Crowdless football: What it was like at the Suns vs Eagles ‘ghost’ game

The realities of ghost games are in full swing in the AFLW, and the AFL are bracing for the same measures in Round 1. What is a game with no crowd like?

It was odd, it was eerie, but it was still footy.

Ever wondered what it’s like inside an AFLW ‘ghost’ game?

What it was like to sit inside an empty Mineral Resources Park as the reality of a vastly different Australian sporting landscape bore down on players and staff alike?

‘HOPEFULLY I CAN TERROISE A FEW MORE WESTERN AUSTRALIANS THIS WEEKEND’

It was nearly the perfect day for footy on Saturday when the Suns defeated the West Coast Eagles in Perth.

Blue skies, a slight breeze blowing from end to end and warm enough to go without a customary jumper or even red and yellow scarf.

Security stood at each entry point, analysing the credentials of each patron with only media and staff permitted inside.

BEHIND THE SCENES: FROM TEARS TO CHEERS AS SUNS REALISED FINALS DREAM

A select group of family, who had made travel plans back when ‘Corona’ represented a popular carton, were allowed in.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: The Gold Coast Suns traveling party form the crowd during the 2020 AFLW Round 06 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Mineral Resources Park on March 15, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Others watched on from outside the steely fence which ran laps around the oval, wrapping their fingers around each ring of metal to bring themselves ever slightly closer to the action. They cheered, screamed and exclaimed when play was within earshot, and even when it wasn’t.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: The Team group up at three quarter time during the 2020 AFLW Round 06 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Mineral Resources Park on March 15, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

You could hear the Suns from their change room, even buried beneath the depths of the spectator stands.

Cheering, yelling and even a bit of singing, they carefully whipped themselves into a frenzy in absence of their adoring home crowd before charging out under a guard of honour formed by staff.

THE ONE REASON FREMANTLE IS STILL UNDEFEATED: LAKE CONFIDENT OF AN UPSET

As the siren rang out, normality instantly returned.

There was footy to play.

Each kick, each call and each clash of bodies reverberated around the ground.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Leah Kaslar of the Suns bumps elbows with Emma Swanson of the Eagles during the 2020 AFLW Round 06 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Mineral Resources Park on March 15, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Communication was simple as runners barked instructions from the boundary line and players quickly responded.

CONFIRMED: SUNS TO PLAY FINALS FOOTY

It had all the character of suburban footy but the skills and will of a national sporting side. Ellie Hampson was creative manning the mark, taunting “are you going to kick left or right? Left or right foot? Left or right” as her opponent strode towards goal.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Cheyenne Hammond of the Suns collides with Chantella Perera of the Eagles during the 2020 AFLW Round 06 match between the West Coast Eagles and the Gold Coast Suns at Mineral Resources Park on March 15, 2020 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Carson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Defender Jade Prengelj even ran from full back to full forward to celebrate one of Kalinda Howarth’s four goals.

It was footy delivered differently.

I only hope it’s not the new normal.