Footy stars join push for bigger crowds at games

Footy stars have joined calls to allow bigger crowds into Victorian stadiums, saying more people have been killed by crocodiles since November than by COVID.

Footy greats have joined the push for bigger crowds amid revelations caps at Victorian grounds are the stingiest in the nation.

At this stage only 50,000 fans — half the capacity — will be allowed to attend Thursday’s season-opening blockbuster between Richmond and Carlton at the MCG.

Marvel Stadium is also at half capacity, with only about 29,000 allowed in, according to Health Department rules.

Geelong’s GMBHA Stadium can have 18,000 fans.

But AFL grounds in other states, such as the SCG (36,000) Adelaide Oval (40,000) and Perth’s Optus Stadium (45,000), can have crowds at 75 per cent capacity.

Brisbane’s Gabba will be at full capacity, able to host 36,000 fans.

Crowds at the AFL season opening game between Carlton and Richmond at the MCG in 2019. Picture: David Geraghty

An empty Melbourne Cricket Ground on AFL Grand Final day. Picture: Getty Images

Andrews government sources indicated it was unlikely chief health officer Brett Sutton will recommend allowing bigger crowds by Thursday.

Richmond captain Trent Cotchin said he would love to have more fans in the stands.

“As long as there’s safety measures in place and everyone feels safe to attend and support and cheer as loud as they normally do, the more the merrier,” Cotchin said.

“We obviously both have big fan bases, and we want to get as many of those in there watching what they love watching.”

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Cotchin said the Tigers and Blues had almost forgotten how loud fans could be.

“That (an increased crowd) would be incredibly exciting and the ’G, for whatever reason, always has that extra little bit of a buzz,” he said.

Nevertheless, Cotchin said his team was excited because Thursday’s crowd would still be bigger than for last year’s Grand Final in Brisbane.

Trent Cotchin said the Tigers and Blues had almost forgotten how loud fans could be. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

Tigers defender Jayden Short helps install the goalposts at the MCG, which will host crowds at the footy this week for the first time in 537 days. Picture: Jason Edwards

Western Bulldogs great Doug Hawkins said he “180 per cent” supported Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett’s call for 100,000 fans to be let in for Thursday’s blockbuster.

“Jeff Kennett is a magnificent judge, a fine leader, and he’s absolutely correct,” Hawkins said.

“We haven’t had a death from COVID since November; we’ve had more people taken by crocodiles in that time.”

Mr Kennett on Monday said it was that more people couldn’t “go to the bloody footy” when the risk was low.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp backed a crowd increase to 75,000 at the MCG, saying “every extra person that can safely attend the footy … will help bring back the buzz to our city”.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Paul Guerra said it was time to open up and lift the density cap to 75 per cent for sporting events.

“These events draw people into the city and then spill to our CBD restaurants, pubs and retail,” Mr Guerra said.

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