The 25-year-old has been charged with riotous behaviour as a result of “violent clashes in the street”. A 31-year-old man from Skye, near Frankston, was also charged with riotous behaviour.

A Broadmeadows man, 33, was charged with attempted robbery, a Keilor East man, 31, was charged with assaulting police, and a Reservoir man, 25, was charged with hindering police.

An 18-year-old Gisborne man was charged with weapons offences for possessing a lock pick. One man was caught with three knives and was given a penalty notice.

A police taskforce is continuing to hunt for others involved in the violence.

The two sides clashed at the anti-racism rally, organised by Moreland councillor Sue Bolton. The rally was called “Moreland says no to racism” and had been months in the planning in front of the library, supported by more than 60 organisations.

An opposing rally, called “Stop the far left”, was then planned by a far-right group. One far-right group leader told the ABC they wanted to oppose the anti-racism rally using “force and terror”.

Protesters from the anti-racism and anti-Islam groups appeared to have been injured in the protests.

The main fight involved a significant number of people and lasted about half-a-minute before police could intervene. Police fired capsicum spray to disperse the brawlers.

One person said he saw a man "getting stomped on", as he lay on the road.

Fighting also occurred over the fence, on the lawn of the Coburg Primary School senior campus. Men kicked, punched and grappled with one another on the ground before police arrived and separated them.

Some of the injured people looked very unsteady on their feet, and appeared to have suffered either facial injuries or discomfort from capsicum spray.

Commander Sharon Cowden blasted protesters who engaged in violence, and said the behaviour of some people was "cowardly".

"We will be looking at the footage, finding out what else we can do, to track these people down and bring them to justice," she said.

"I understand the need and the right for people to be able to protest and have their voices heard, and they should be able to do that.”

Flags were used as weapons, along with kicks and punches.

- with The Age