Former Canberra Raiders star Mark McLinden was arrested by NSW Police after invading the pitch during Sunday’s NRL grand final between Parramatta and Penrith.
McLinden jumped the fence and onto the playing field at Accor Stadium during the second half. He wore a yellow shirt with the words “End coal, gas & oil” on the front. “For our kids” was written on the back.
Former Canberra Raiders star Mark McLinden invaded the pitch as an environmental protest.Credit:Getty and NRL Photos
McLinden, wearing Adidas football boots for grip, ran to the southern end of the ground and ripped off the Telstra advertising from a pad on the goal post.
He then stepped past several security guards and tried to rip the other Telstra sign from the adjacent pad.
In attempting to avoid security guards, McLinden sprinted towards the other end of the field where Parramatta were attacking Penrith’s goal line.
He got 20m downfield before he was tackled by a security guard, who escorted him from the field.
While he was being removed, McLinden tugged his shirt down to reveal the message on the front.
“A 43-year-old man from Mullumbimby was arrested after he allegedly entered the southern end of the playing field and dragged one of the pads from a goal post,” a police statement said.
“He was removed from the field by security before being arrested by police; he has been issued with an infringement notice for enter competition playing field.”
McLinden was fined $5000 and received a ban from attending matches.
The special Macs: Andrew McFadden, left, and Mark McLinden during their playing days at the Raiders.Credit:Fairfax Media
McLinden, who was known as one half of the “Mac Attack” with halves partner Andrew McFadden, played seven NRL seasons for the Raiders between 1998 and 2004. He played 165 games, scoring 65 tries in his NRL career.
McLinden later moved to the Super League, where he spent four seasons with London Broncos and Harlequins.
He finished his career playing three matches for the Queensland Reds in the Super Rugby competition.
Earlier in the year, an activist with a lit flare who invaded a Sharks-Tigers game at Cronulla was jailed.
Protester Andy George was sentenced to three months in jail after running onto the field at PointsBet Stadium.Credit:Getty
Andy George pleaded guilty in Sutherland Local Court in April to entering enclosed land without a lawful excuse and possessing a bright light distress signal in a public place. He was jailed for three months.
During the game, George was among four protesters who rushed onto the field at Shark Park. He ran straight towards the Tigers players, who were midway through a set of six.
Play was paused for several minutes as he was tackled, while orange smoke billowed from the flare.
The majority of fans at Accor Stadium for the Eels-Panthers grand final were well-behaved. Police refused one person entry and ejected seven. Seven people were arrested on the night.
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