Resale websites rip off footy fans with inflated AFL finals ticket prices

FANS desperate to see their teams play in the AFL finals are being fleeced by rip-off merchants selling tickets to next week’s Richmond-Geelong blockbuster for up to $515.

FOOTY fans desperate to see their teams play finals are being ripped off by online ticket sale sites. Picture: Michael Klein

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FOOTY fans desperate to see their teams play in the AFL finals are being fleeced by rip-off merchants selling tickets to next week’s Richmond-Geelong blockbuster for up to $515.

With supporters set to be turned away from next Friday’s MCG final, online sites were on Wednesday peddling tickets for hugely inflated margins and escaping sanction.

The highly-anticipated clash is almost certain to be a sellout with all general public and AFL member’s tickets exhausted, sparking an increase on internet sites.

BLOCKBUSTER CATS V TIGERS FINAL OFFICIALLY A SELLOUT

An avid Tigers fan cheering. Picture: Adam Trafford

The cheapest tickets on Ticketmaster’s resale site on Wednesday were $134.25 and others were advertised for up to quadruple of face value.

Swiss-based secondary seller Viagogo was flogging tickets for up to $378 plus booking, handing and VAT fees and advertised a children’s seat in the top tier for more than $100.

It has fuelled calls for urgent action from the AFL and the state government to change laws and make it illegal for anyone to sell footy tickets for above face value.

Richmond's Dustin Martin. Picture: Michael Klein

Geelong's Patrick Dangerfield. Picture: Michael Klein

AFL Fans’ Association president Gerry Eeman said the prices were “scandalous’’ and the league should make it illegal to sell seats to any match for profit.

“Until this problem is actually fixed, we’re going to see more of this — it is not going to go away,’’ he said.

“It’s a breathtaking rip-off but fans love their footy so in a sense I’m not surprised, this is going to keep happening more and more because footy is only getting more popular.’’

Supporters waving a Geelong Cats flag.

It is currently only a crime to make a profit from sale of Grand Final tickets but the government has the power to make all finals or every AFL game a scalper-free event.

Independent senator Nick Xenophon urged the government to act but said the federal government and AFL should also intervene.

“The AFL needs to show leadership on this and I’m calling on the protection to be extended to all finals games,’’ he said. “This needs to involve a uniform response between states and Commonwealth.’’

AFL members sent Ticketek into meltdown trying to secure tickets on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The AFL tonight warned fans against buying from non-official retailers because they risked being turned away if the tickets were fake as well as being overcharged.

Richmond fans Ashlee Frendo with her daughter Aleera, 5 and son Riley, 9. Picture: Ian Currie

AFL spokesman Jay Allen said action could also be taken against AFL members who onsold their seats.

“Dependent on circumstance they run the risk of having their membership and match tickets cancelled,’’ he said.

Mr Xenophon said “a very clear message’’ needs to be sent to “scalpers breaking the hearts of genuine fans’’.

“The AFL needs to show a leadership role here and use its moral authority to call for ticket scalping to be outlawed immediately, and this could probably be done by regulation,’’ he said.

“They are abusing the passion people have for their team for commercial advantage.’’

MCC reserved seats have also sold out, with 13,500 general seats remaining when gates open next Friday.

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