Port Adelaide fans snap up extra tickets in just 30 minutes – but will SA fans make Lions v Dees a sell-out too?
Port Adelaide fans did not wait long after Oval crowd numbers were boosted for tonight’s match – but tickets are still available for Saturday’s Brisbane v Melbourne clash.
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An extra 5000 loud and passionate Port Adelaide voices will fill the air at Adelaide Oval Friday for the Power’s much-anticipated qualifying final against Geelong after a last-minute release of tickets took capacity to 20,000.
Premier Steven Marshall made the announcement Thursday that the extra fans would be allowed for both the Port-Geelong game and Saturday’s clash between Melbourne and Brisbane, for which tickets and hospitality packages are still available.
“I know it is something fans will absolutely love to hear,’’ Mr Marshall said.
Port’s chief executive officer Matthew Richardson said the club was thrilled about the increased capacity and thanked the authorities for allowing it to happen.
“We are pleased more of our members now have the opportunity to attend Friday night’s qualifying final and thank SA Health for their decision to increase capacity by 5000 to 20,000 for this game,” he said.
“The extra 5000 tickets sold out quickly and we share the disappointment of the many Port Adelaide members and supporters who are still unable to attend the game.
“We know the 20,000 Port fans fortunate to be at the ground tomorrow night will generate great energy and noise and our players definitely feed off that.’’
Port fans snapped up the extra 5000 tickets in little more than half an hour.
Port fan Celine Palmer will be at the match and expects Power supporters to make a great noise, even if Adelaide Oval is filled to less than half of its capacity.
“The atmosphere is going to be electric,’’ Ms Palmer said. “Even at 15,000 we can make it sound like a full stadium.’’
Ms Palmer said she was “quietly confident’’ Port could beat the Cats and qualify for its second consecutive preliminary final, which could also be held at Adelaide Oval.
Stadium Management Authority chief operating officer Adam Vonthethoff said the extra capacity meant ”extra shifts, particularly for casual workers, and that’s great for them’’.
Mr Vonthethoff said the oval’s Covid management plan remained the same.
“Fans will still need to wear a mask, arrive at their designated time and maintain social distancing,’’ he said.
“The additional fans we are welcoming to both AFL finals will be seated throughout the stadium, ensuring we can adhere to all appropriate social distancing.’’
Australian Hotels Association SA general manager Ian Horne said the increase was good news for pubs and licenced premises in the CBD and North Adelaide.
“The more people who go to Adelaide Oval, the more we see come into our venues,’’ he said.
Mr Horne said finals footy was also a good time for people to gather in pubs and clubs to watch games.
“If it gives people one more excuse to get out to their local then bring it on,’’ he said.
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