1996 Ansett Australia Cup

The 1996 AFL Ansett Australia Cup was the Australian Football League competition played in its entirety before the Australian Football League's 1996 Premiership Season began. It culminated the Final in March 1996. The AFL Ansett Australia Cup is also sometimes referred to as the pre-season cup because it was played in its entirety before the Premiership Season began since 1988.[1]

After the final siren in the Grand Final where St Kilda defeated Carlton, there was a "pitch invasion" by disgruntled spectators who tried to stop the presentation and lap of honour, whilst pretending to be over-excited St Kilda FC supporters. The trespassers stole St Kilda gear off St Kilda FC supporters on their way onto the field. The presentation went ahead, but St Kilda FC's winning team did not get to do a lap of honour until before the Round 1 match of the 1996 Premiership Season. The Players and staff were escorted safely off the field by security, where practical.

In 2004 when St Kilda won again, there was extra security posted to the venue ringing the field inside the boundary fence for the post-match. The presentation was subdued due to St Kilda FC and officials waiting for spectators to pitch invade again, after receiving pre-match warnings it would occur again if St Kilda won. The incident has led to misconceptions that St Kilda FC not winning "prevents riots by organized crime".