Richmond fans rally to save reserved seats at MCG

ANGRY Richmond fans are rallying to preserve their allocated seating at the MCG after the club moved to reduce reserved seating in favour of cashed-up coterie groups.

Joe Garra with a petition of almost 900 names asking the Tigers not to strip seats from members. Picture: Jason Edwards

RICHMOND has riled some of its most loyal fans by making contentious changes to seating at the MCG.

Tiger faithful who have stuck with Richmond through thick and thin are set to lose vast numbers of reserved seats at the Punt Rd end in favour of cashed-up coterie groups.

Diehard fans say they are paying the price of premiership success as the club struggles with the weight of supporters climbing on the bandwagon.

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Little more than 28 years after their “Save Our Skins” campaign to rescue the club, Richmond supporters have started a “Save Our Seats” protest to convince the board to keep supporter bays together.

The club has called a fan forum tonight to smooth tensions, but fans on Tuesday deli­vered a petition with about 800 names against shrinking the number of reserved seat bays.

Richmond member Joe Garra has had four seats for his family next to friends for 13 years and ­accu­sed the club of making a “unilateral decision to evict us”.

“They’re basically taking seats off some of the most passionate and dedicated fans and giving them to people prepared to pay more,” he said.

A letter sent to members said Richmond’s reserved seats were “at capacity” with “no further room to grow”.

Several bays will become “flexible seating bays”, or first-in, first-served for members.

Members are also angry the club has asked them to pay an extra $6 to reserve a ticket in a 186-seat bay it will make available a week before matches.

“They’re happy having us there for the past 20 years, but not now,” Dr Garra said.

“Everyone is furious.”

Joe Garra with a petition of almost 900 names asking the Tigers not to strip seats from members. Picture: Jason Edwards

Richmond consumer business general manager Dino Imbriano confirmed 1613 seats across nine bays would be aff­ected.

He said changes were needed, with up to 700 members not showing up at some mat­ch­es while legions of fans wanted to witness the action.

“Its very emotive and the last thing we want to do is upset fans, but we need to continue to grow and strong and bold has been part of our brand positioning,” he said.

“Sometimes we need to make changes to try to accommodate everyone.”

But in a letter to president Peggy O’Neal and CEO Brendon Gale, Dr Garra said: “Instead of being excited about the forthcoming finals series we have been shattered that our loyalty over many dark years has been totally ignored.”

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