Footy stars call on fans to get the jab

A new MCG campaign featuring famous footy figures is encouraging people to get vaccinated so big crowds can get back to the home of sport.

MCG chiefs will launch an unprecedented push for Victorians to get vaccinated so packed crowds can return to the home of Aussie sport this year.

Sports fans will be asked to roll up their sleeves, with footy greats and famous fans joining the MCG campaign to get Covid-safe spectators back to the iconic stadium as soon as possible.

It comes as MCC chief executive Stuart Fox revealed a vaccine passport was “more likely than not’’ for the Boxing Day Test, Big Bash cricket and AFL matches in a bid for “big crowds”.

The move could see entry to the MCG restricted to people with proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

Mick Molloy appears in the “Be Part of the Team’’ campaign.

Richmond tragic Molloy says “let’s get back to doing what we love”.

Mr Fox said it was a call-to-arms to get vaccinated so MCG crowds could return to their former glory.

“People really love the MCG, it is the people’s ground and we want to get back to normal as soon possible because we know how important that is for the community,’’ he said.

“The ‘G’ really unites people and we do think there is a real opportunity a fully vaccinated community provides us with hope that we can return big crowds in the next few months.’’

AFL legend Neale Daniher, Richmond greats Kevin Bartlett and Matthew Richardson and AFLW stars Daisy Pearce and Darcy Vescio are among 13 famous footy faces part of the MCG vaccine push.

Bec and Neale Daniher feature in the MCG’s video.

The “Be Part of the Team’’ campaign, to be launched on Sunday, also includes AFL greats Shaun Burgoyne and Billy Brownless, comedian Mick Molloy and media identities Anthony Hudson and Bec Maddern.

With the MCG mothballed for the AFL Grand Final for a second straight year, Mr Fox said the success of vaccine passports internationally meant they were a “serious possibility’’.

“We need to drive any initiative that is going to return the large crowds,’’ he said.

“We’ve seen it work overseas so it’s something we are exploring pretty hard.’’

Billy Brownless enjoying a beer at the Percy Beames Bar.

He confirmed a “no jab, no entry’’ requirement was being considered for the MCG but talks with the state government, AFL and Cricket Australia were continuing.

“Discussions have really intensified over the last month because it’s becoming more and more obvious it’s a likely option to return to large crowds,’’ he said.

“Nothing at this stage is set in stone and it will be a collective decision but it’s fair to say discussions are positive … it’s probably more likely than not.’’

Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula applauded the MCG vaccination and vaccine passport push.

“Vaccinations are our ticket out of the pandemic and like the MCC, we encourage everyone who can to get their jabs,’’ he said.

“We’re working with the Commonwealth on how a vaccine passport could operate but clearly, being double-jabbed is going to open up a lot of doors in the future.”

Recently retired 407-game player Shaun Burgoyne is part of the campaign.

Richmond tragic Molloy said getting vaccinated was the only way to get 100,000 fans back at the footy.

“So come on Victoria – from all of us – let’s get back to doing what we love,’’ he said.

After capacity crowds returned to the US Open and Wimbledon tennis, Test cricket and soccer in the UK, Mr Fox said the MCC wanted to “play a leadership role’’ bringing back Aussie spectators.

“It gives us hope that we can return to large crowds when the majority of the community is vaccinated,’’ he said.

He hoped the vaccination push would allow “significant numbers’’ to return to the MCG and other venues in November and December.

“The sooner we can return those bigger crowds, the better the atmosphere, the better for everyone, the economy, the clubs, all of the sports,’’ he said.

An Ashes crowd of up to 280,000 traditionally pack the MCG across the five days of a Boxing Day Test.

More than 78,100 fans watched Essendon defeat Collingwood at the MCG on Anzac Day this year and 100,014 packed the ground to watch Richmond win the 2019 Grand Final.

“If you love attending live sport, going to concerts where people gather in big numbers, we strongly encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as practically possible,’’ he said.

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