Nick Riewoldt Steps In After Fan Throws Phone at Riley Green During Melbourne Concert
AFL great and Channel 7 commentator Nick Riewoldt has detailed his involvement in a disturbing incident at a Riley Green concert over the weekend, where he assisted in evicting a fan who threw a phone at the country singer.
The ugly scene unfolded at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne on Saturday night during Green's sold-out performance. Near the end of the show, a fan launched a phone that struck Green in the side of the head, leaving him bloodied.
Green immediately halted the concert, requesting the house lights be turned on and directing security to remove the individual, which was met with loud boos from the audience.
Riewoldt's Firsthand Account of the Incident
Riewoldt, who was attending the event, shared his perspective on Triple M's Mick in the Morning, revealing he was standing directly behind the fan when the attack occurred.
"I saw this happen, it unfolded right in front of me," Riewoldt said. "We wanted to be as close to the stage as possible. I pegged this bloke early on as being a real problem. He was a loose cannon with big energy vibes."
He described the fan as someone who had earlier asked for a photo with him but then began making derogatory comments. During the concert, the fan was filming Riewoldt and uttering offensive remarks, making many in the crowd aware of his disruptive behavior.
"Eventually, the second to last song finishes and out of nowhere he has launched his phone at Riley Green," Riewoldt continued. "It was like he was trying to throw the stumps down from mid-wicket. It was an amazing throw from about 10-15 meters away that smashed Green in the side of the head."
Immediate Response and Security Action
Riewoldt explained that the sudden attack took everyone by surprise. He quickly grabbed the fan to prevent further escalation.
"I was standing right behind him, so I sort of grabbed him," he said. "Riley Green handled it pretty amazingly; he just said 'can we get the lights on'. I waved and pointed the guy out, and within three seconds security came. They whisked him away."
He humorously noted that Green might have appreciated the dramatic effect of blood on his face, but the singer showed resilience by completing the performance despite the injury.
Riley Green's Reaction and Social Media Post
After the incident, Riley Green finished his set and later took to social media to share photos from the night. He captioned the post with a light-hearted remark, "Ole buddy bout ran outta anytime minutes last night… but a hell of a time was had," indicating he took the blow in stride.
This event highlights ongoing concerns about fan behavior at live events, with Riewoldt's intervention underscoring the importance of crowd safety and quick security responses.
