Melbourne descends into chaos as thousands of wild A-League fans set off flares and heavily armed police are called in

• READ MORE: Why police will be out in force at A-League Grand Final

Australian football fans flooded Melbourne's streets, chanting anti-police slogans and letting off flares, in the lead-up to Saturday's A-League grand final.

Melbourne City conquered rivals Melbourne Victory 1-0 at AAMI Park in front of almost 30,000 supporters.

Before kick off, Victoria Police arrested a fan outside the Precinct Hotel, pulling him through the crowd as hundreds marched to the stadium, The Herald Sun reported.

In an attempt to control the flow of fans, at least 100m of traffic barricades were installed along the pub strip on Swan Street in Richmond. 

Police blocked it off at 5.30pm and instructed fans to change their direction away from the railway bridge: 'No one under the bridge, no foot traffic under the bridge,' police said. 

Supporters could be heard yelling anti-police chants at G bar, a popular spot for Victory fans.

They also lit bright flares below Richmond railway bridge, resulting in the city being covered in a red haze. 

Footage taken on the Richmond streets showed officers standing in two rows as the crowd grew louder.

Victoria Police said on Friday that officers would focus on preventing and de-escalating any incidents. 

The public was also warned officers would have 'zero tolerance' for anyone engaging in reckless or anti-social behaviour, before or after the match.

Two weeks before the final, on May 17, Victoria Police said a group of soccer fans lit around 15 flares under a bridge on Swan Street while marching to a game.

They said billowing smoke under the train line could disrupt the public transport network.

Police bolstered resourcing around the stadium on Saturday night, surrounding licensed venues and public transport hubs throughout Richmond and the CBD.

Officers worked with the mounted brigade, highway patrol, and the public order response team.

Fortunately, fans were able to exit the grand final without incident.

The police effort was carried out with the aim of avoiding a repeat of the shocking scenes from an infamous Melbourne derby in 2022 that saw a pitch invasion and 29 arrests.

Approximately 150 Victory supporters stormed the pitch that day, unleashing 80 flares or fireworks and forcing the abandonment of the Melbourne derby. 

Melbourne City goalkeeper Tom Glover left the field bleeding from a head wound.

Referee Alex King, two security guards and a camera operator were also injured following the mayhem.

It followed a portion of Victory fans announcing plans pre-game via an Instagram page titled Original Style Melbourne (OSM) to storm the pitch after 20 minutes.

The action was in protest of the controversial decision to hand Sydney grand final hosting rights until 2025.