The grand final weekend is on us. The delights of elite level sport competing at the highest level, men and women showcasing their skills on the footy field, and the passion and pain for the winners and losers.

And, the injuries. Not just the injuries on the sporting field but the injuries on the roads, in homes, outside clubs. The injuries due to inebriated men beating others up when their teams lose. The injuries due to people losing their inhibitions and going too far.

Sporting finals are closely associated with alcohol and alcohol advertising. Credit:Judy Green

Research published this year shows family violence assaults are 40 per cent higher, and non-domestic violence rises 70 per cent on State of Origin game nights.

We know that we can reduce alcohol-related harm by reducing alcohol availability and accessibility, regulating the marketing of alcohol, improving community understanding of the harms associated with alcohol and restricting the marketing and promotion of alcohol – especially to young people.