What’s the Buzz: A grand shame at $399 a pop as ticket prices rise
LUCKY the AFL chose this year’s grand final not to raise their ticket prices for the first time in 20 years unlike the NRL, writes Phil Rothfield.
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LUCKY the AFL chose this year’s grand final not to raise their ticket prices for the first time in 20 years.
Unlike their NRL rivals, who have bumped up grand final tickets by 10 per cent for next week’s decider at Homebush.
As a contest, AFL’s biggest day of the year was a shocker. A monster crowd of 99,454 saw Hawthorn demolish the Swans in a match that was as good as over by the end of the first quarter.
Lucky your columnist has got a freebie in the Olympic function room with all the politicians, CEOs, media bosses and celebrities.
There’s Julie Bishop, Bill Shorten, Sir Peter Cosgrove, Malcolm Turnbull, most of the premiers, media bosses Kerry Stokes, Tim Worner, Julian Clarke, Richard Freudenstein and Patrick Delany — and one old Cronulla Sharks desperate.
There are sporting greats and AFL legends throughout the room. And old Swans stalwart Mike Willesee, who looked more upset about the scoreline than his failed interview attempt with Schappelle Corby in Bali.
Outside they don’t miss you with the ticket prices. The punters have paid up to $399 for their category one tickets. The cheapest are $180.
At least the AFL kept last year’s prices.
Their tickets are more expensive than Sunday’s rugby league grand final.
Still, the best seats at the NRL now cost $380.
“It’s a balance between the premium ticketing being priced comparatively to other major sporting events while ensuring we maintain an affordable low price category,” said the NRL’s commercial director Paul Kind when I questioned him about it.
At the AFL, it’s almost impossible for the general public to get a ticket.
Unless you’re a club member, forget about it.
An estimated 15,000 fans have come from Sydney for the weekend. The airport is a sea of red and white.
The scenes remind me of St George in their glory days when they owned the league finals.
It’s an expensive couple of days with peak-priced flights, hotels and merchandise.
Food prices at the MCG are just as outrageous as our Sydney venues.
You get a pie for $4.80, a bottle of soft drink is $5.20, and a mid-strength beer sets you back $7.20. But, scoreline aside, this is a just sensational event.
I have been to a Super Bowl and the soccer World Cup in the past couple of years.
As an event, the AFL grand final is right up there with them. Remarkably, nobody left the ground until after the Norm Smith Medal presentation.
A magnificent arena, steeped in sporting history, wonderful atmosphere and outstanding facilities. Old Tom Jones belting out his old favourites and sounding as strong as he did four decades ago.
You get goose bumps from Mike Brady’s stirring rendition of Up There Cazaly. It’s just a shame about the result.
It was a debacle. I’m just glad I didn’t have to pay.
SAINT
THE AFL grand final was an absolutely magnificent spectacle because it was played in daylight hours. No hanging around all day waiting. Great atmosphere and parties afterwards. C’mon, NRL, give us our 3pm kick-off back.
SINNER
THE 10 per cent spike in the NRL’s grand final ticket prices. The game will be a sell-out and the NRL will make a fortune — but that’s not the point. Some fans just can’t afford to go.
SHOOSH
THE tug-of-war between the Roosters and Warriors for the services of Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran will make him one of the highest-paid players in the game.
SHOOSH II
WHO is the coach who told anyone who cared to listen he was going to get Mick Potter’s job at Wests Tigers but didn’t even get an interview?
STU STAYS TRUE
YOU’VE got to admire Sports Minister Stuart Ayres and his passion for the Panthers. He knocked back a seat at yesterday’s AFL grand final alongside the country’s top politicians to watch his Panthers battle the Bulldogs last night.
SPOTTED
BULLDOGS coach Des Hasler in a KFC drive-through on Sydney’s northern beaches.
SPOTTED II
FORMER Test fast bowler Jeff Thomson demolishing bacon and eggs for breakfast at a Jannali cafe on Wednesday morning.
WIN-WIN FOR WYNN
PETER Wynn’s sports store in Parramatta has been the home of rugby league merchandise for decades. That was until the Swans made the grand final and Buddy Franklin fever swept Sydney’s west. Twice last week the former Eels second-rower had to phone for extra orders of Swans jerseys — and just about every customer wanted Buddy’s No. 23 on the back.
DALLY M’S MISSING A GLADIATOR
LEAGUE’S most famous old couple have sadly been separated for the NRL’s biggest night of the year. Legends Norm Provan and Arthur Summons are always one of the highlights of the Dally M awards but Norm took a tumble recently and isn’t well enough to be there.
Arthur will still present the very popular Provan-Summons Award and no doubt blow up again about the refereeing in the 1963 grand final, when the famous old gladiators photo was taken at the SCG.
DOGS OFFICIAL IN DOG HOUSE
THE Bulldogs have been fined $5000 by the NRL for the misbehaviour of one of their sideline officials, who allegedly abused Sea Eagles staff and players in the heat of battle during last weekend’s semi-final thriller at Allianz Stadium.
Bulldogs boss Raelene Castle has confirmed 20-year official Fred Ciraldo has been told his behaviour was unacceptable. He’s kept his job but has been warned to behave more appropriately in future.
DASHING DAVE KNOWS HIS NAGS
DAVE Warner is the new Mark Waugh of the Australian cricket team.
He loves the racing game and recently invested in two smart horses.
He has a share with his NSW team- mate Doug Bollinger in a nag called Man of Distinction, trained by the great Gai Waterhouse.
Warner also owns the imported stayer Oriental Lady, which has been entered for both the Caulfield and Melbourne cups.
TOOVS STRICKEN BY INTERNAL STRIFE
PRESSURE is mounting on Geoff Toovey as the Sea Eagles look back on what was a disappointing year by their lofty standards.
Head coach Toovey’s poor relationship with a number of senior players — not just Brett and Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough — has been the talk of Brookvale.
Toovey’s job is safe for the moment but there are likely to be changes in his coaching staff.
Plenty of players are still dirty that the club allowed Brad Arthur to sign with Parramatta.
SADNESS AND JOY
GLENN Stewart’s farewell week at Manly wasn’t all about sad goodbyes.
The Souths-bound second-rower became a father for the second time on Tuesday morning. This is the text message he sent to his friends.
“Claire Stewart born 8.47am 3.24kg. Jo and Claire doing great.”
SPORT CENTRAL
THERE is no denying Melbourne fans and their incredible appetite for sport.
The AFL finals and the spring racing crowds often put Sydney to shame.
Even tickets to Anthony Mundine’s fight against Sergey Rabchenko at Hisense Arena on November 12 are on the way to selling out.
Originally published as What’s the Buzz: A grand shame at $399 a pop as ticket prices rise
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