Geelong by 31 points to claim its third premiership in four years.

“They were in smaller groups and compliant with the CHO directions,” she said in a statement on Sunday.

Police completed 2025 vehicle checks and 1166 spot checks on people at homes, businesses and public places.

Richmond Tiger fans react along Swan street in Richmond, Melbourne, {iptcdow}, {iptcmonthname} {iptcday}, {iptcyear4}. The Richmond Tigers take on the Geelong Cats in today’s historic AFL grand final in Brisbane. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING
Camera IconRichmond Tiger fans react along Swan street in Richmond, Melbourne, {iptcdow}, {iptcmonthname} {iptcday}, {iptcyear4}. The Richmond Tigers take on the Geelong Cats in today’s historic AFL grand final in Brisbane. (AAP Image/James Ross) NO ARCHIVING Credit: AAPIMAGE

Richmond coach Damien Hardwick branded the club’s latest premiership “extra significant” because of the hurdles they overcame to get there.

The Tigers left locked-down Victoria in July to continue the season and spent more than 100 days in interstate hubs.

And they progressed through the finals the ’hard way’, bouncing back with three straight wins after losing their qualifying final.

Hardwick, who has coached 11 seasons, said the latest triumph would have a special place in his heart after the breakthrough premiership in 2017 and a second flag last year.

Tigers coach Damien Hardwick is seen following the AFL Grand Final
Camera IconTigers coach Damien Hardwick is seen following the AFL Grand Final Credit: DAVE HUNT/AAPIMAGE

“They’re all different but this one I think is extra significant,” Hardwick said.

“What we had to go through to get here, we had 100-odd days in a hub, how hard the AFL and Queensland government and the people in Victoria did it, it was just an enormous achievement.

“To sit there and see where we were at the start of the year and where we ended up is just significant.”

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