AFL: Crowds will be back at the MCG this Friday for the first time since round 10

Crowds are back and AFL teams shipped interstate have got more clarity around their weekend amid more Covid developments.

Crowds will be back at the MCG this weekend. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

Up to 25,000 people will be allowed back at AFL games in Melbourne this weekend as Sydney was given the green light to travel to Adelaide to lock in round 15.

Acting Premier James Merlino confirmed on Wednesday morning there would be 50 per cent capacity for all sporting events, with a cap of 25,000, after a second day of zero Covid cases in the city.

That also means the NBL can get 5000 for Game 3 of the grand final series at John Cain Arena and the A-League grand final between Melbourne City and Sydney FC can host 15,000 at AAMI Park on Sunday.

Crowds in Melbourne could lift to as much as 85 per cent capacity in coming weeks if the Covid situation remains under control.

“In the interest of providing more certainty wherever we can, the public health team have approved steps for the next two weeks. From 11.59pm tomorrow night, outdoor stadiums can have 50 per cent of value capacity up to 25,000 people,” Merlino said on Wednesday.

“From the following week, commencing 11.59pm on 1 July, and subject to public health advice, indoor and outdoor stadiums will be able to increase to 85 per cent capacity. So that includes the MCG, Marvel Stadium and AAMI Park.

If things continue to progress well, the crowd caps will lift to 85% from July 1.

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“We‘ll keep assessing the data each and every day and watching closely what’s happening in NSW. If we think that we can ease any of these settings any earlier, of course, as we always do, we will look at that.”

The AFL had already moved both the Swans and GWS to Melbourne as the Covid outbreak in Sydney reached worrying levels.

The Giants’ game against Hawthorn on Sunday afternoon was moved to the MCG, and on Wednesday morning the Swans were given the all clear to fly to Adelaide to play Port on Saturday night.

SA Health has written to the Swans outlining the details of their exemption, which could include pushing the game forward from its 7.30pm timeslot, to the afternoon.

The exemption would be of a similar nature to what Geelong and Collingwood received when playing the Power and Crows in recent weeks.

Back in Melbourne, Richmond’s clash with St Kilda on Friday will be the first game at the MCG with fans since round 10.

As well as the Tigers-Saints game, Essendon and Melbourne will also battle at the MCG, while Collingwood-Fremantle and Carlton-Adelaide games will be played at Marvel Stadium.

The Western Bulldogs flew to Perth on Sunday as they prepare to spend most of the week in hard quarantine ahead of their clash with West Coast.

A travelling party, including a squad of about 27 players, will be confined mostly to their hotel at Joondalup before taking on the Eagles at Optus Stadium on June 27.

They were hoping to spend the week before the game in Sydney before the most recent outbreak in NSW.

Originally published as AFL: Crowds will be back at the MCG this Friday for the first time since round 10