Bigger crowds in the mix for Adelaide Oval after ‘respectful’ Showdown, with up to 5000 possible for SANFL launch round
The weekend’s Showdown let just 2240 fans into Adelaide Oval – but the success of that event means those numbers could more than double by the end of the month.
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Bigger crowds at SA sporting events are being actively considered by officials after a “respectful” Showdown in the stands.
Premier Steven Marshall has also said the lifting of SA’s border quarantine restrictions from July 20 allows the AFL to start planning weekly games at Adelaide Oval, as the Crows and Port Adelaide head to Queensland for their next matches. The coming SANFL launch at Adelaide Oval in a fortnight will be the next key test of managing larger crowds, with strong speculation in government circles that up to 5000 fans could be let in.
A lucky 2240 fans were allowed into the Adelaide Oval Showdown on Saturday night to see the Power demolish the Crows.
It was Australia’s first major sports crowd since pandemic restrictions started.
SA’s chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier was pleased with how the Adelaide Oval crowd handled itself, opening the door to bigger numbers in the future.
“I was impressed by the planning of the Stadium Management Authority to safely reintroduce live sport in SA,” Prof Spurrier said.
“It was a friendly and respectful crowd. We were pleased with what we observed in regards to queuing when entering and exiting Adelaide Oval, the purchasing of refreshments and taking them back to their seats, and the general physical distancing.”
Officials will now evaluate the next steps to safely manage future events.
Prof Spurrier said that would include working with sports administrators “to determine what will be possible and how we may be able to increase crowd numbers.”
A major focus will be how distancing and hygiene are managed when fans leave their seats to use toilets and hospitality services, as well as public transport to get in and out of grounds. It is understood there is consideration of letting families and household groups sit together.
Mr Marshall last night said he was “unpacking” the Showdown trial, while the coming move on borders meant interstate teams could soon fly in and out for games as normal.
“SA has effectively become the pilot for the national Cabinet’s push … on stadia and outdoor seated and ticketed events,” he said.
“All state borders will be removed from Monday, July 20. That means our two AFL teams can be training in SA from that time but, more importantly, can be playing their matches.
“All of those fixtures of course will be up to the AFL.”
The AFL has locked in a schedule until July 5, with the staging of further matches to be reviewed after that.
There is uncertainly about the fate for SA’s teams and how the fixture gap will be bridged from then until borders are fully open to inbound travellers on July 20.
The State Government has not ruled out the possibility of earlier home matches in Adelaide, and previously brought forward the easing of restrictions after ongoing strong health results.
The AFL is set to release the next phase of its fixture on June 22. Mr Marshall said it was highly-likely larger crowds would soon be allowed in SA.
“I think the good performance of the (Showdown) crowd … would suggest that we could start gradually moving those numbers up for future fixtures,” he said. “That would be music to the ears of SANFL fans, leading up to the start their season at the Adelaide Oval.
Mr Marshall, a Port Adelaide Power and Norwood Redlegs fan, added: “The best news from Saturday night, of course, was the Power’s victory playing in the traditional prison bars guernsey”.
The crowd permitted into Adelaide Oval for the opening SANFL round on June 27 is currently limited to 80 people on the ground and 80 in the stands.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has set a goal of 10,000-strong crowds being permitted in sporting stadiums across the country at some point next month.
Power chief executive Keith Thomas, whose club hosted Showdown 48, was delighted with the atmosphere. “Supporters seemed to respect the protocols very well and were genuinely thrilled to be back at the footy,” Mr Thomas said yesterday.
“The Adelaide Oval staff were well drilled in the hospitality areas, friendly but strict, and I felt like we could handle more people in the stadium now that we’ve experienced it.”
An AFL spokesman said there had been “diligent” work by both the Government and clubs. “Although there were only 2000 fans at the game, it sounded like 40,000,” the league said in a statement.