Bottle throwers face five-year bans after Lions edge Hawks in prelim

Bottle throwers face minimum five-year bans after umpires were targeted at the MCG following Brisbane's nine-point win over Hawthorn.

The Lions beat the Hawks in Saturday night's preliminary final at the MCG. The winner goes straight to the Grand Final. The loser goes home.

Brisbane is through. Hawthorn is out. The margin was nine points.

The finish was tight and loud. In the last minute, Hawthorn defender Jarman Impey was penalised for holding the ball, which means a player caught with the ball must dispose of it correctly or give it away. Brisbane midfielder Hugh McCluggage then kicked the goal that put the Lions in front for good, according to ABC News.

Anger spilled over at the siren. Hawthorn players James Sicily, Tom Barrass and Jack Ginnivan had a heated conversation with the umpires immediately after full time.

Then objects came from the stands. Bottles were thrown at the umpires as they walked off the playing arena. Cups were thrown as well, and the AFL later published video footage of the incident.

The AFL condemned the behaviour. The league said AFL and MCC security will work with Victoria Police to identify those responsible, as reported by AFL.

If found, they will be banned. The AFL said offenders will be banned from games and the stadium for a minimum of five years.

Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said after the match he was aware bottles had been thrown onto the ground. He slammed the fans involved, according to Nine.

Condemnation kept coming on Sunday. Victorian Premier Ben Carroll said the behaviour was not the "Victorian way" and offenders should be made an example of. AFL Fans Association president Ron Issko also denounced Hawthorn supporters who threw bottles or cans at umpires.

For fans, this means a close final will now be remembered for two things. The late call, and what followed it.

Brisbane coach Chris Fagan backed the decisive free kick as "an OK decision", according to AFL. The Lions move on to the Grand Final. The investigation into the stands continues.