Chance of some Crows and Port fans being allowed at Showdown 48
Next week’s clash between the Crows and Port Adelaide could still happen in front of thousands of fans but there’ll be tougher competition for tickets. VOTE AND COMMENT
SA News
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The State Government has left the door open to the possibility of allowing some fans into Adelaide Oval for the Showdown next Saturday night.
It comes as SA Best calls for up to 10,000 fans to attend the blockbuster.
A Government spokeswoman said: “The transition committee is having ongoing discussions about the easing of restrictions, including the attendance of spectators at sporting matches.”
The Crows and Power are due to contest Showdown XLVIII at Adelaide Oval from 7:10pm next Saturday.
The government’s position on the Showdown came as the state recorded an 11th consecutive day of no virus cases while authorities achieved a record week of testing.
SA Health announced a third successive day of zero active cases as the number of virus-related tests topped 12,184, topping the previous week’s 11,171 checks.
SA Best MLC Frank Pangallo has written to Premier Steven Marshall, state co-ordinator and police Commissioner Grant Stevens and chief public health officer Nicola Spurrier, calling for up to 10,0000 fans to be allowed to attend the Showdown.
Mr Pangallo cited the exemption granted to the Black Lives Matter demonstration as precedent, as well as relaxing of restrictions for rugby league in NSW.
“It’s time to bite the bullet and make decisions to further reduce restrictions to allow greater gatherings in public places than currently exist and allowing greater numbers of people to attend particular events, including weddings, funerals and sporting events,” Mr Pangallo said.
“With no active cases of COVID-19 in South Australia and community transmission of the virus virtually eliminated in this state, it is the appropriate time to further reduce current restrictions.
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“The State Co-ordinator set the precedent by agreeing to a special exemption to allow today’s public protest to occur.
“I have also asked them to consider allowing a limited number of spectators attend other sporting events – like SANFL and local amateur football matches – when they resume.”
Mr Pangallo suggested that, if the exemption was granted, the Crows and Power should run a lottery to select members to win a seat.
“Those members lucky enough to be selected will not be able to transfer their tickets and the clubs will also then be able to have a register of attendees if tracing was ever required,” he said.
“It may well be the only AFL game any of us get to see at the Adelaide Oval this year, so what a highlight it would be for the lucky 10,000 fans.”
In NSW, which still has 71 cases of COVID-19 being treated by its health department, rugby league will be allowed to start welcoming fans to the ground from Thursday.
Initially, the easing will apply only to corporate boxes with up to 50 people allowed per box if there is sufficient space to apply social distancing.