Long time between drinks: MCG brings back beer cans at footy

Footy fans can enjoy a cold tin at the ‘G for the first time in years in a surprise trial. See which sections can be served cans.

Plastic beer cups, such as the one held by Hawthorn fan Nicole Menzel, could be phased out. Picture:

Footy fans can crack open a cold tin at the ‘G for the first time since the early 90s in a surprise test to bring back the can.

In a move harking back to the old days of the VFL, a quiet trial began at the start of the 2022 season to sell cans of beer in some sections alongside the plastic cups that have been in place for more than two decades.

It means surprised fans at day games have been able to knock back a full strength beverage in a cold can.

The Herald Sun understands the trial was prompted by the Victorian Government’s announcement that single-use plastic will be banned by February 2023.

Speedier service — it takes less time to hand someone a can than it does to pour them a beer — is considered an added bonus.

AFL Fans Association president Cheryl Critchley welcomed the news and said she expects it will be well-received with beer-drinkers.

“Cans are more popular than plastic cups,” she said.

“When you’ve got a tray of four plastic cups it’s very easy to spill the beer.

“If it’s going to be better for recycling, that’s a positive as well if it means less waste.

“It sounds like a win-win.”

Beers can be easy to spill when served in plastic cups. Picture: AAP

It should also help tackle the risk posed by stray footballs, she added.

“You see when a ball goes into the crowd and it hits someone plastic cup, it spills everywhere,” she said.

“If you have a can, it probably won’t.”

The trial is set to continue for the foreseeable future and is taking place on all parts of the MCG’s first floor, plus the member areas of level two and three.

It does not extend to level four, where beer will continue to be served only in plastic cups.

Cans of full-strength beer will be available according to the current drinking rules, which allow full-strength beer to be sold during day games with crowds below 75,000.

The trial marks a major change from a decades-long policy.

The move harks back to the days of the VFL. Footballer Robert DiPierdomenico and John Platten celebrating the 1986 Grand Final at the MCG. Picture: Stuart Hannagan

During the late 80s, the numbers of tins sold in one transaction was capped to limit bad behaviour and eventually beer cans were phased out as the stadium was redeveloped.

The MCG also began searching patrons’ bags in the mid 90s after a spate of incidents where rowdy cricket and football fans pelted rival teams with soft drinks cans and other rubbish.

But the MCG has since sold canned drinks at their other events for some time now, and is understood to have approached the AFL about a trial to phase out plastic beer cups.

Staff shortages also meant plastic cups were also briefly introduced to other sections of the stadium during the start of the season.

Member areas briefly stopped serving drinks in glasses to save time on washing, but this policy is expected to end next round.