The dark side of the Grand Final revealed: Why the AFL and NRL’s biggest games are an absolute nightmare for many Australians

Specialist domestic violence services reported a 40 per cent increase in demand for support during the AFL and NRL finals last year, with experts warning that support services could be ‘busy’ ahead of the 2024 finals.

Berry Street, a Victoria-based family violence support organisation, reported a 30 to 40 per cent increase in demand compared to last year’s AFL and NRL Grand Final weekend.

Berry Street director Heidi Reid said the “marked increase” continued in the days following the Grand Final, as well as during other major sporting events including the Melbourne Cup.

“It’s not like there’s no violence and then after the grand finale there’s violence,” Ms Reid said.

“It’s about further increasing the violence that is already happening.”

A study by La Trobe University found that domestic violence increased by more than 40 percent during State of Origin matches in NSW. Reports also increased during other major sporting events, including the AFL Grand Final.

With the AFL Grand Final just days away, Dr Kirsty Forsdike, associate dean of La Trobe Rural Health School, warned that support services could be “under pressure” over the next two weeks.

“Services will likely be under pressure for days. It doesn’t necessarily have to be just on the day of the event,” Dr. Forsdike said, noting that this doesn’t necessarily mean just the police.

Reports of domestic violence increase dramatically during football finals (pictured are AFL finals teams Sydney and Brisbane facing off in July)

One family violence service reported a 30 to 40 per cent increase in demand compared to last year’s AFL and NRL Grand Final weekend (pictured are NRL Grand Final contenders Melbourne and Penrith in action last month)

“We’re talking about primary care providers, domestic violence services, helplines… It’s about being aware that this problem is coming.”

A Victoria Police spokesperson confirmed that police are “seeing an increase in reports of domestic violence during major sporting events and on public holidays”.

“We know that major sporting events can cause a number of stressors in relationships, potentially increasing the risk of domestic abuse,” the spokesperson said.

“These events provide families, including those in families who don’t see each other often, with the opportunity to come together. This can lead to increased contact and increased opportunities for stress and conflict.”

Police confirm increase in reports of domestic violence during major sporting events (stock image)

The spokesperson said a greater likelihood of alcohol use during major sporting events could be contributing to the increase in reports of domestic abuse.

“It is important to emphasise that there is never an excuse for domestic violence,” the spokesperson said.

“It can happen at any time and affect anyone.”

The spokesman said police had “sufficient resources to support victims and survivors and hold perpetrators to account”. He urged people experiencing domestic abuse to seek help from police or emergency services.

NSW police declined to comment.

Activists have called for State of Origin to be banned for the same reason, with detailed research showing that the matches are associated with a large increase in domestic violence crimes.

MFW – which has over 60,000 followers on X – posted the following message during one of this year’s matches: ‘I hope everyone enjoys the State of Origin match, but please forgive us if we feel it should be banned until the lads get their act together.’

The tweet then included alarming statistics showing that on average, there is a 40 percent increase in domestic violence incidents on State of Origin nights.

This claim is supported by research from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics. The Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education states that the abuse occurs between 6pm and 6am, during the broadcast of Origin.

LOOK FOR THE SIGNS

Ms Reid admitted that gambling and alcohol “certainly play a role” as they can create “very unstable environments” by “lowering individuals’ inhibitions”.

She urged people to pay attention to behavioral changes, as coercive control is just one factor in domestic violence.

“Watch for signs that someone is not okay, that someone may not be feeling safe, that someone is behaving differently than normal, that someone is trying to control someone else’s behavior,” she said.

“It’s not just about the physical response, coercive control is really about someone trying to control, humiliate, shame someone else in some way. So those are the things we need to look for.”

Heidi Reid (pictured), director of Berry Street, said gambling and alcohol were contributing to the rise in domestic abuse as they could create “really explosive environments”.

Support services could come under ‘strain’ as the AFL and NRL hold their most important games of the season, according to Dr Kirsty Forsdike, a senior lecturer at La Trobe University

Ms Reid also said it was important to ask women who may be experiencing violence questions in a “non-judgemental way”.

She said domestic violence often remains hidden until it “reaches extreme proportions.” She noted that while the number of 60 women killed by predominantly male violence this year (according to Sherele Moody’s Femicide Watch) is deeply troubling, there are also many women who experience non-fatal violence.

“We are seeing an increase in the number of women who are seriously injured and even developing CTE,” she said.

‘When we speak to colleagues in the sector, not only are we concerned about the increasing numbers of deaths from domestic abuse, but we are also seeing more and more women coming forward with very serious, life-threatening and life-changing injuries.’

‘NO ONE ELSE IS TO BLAME FOR YOUR BEHAVIOR’

Phillip Ripper, CEO of No To Violence, said the increase in calls to emergency services around major sporting events was “concerning” and sent a clear message to men that “no one else is to blame” for their behaviour.

“What we say to men is: plan your evening, plan your weekend, limit your alcohol or drug use if you have a history of violence or aggression or if you are involved in sporting events and alcohol,” Ripper said.

‘Find a safe place to do this, where your behavior will not affect your family members. And remember that your choices are always your choices: no one else is responsible for your behavior.

‘If you are worried about your behaviour, or the impact you may be having on your partner or children, seek help now. Pick up the phone, contact the Men’s Referral Service (1300 766 491) and speak to a trained counsellor who can provide you with strategies to help you manage your behaviour and make better choices.’

Ripper says there is a spike in calls to the men’s referral service in the days following major sporting events, after men have ‘reflected on their behaviour’.

He explained that the referral service will first ensure the man’s family and children are safe, before ‘supporting him in his journey to change and providing him with immediate counselling’.

“The number of men calling us continues to grow every year as more men become aware of the impact their behaviour has on their families and as more men seek to improve their lives and those of their families,” Ripper said.