Hawthorn supporters who threw bottles at umpires face lengthy bans if identified by the AFL and Victoria Police.
The AFL has condemned the behaviour of Hawthorn fans and said they face minimum five-year bans if identified after they "crossed the line" throwing bottles at umpires.
The match officials had bottles thrown at them from the stands as they walked off the MCG playing arena following the Hawks' nine-point loss to the Brisbane Lions in Saturday night's preliminary final at the MCG.
"The AFL and MCC [Melbourne Cricket Club] security will work with Vic Pol to identify the bottle throwers directed at the umpires last night," the league said in a statement.
"If identified they will be banned from games and the stadium for a minimum five years."
At the heart of Hawthorn's collective rage was a holding-the-ball free paid against Jarman Impey in the last minute of the match.
Brisbane's Hugh McCluggage then kicked the match-clinching goal, which put the Lions in front by three points.
Hawks players James Sicily, Tom Barrass and Jack Ginnivan had a conversation with the umpires at once after the full-time siren.
Their coach Sam Mitchell said he did not know about Sicily, Barrass and Ginnivan speaking to the umpires, but he was aware of the bottles being thrown onto the ground.
AFL Fans Association president Ron Issko said he understood the passion, disappointment and frustration of Hawthorn supporters, but denounced their throwing of objects at the umpires.