Adelaide’s Ben Keays’ cult figure status went to another level on Friday night, channelling his inner Andrew Symonds to bring down a selfish on-field intruder in bizarre, jarring scenes at Adelaide Oval.
Crows and Cats players were competing for the ball midway through the third term when a fan ran out onto field mid-play with a security guard in pursuit.
Umpires blew their whistles to stop the play as the fan made brief contact with Crows veteran Brodie Smith.
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“We’ve got to stop this game … there’s an idiot out there on the field,” Channel 7 commentator James Brayshaw said.
“It’s just amazing to think that’s something you’d ever do.”
AFL Nation commentator Gerard Whateley added: “I can’t think of a moment like that in footy for many a year, where an intruder has got at the players.”
Crows on-baller Matt Crouch then grabbed the intruder by the shirt but was urged by umpires to let him go. But seconds later, Keays humbled the fan and sent him to the ground, prompting a big cheer from the crowd as security guards pounced.
Keays, who’s thrived at Adelaide since his move from the Brisbane Lions at the end of 2019, won wide plaudits from fans and commentators.
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