Melbourne‘s annual Reclink Community Cup is a marvellous, many splendored thing.

The yearly charity footy game between the radio-representing MegaHertz and the instrument thumping Rockdogs draws a massive crowd together for a spirited game and accompanying live gig.

Despite drawing crowds that push 20,000, the Cup has not once suffered violence, been marred by overtly bad behaviour, and is generally regarded as an extremely warm, welcoming, friendly environment; at once somehow both exceptionally adult, and family-friendly at the same time.

The beers flow freely (both on and off the field), the banter is willing but good-spirited, and inevitably multiple people will engage in the grand Community Cup tradition of streaking. It’s an eyeful, but it’s part of the day’s charm (somehow). Has been for years.

So even despite the game moving from its past home of Elsternwick Park to Victoria Park in Collingwood this year, the traditions followed along.

There was fun. There was footy. There were fannies on the field.

Exhibit A (warning, bums to follow).

You get the idea. A little gross? Probably. Way too cold? Absolutely. Harmful? Not in the slightest.

Only problem is that this year, for whatever reason, Victoria Police have decided to take immediate and decisive action.

Three men in their 20s have been charged with indecent and obscene behaviour for streaking at the Cup, with each charge carrying a $626 fine. A fourth person is apparently being sought by police for a similar reason.

VIC cops confirmed those charged with streaking will receive penalty notices.

Outwardly, and quite obviously, Community Cup organisers officially distanced themselves from the practise, with Reclink bosses asserting that “under no circumstances would we condone streaking at any Reclink event, which includes the Community Cup.” Of course they have to say that, stating anything otherwise would be ridiculous.

But local council members have slammed the charges as “over the top.” Yarra Council member Stephen Jolly stated that a much more sensible approach to police discretion of streaking at the event was needed.

“It was just a few people having a bit of fun and now their lives could potentially be ruined.”

And when he says “their lives could potentially be ruined,” he’s not kidding.

In September of last year the Andrews Government amended the Victorian Summary Offences Act; specifically, the areas of the act concerning sexual and obscene crimes.

While things like streaking and mooning have always been, not to put too fine a point on it, kind of a legal grey (or pink and brown) area, the amendments to the act last year actually included specific mention of both, in legislation, for the first time ever.

Yikes.

Whether this is a matter of police being particularly heavy handed, or whether the move to Victoria Park means taking the Community Cup away from an Elsternwick-area constabulary that was much more tolerant of the Cup’s associated (and extremely light) antics is another question entirely.

But suddenly dishing out $600+ fines for chucking a nuddy run across the hallowed Reclink turf?

Come on, plod. You could probably turn the other cheek.

Source: Herald Sun.

Photo: Twitter.