Melbourne bar owner faces jail time after allegedly sneaking into WA for AFL Grand Final
A state-wide manhunt was launched on Monday night in Western Australia after two Melbourne men snuck across the border and attended the AFL Grand Final.
49-year-old Hayden Burbank, owner of Prahran restaurant and bar Morris Jones, and finance firm managing director Mark Babbage, 38, are currently in lock up accused of flying into Perth from Darwin on 22 September, having left Melbourne on 14 September.
The pair was found on Tuesday night near Margaret River.
Burbank was caught out after being seen on the AFL’s official Instagram account at the AFL Grand Final.
Not only did he attend the Grand Final but he also managed to sneak into the clubrooms to rub shoulders with the players and coaches after Melbourne’s victory.
WA police received an anonymous tip-off that the men had been in Victoria 14 days before arriving in the state.
It’s unclear how they managed to cross the border or sneak into the rooms.
In the past, Burbank has conducted interviews with 7NEWS about his love for the Demons, and about how hard the lockdowns were affecting his business.
The pair who are still in police custody will face court charged with breaching the Emergency Management Act.
Burbank and Babbage face possible jail time and fines of up to $50,000.
Irit Jackson, 29th September 2021
