AFL warns on 'ton' crowd invasions

THE AFL has warned spectators not to run onto the field to celebrate the possible 100-goal milestones of Lance Franklin and Brendan Fevola and has threatened fines and evictions to fans who practice the traditional ground invasion.

"We advise everyone to stay off the ground because you can be evicted and also face heavy fines," AFL spokesperson Patrick Keane told Melbourne's Herald Sun.

Buddy Franklin needs just nine more goals to clinch the ton while Fevola is sitting on 84 goals with three rounds left to play. If either reaches the mark, it will be the first time a player has kicked 100 goals in the home and away season since Tony Lockett in 1998.

However the AFL fears for safety if supporters emulate the celebrations which occurred after Plugger's milestone.

"It's for the safety of both players and supporters. We would say to everyone, stay off the ground," Keane said.

However Essendon star forward Matthew Lloyd has said he relished the celebrations which followed his 100-goal milestones in 2000 and 2001.

"I actually loved it," he told the Herald Sun.

"I had my brothers run out and I saw the guys I played junior footy with, went to school with, the high fives; I got right into it.

"The funniest one was against Richmond the second year (qualifying final 2001). My brothers jumped the fence; Matt Tilley was out there on the ground from Fox FM. That year a security guard grabbed one person out of the thousands running on to the ground and it was my brother Simon. They wouldn't' let him go.

"Brad had missed the first one and said 'I'm not going to miss this one', but Simon missed the second time."

However Lloyd said he understood why the AFL was eager to make a stance on traditional celebrations.

"It was claustrophobic, but you're with 17 of your mates, and they were excited as I was. We were just jumping on top of each other.

"I can understand why they're (the AFL) are doing what they're doing because it only takes one person to do something silly. But if you could guarantee something wasn't going to happen, I'd be all for people running out."

Lloyd did admit there were negatives to the ground invasions, with additional pressure on the kick to secure 100 and opposition team members being taunted by supporters.

"It was a more daunting kick because you could see people ready to go… you were just hoping you didn't miss," he said.

"I saw people having a go at the opposition both times, so it's hard."