About 6000 people watched last year’s MPNFL grand final at Berwick and police nabbed several people for unruly behaviour. This weekend’s crowd at Berwick will be unable to buy and and consume alcohol in the outer.By Callan Date
FOOTBALL fans won’t be allowed to drink alcohol in the outer at this Sunday’s MPNFL finals at Berwick.
A bungled liquor licence application has resulted in Edwin Flack Reserve being declared a grog-free zone during the first week of Casey-Cardinia finals that will involve Narre Warren and Keysborough in the senior qualifying match.
Serious doubts have also been cast over the sale of alcohol at the three remaining finals at Berwick, including the league’s showcase Grand Final on 13 September.
Only fans that gain entry into the Berwick Football Club social rooms will be able buy and drink alcohol legally.
Club president Peter Jensen said the club was partly to blame for the refusal of the liquor licence.
“We were supposed to have it (liquor application) in a certain amount of time before the event,” he said.
“But we didn’t know what day the finals were going to be played at Berwick until a few weeks ago.”
Alcohol at local football finals has been hotly debated since a spike in under age drinking marred previous finals events.
Police made three arrests at last year’s Grand Final after a brawl broke out in the crowd.
A spokeswoman for liquor licensing said the club’s application was refused because it failed to lodge the paperwork at least 10 days prior to the event.
She said no decision had been made about the availability of alcohol at Edwin Flack Reserve’s remaining finals matches.
“An application is currently being processed and has been referred to Victoria Police and the local council as required by law,” she said.
Club president Jensen said trying to get a licence was a bureaucratic nightmare.
“We will be lucky to get the licence to sell alcohol during the other three weeks of finals as well.
“We have tried every avenue. We have gone to liquor licensing and they have told us several different things.
“It’s absolutely petty. If it was a major event like the Grand Prix they would be able to get the application through in time.”
