FORMER St Kilda coach Grant Thomas says “it’s a disgrace” that the fan who heckled Richmond’s Damien Hardwick on Thursday night had his driver’s license and membership card taken from him momentarily, if claims about what the man said are true.

Thomas said Hardwick “should be fined for preciousness” after he was involved in an incident while walking down the Adelaide Oval grandstand steps following his side’s loss to the Crows.

Video of the incident shows the middle-aged fan, who was sitting with two friends, leaning across and saying something to Hardwick as the premiership coach walked past, drawing a strong response from Hardwick.

Witnesses told News Corp that the Crows member allegedly said to the Tigers coach: “Not so funny now you are not at the MCG, hey buddy?”

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Upon reading the claims, Thomas took to social media to vent his frustration at the reaction from Hardwick and the police officer.

“Pleaseeeee. If this is true it’s a disgrace,” Thomas said on Twitter.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THOMAS’ FULL SET OF TWEETS BELOW

“AFLCA say coaches deserve the right to walk through crowds without being heckled. I think they deserve the right to show their maturity and control, put a smile on their face and keep walking. WTF do they think they are. Harden up.

“If these are the facts Dimma should be fined for preciousness. Surely there was more to it?”

Security staff accompany coaches as they walk through crowds at matches.

Three years ago, Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson had a scuffle with a Port Adelaide fan in the wake of a match at Adelaide Oval.

As a result of that incident, the AFL recommended that coaches take the team bus to their hotel after Adelaide games.

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire told Fox Footy on Thursday night that coaches shouldn’t have to walk through or past the public to gain on-ground or rooms access.

But Thomas said implementing that was “rubbish”.

“Fan connection is one of truly great aspects of AFL,” Thomas wrote.

“(Clarkson) had (an) altercation near team hotel in Adelaide. What’s AFL going to do! Build a tunnel from ground to hotel. Section off hotel. Section off airport. Section off plane. Complete rot.

“One idiot every week or so shouldn’t cause such dramatic changes to things.”

“Not so funny now you’re not at the MCG, hey buddy?” Police took his drivers licence & membership card.

Pleaseeeee. If this is true it’s a disgrace. — Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) March 30, 2018

AFLCA say coaches deserve the right to walk through crowds without being heckled. I think they deserve the right to show their maturity & control , put a smile on their face & keep walking. WTF do they think they are. Harden up. — Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) March 30, 2018

Similar to Goodes/etc complaining about booing it incited fans to boo more - why? Cos he hated it. Same deal here. If fans can get a rise out of coaches this easy they’ll do more of it. — Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) March 30, 2018

If these are the facts Dimma should be fined for preciousness. Surely there was more to it? — Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) March 30, 2018

Media now saying coaches shouldn’t have to walk through crowd (I thought they walked down aisles?). That’s rubbish. Fan connection is one of truly great aspects of AFL. — Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) March 30, 2018

Clarke had a altercation near team hotel in Adelaide. What’s AFL going to do! Build a tunnel from ground to hotel. Section off hotel. Section off airport. Section off plane. Complete rot. 1 idiot every week or so shouldn’t cause such dramatic changes to things. — Grant Thomas (@Thomo_Grant) March 30, 2018

The AFL is investigating the incident and will decide next week whether to take any action.

In the meantime, the AFL has called on spectators to let coaches do their jobs after the incident.

“The AFL would remind all fans at all venues that the coaching staff of both clubs need to be able to fulfil their roles,” a league spokesman said.

“There is no physical confrontation between the pair, but there were words exchanged when the fan engaged Damien and he responded.

“We just need to fully understand what was said and whether any further action will occur against the fan involved.”

— with AAP