Fans flock to get tickets for the Hobart Hurricanes’ home BBL grand final
The Hurricanes are one win away from clinching the BBL title, and the whole state is getting behind the team. How fans are feeling ahead of the final.
Tasmania
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Hurricane fever is sweeping Hobart as the Canes prepare for its maiden BBL Grand Final.
Fans were lined up outside of Ninja Stadium, hoping to get tickets to the big game after the Hobart Hurricanes beat the Sydney Sixers by 12 runs on Tuesday night.
The first allocation of tickets sold out in 10 minutes.
Vicki Hall and Noela Foxcroft, members of the Hobart Hurricanes, were among the lucky ones who snagged tickets.
“We couldn’t get into the game on Tuesday because we thought our membership would give us entry into the ground,” Ms Hall said.
“We were in the queue and told we had to get a ticket. So we went home and watched it on the television.”
However, the pair will be able to get into the ground for the final.
Karen Fahey also managed to get tickets to the game and said she was “super excited.”
“I’ve been waiting for the Hurricanes to get into the final for a really long time. I’ve been coming since the BBL started, and I’ve been a member since the third season,” Ms Fahey said.
“I was at the game last night, and I was a bit worried when we were put into bat first – but the boys brought it home.”
Ms Fahey said it would be “unbelievable” if the Hurricanes won the grand final.
“It would feel like it would be finishing it off for the state. Cricket is such a big thing for Tasmania and winning would be just fantastic.”
Katie Brown and her family are not members, so they were waiting in line at Ninja Stadium hoping they would get tickets from midday on Wednesday.
“We’re from Launceston and haven’t been to a Big Bash game since last year. It would be pretty nice if we could get to the final,” Ms Brown said.
“The kids have always been Hurricanes fans, they’ve done a lot of the clinics when they’ve come up to Launceston.
“It’ll be nice to go to a real game.”
At Intersport Hobart, store manager Grace Woolford said they had sold out of Hobart Hurricanes hats and almost ran out of jerseys.
“In general, the hype has been a lot greater, and there’s been a lot more demand for products this season than any other year,” Ms Woolford said.
“When the team’s doing well, it definitely makes everyone a little bit more proud and excited to support in any way they can; support those Tassie players and create a bit more hype, and they are proud to wear those purple tops.”
Hobart Hurricanes CEO Dominic Baker said a BBL championship had been “brewing for a while.”
“It’s probably taken longer than we would have liked, but great to do that at home and how fantastic is it to play a home grand final,” Mr Baker said.
“We’ll fill the place out, and Tasmanians will get behind us as they always do. And I think we’re just proving that for the right quality environment, Tasmanians do turn up.
“They’ve been turning up to the JackJumpers for two years; they’ve turned up here when it matters.
“Long may it continue.”
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