Investigation in place after Hawks star Nick Watson accuses Swans fans of throwing bottles of soft drink on field
Updated . First published
Hawks livewire Nick Watson has accused Swans supporters of throwing bottles of soft drink on the field in a heated finish to Thursday night's game at the MCG.
The AFL, the MCG and Victoria Police have teamed up following Hawthorn's 17-point win to investigate the incident, but the governing body said the alleged perpetrator was not a member of the Sydney cheer squad and their identity remained unknown.
Watson booted a goal after the siren to close out a 14.15 (99) to 13.4 (82) win, before turning to Swans fans and giving them a gobful.
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The Swans fans Watson was engaging with were giving him the finger and gesturing with uppercuts.
"They were throwing Coke Zero cans out there ... I saw one just go straight past me," Watson told Nova 100 radio on Friday.
Nick Watson fires up at Swans fans after the game and (right) a bottle of soft drink is seen on the ground. Fox Footy
"I dunno what happened with the guy but ... it just landed right next to us.
"Lucky it didn't hit any players, but yeah, a few players saw it.
"I mean, I was giving them heaps, but I'm not sure a Coke Zero bottle to the face in return would've been nice."
The AFL confirmed with Wide World of Sports an investigation was under way.
"The AFL is working with the MCG to investigate the matter," AFL spokesperson Jay Allen said.
"A patron threw a soft drink bottle at the final siren towards Hawthorn players.
"The alleged offender was not from the Swans cheer squad and his identity is currently unknown.
"We have the best fans in the world, but throwing objects at players will never be acceptable and if caught you will lose the privilege of being able to attend the footy.
"Victoria Police will now investigate the matter with assistance from the MCG, which will provide all relevant information."
Hawthorn players walk off the field after the win over Sydney. Getty
Watson often has colourful exchanges with crowds.
He is one of the most entertaining small forwards, and animated personalities, in the league.
"It's good for the game. I feel like people like it," Watson said.
"Sometimes in a close game like that it's a bit of fun."
Watson was involved in a string of dramas on Thursday night.
In addition to booting a post-siren goal and clashing with Swans supporters, he shrugged off an upper-leg scare and was levelled by a teammate.
Hawthorn fans were made to hold their collective breath midway through the third term when Watson hobbled from the field with an apparent hamstring issue, but he did some run-throughs and returned.
Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell said in his post-game press conference that Watson had actually encountered a hip problem.
He was injected back into the game late in the third quarter and quickly found himself flat on his back.
He won the ball in congestion at half-forward and was levelled from the opposite direction by teammate Jai Newcombe, whose right shoulder hit Watson flush in the head.
Hawthorn won the game despite having trailed at every change.
At 34, three-time premiership-winning Hawk Jack Gunston had another stellar late-career match, kicking four goals including two in the fourth quarter.
The Swans were missing All-Australian midfielders Isaac Heeney and Errol Gulden, with Heeney recovering from a hamstring injury and the latter sidelined for about four months after dislocating a shoulder.
A crowd of 47,945 packed in to watch the heavyweight Thursday night clash.
