18,173 fans return to Adelaide Oval, the biggest crowd since COVID-19 restrictions began

About 18,000 fans filled the seats – or every second seat – at Adelaide Oval to watch the Crows lose to the Saints. But the crowds are unlikely to get any bigger than that for the rest of the season.

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Bigger crowds at Adelaide Oval are unlikely for the rest of this season as South Australia faces increasing coronavirus risks from Victoria, the state’s top public doctor has suggested.

More than 18,000 fans flocked to the city stadium on Monday night to watch the Adelaide Football Club lose to St Kilda, in what was initially was an “extremely enthusiastic crowd”.

But Crows fans were left subdued after the Saints kicked away in the final quarter to win by 23 points.

Despite the Crows’ poor form, and being bottom of the AFL ladder, 18,173 fans attended their first home game. The ground had a legal 25,000 capacity.

It was the biggest oval crowd in five months but the Crows’ lowest-ever crowd, apart from matches played without spectators due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Adelaide Crows cheer squad stand apart during the game on Monday night. Picture: Daniel Kalisz / Getty Images

Under the watchful eye of authorities, led by Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier, fans arrived early and sat in a “chequered” socially distanced seating system.

Families were allowed to sit together for the first time as the eastern and southern grandstands’ top tiers were empty.

Oval officials also ensured other COVID-19 rules were adhered to, such as staggered leaving times, forcing fans into specific entrances and exits, as well as restricting movement.

Guards were also ordered to wear masks.

Authorities allowed public transport for more than 50,000 fans while Adelaide City Council had reduced the costs for paid parking to encourage fans to avoid buses or trains.

The Crows run out on to the oval, watched by fans in distanced seats. Picture: Sarah Reed

Prof Spurrier, whose SA Health team included two of her deputies Dr Evan Everest and Chris Lease, will brief the state’s Transition Committee on Tuesday morning about the game.

But she said at the ground that bigger crowds were unlikely for the rest of the season.

“If we can do the 25,000 comfortably that is a good place to be,” she told The Advertiser.

“With the first match everybody was quite far apart but now the ticketing has allowed families to sit together.

“So we’ll still be able to have good space around people. But of course if you went to full capacity, you’ve got somebody in every seat so you won’t be able to do that social distancing”.

Among the crowd were cousins Joshua Fenn, 26, of Eyre, and Tamra Osborne, 30, also of Eyre. “It means everything to me to be here,” said Mr Fenn, a service adviser.

Tamra Osborne and Joshua Fenn on their way into Adelaide Oval. Picture: Dean Martin

Originally published as 18,173 fans return to Adelaide Oval, the biggest crowd since COVID-19 restrictions began