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On the other hand, a highly-publicised street brawl involving supposed supporters of both clubs and the use of flares and firecrackers coming from the away section have given the wider media a license to have a free swing at Australian football. This wouldn't be the first time but it's arguably the first time that nobody could blame them.
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During the game, the away section set off flares and firecrackers, both of which are banned from A-League events, after Brendon Santalab's goal broke the deadlock for the Wanderers in the 71st minute.
Members of the Red and Black Brigade have since taken responsibility for their part in the brawl and their in-game actions, gloating about bringing atmosphere to the game on social media and claiming that they were simply defending themselves. As this video clearly shows, apparently defending yourself means standing tall and chanting.
The Victory's dominant active supporter group, the Northern Terrace, was not in attendance due to protesting against the club. It has not been confirmed where the Victory side of the brawlers originated from.
Both incidents have already been heavily criticised in the media and you can't help but say that it is all completely justified. Fighting is unacceptable and it is clearly stated that flares and firecrackers are not permitted at games. Unfortunately, there are those out there that still are still incapable of acting like decent human beings.
As is the case with most sports, there is a select group of supposed supporters that take sport as a justification for violence and uncivilised behaviour. All Australian sports have these people; some Collingwood fans hate Carlton fans, some Sydney Roosters fans hate South Sydney Rabbitohs fans, sometimes the two parties get violent towards one another. The difference is that the violent groups of people involved in other codes don't have a stereotype for those that are lacking in brain power to look to as football does.
As sad as it is, there are football fans that believe what they see in such films as Green Street Hooligans, Cass and The Football Factory is acceptable behaviour. These people have the belief that their warped understanding of passion is an acceptable reason to hurl glasses, throw chairs, light firecrackers or flares and throw punches at opposing fans.
They are not passionate and they are not true fans, they are quite simply thugs in football kits looking for a reason to justify their deep-seeded violent sides by taking advantage of a stereotype.
Possibly the most unfortunate thing is that both the Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers' dominant supporter groups work hard to create an environment that is safe and open to all that want to go to games, sing and dance for 90 minutes and then go home. The brawl was likely instigated by offshoot Victory and chime-alone travelling Wanderers halfwit morons with little connection to their respective clubs that are attempting to flex their superiority through their ridiculous "ultra" mindset.
Australian football will be hurting from these incidents for some time and there is little that can be done to fix the damage. The A-League is already fighting a battle against the rest of Australia, including the media, to establish itself not only as a growing competition but as a comp that provides an environment that is safe for supporters. That battle is made all the more difficult when people who claim to be supporters are willingly doing damage to both their club and the A-League.