A football fan has been slapped with one of the toughest penalties ever handed down to a spectator for bad behaviour.

Indigenous business leader Noel Bridge has been banned from attending any AFL match, anywhere in the country, for three years.

Watch the video above.

The ban comes after Bridge threw a beer during a controversial Nic Naitanui hair-pulling incident.

Bridge had a ringside seat when Essendon's Zach Merrett tangled with the Eagles star during September's elimination final.

Naitanui fought back, shoving Merrett into the fence.

Zach Merrett was caught blatantly pulling the hair of Nic Naitanui. Credit: Channel 7

As Essendon players weighed in, Bridge launched a beer over the boundary, mostly missing Merrett and soaking a boundary camera.

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Bridge was sitting in one of the most exclusive areas of Optus Stadium, known as The Locker Room, where punters are so close to the ground they are almost part of the action.

But the AFL says spectators are not supposed to join in.

Nic Naitanui was involved in a wild scuffle at Optus Stadium against Essendon. Credit: AAP

7NEWS understands Bridge left Optus Stadium minutes after throwing his drink and flew to Adelaide.

He operates his company, First Acuity Management, from an office in Perth but lives in South Australia.

Attempts by 7NEWS to contact him in the last month have been unsuccessful.

The three-year ban imposed by the AFL's integrity department equals one handed out to a streaker who invaded Optus Stadium in May last year during a one-day international cricket match.

Bridge is the youngest son of WA's first Aboriginal state minister Ernie Bridge.

He will not be able to attend another AFL match until September 2022.