Attendance record set in 1958 could be broken at Monday’s Pies-Demons clash
The Collingwood-Melbourne game is on track to have the largest home-and-away crowd in AFL history, while the FightMND fundraising record could also be smashed.
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AFL crowd and FightMND fundraising records are set to be smashed at the Big Freeze at the ‘G.
A sellout crowd is expected at the MCG to watch Melbourne take on Collingwood in the King’s Weekend clash, raising hopes an attendance record that has stood for 65 years will finally fall.
The Demons and Magpies hold the record for the biggest home-and-away game in AFL history – a remarkable 99,256 fans at the MCG in 1958, at the height of their historical rivalry.
But Monday’s crowd may well surpass that mark for the annual fundraising drive of Neale Daniher’s inspirational charity.
Daniher, who has lost the ability to speak as he battles the cruel disease he calls “The Beast”, issued a rallying call to fans to beat the crowd record and set a new fundraising mark of $20m.
He said: “This day is really special for everyone at FightMND, and people like me living with MND, and it so good to see the MCG crowd turn ‘beanie blue’ no matter what colours you wear underneath.”
Pies defender Isaac Quaynor said he was in awe of what Daniher’s charity had achieved.
“There is a lot more to it than just the football with this game, it’s raising money for a disease that has no cure,” Quaynor said.
Melbourne midfielder Jack Viney said: “It’s an honour to play in the King’s Birthday game, for Neale and for all those affected by MND.
“Neale is an amazing man, who continues to inspire us in so many ways. It’s up to all of us to help fight The Beast.”
Last year’s Big Freeze raised an astounding $19.8m but celebrity sliders such as Eric Bana, Mick Fanning and Michelle Payne are tipped to take this year’s tally higher.
Go to fightmnd.org.au, Coles or Bunnings to buy a Big Freeze beanie.
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