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AAP
AAP
National
Callum Godde

Police praise fan behaviour as Magpies bask in AFL flag

Police have praised the behaviour of Collingwood and Brisbane fans at the AFL grand final. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)

Only a fraction of spectators were booted out of the AFL grand final, with police praising the behaviour of Collingwood and Brisbane fans.

In front of a crowd of more than 100,000 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday, Collingwood notched a record-equalling 16th AFL/VFL premiership with a nail-biting four-point win.

Thousands more watched the match from live sites at Melbourne Park, Yarra Park, Federation Square and Collingwood's Olympic Park training ground.

The Magpie army flocked to Smith Street in Collingwood and Swan Street in Richmond to celebrate, singing and chanting into the evening.

Victoria Police said crowd behaviour at the decider was overwhelmingly positive, with about 17 people evicted.

"The evictions were for enter without a ticket, drunk, fail to leave venue after being directed to do so by an authorised officer and enter field of play," a police spokeswoman said on Sunday.

"The overwhelming majority of footy goers supported their team in a safe and responsible manner."

Hundreds of officers patrolled the Richmond and Collingwood areas throughout the day and night, keeping fans on their toes.

A small number of incidents required officers to step in but police said most people enjoyed their night in the right spirit.

"Victoria Police will continue to have a strong presence in the community as the long weekend comes to a close, particularly on the roads as holiday makers return home," the police spokeswoman said.

Saturday's victory was Collingwood's first flag since 2010 and took the Magpies level with Carlton and Essendon for the most premierships in AFL/VFL history.

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