No Victorian crowds for a month despite Prime Minister’s permission
Despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison allowing crowds of 10,000 to attend venues from next month, there won’t be a quick return to Victorian venues. But the AFL has greater certainty with its next fixture block thanks to relaxed border laws.
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The AFL is expected to release two more rounds of its fixture as early as Monday week.
The July 20 release of South Australia’s borders will give the league more flexibility for fly-in fly-out football.
But despite Scott Morrison’s declaration that crowds of up to 10,000 will be allowed at some AFL venues next month, there is no prospect of a quick return at Victorian venues.
Morrison handed permission for stadiums under 40,000 capacity to have 10,000 fans socially distanced, but all authority for crowds at Victorian venues is up to the state government.
Victorian sports minister Martin Pakula is sticking to his line that footy fans should not expect crowds back at the MCG, Marvel Stadium or GMHBA Stadium in this four-week fixturing block.
“Having spoken to the MCG, having spoken to the AFL, there’s not a huge amount of utility in having 500 people at the football, quite frankly,” Pakula said this week.
“It’s probably more likely that there will be a larger number of people let in at a later date, rather than dribs and drabs.
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“I think something in the vicinity of 10,000 to 20,000, that is worthwhile. We’ve got a fixture block now that’s running for the next four rounds, I wouldn’t expect (fans) for that fixture block,” he said.
MCC authorities believe they could hold 30,000-40,000 fans in a socially distanced environment but will have to wait for state government authority.
While venues and clubs will not make money from crowds of up to 10,000 given the cost of running stadia they would cash in when restrictions are further eased, allowing more significant crowds.
The AFL continues to deal with fixturing challenges that includes a closed West Australian border and has several models for hubs in Perth if those restrictions are not eased.
With South Australia’s border to open on July 20, Port Adelaide and Adelaide could play fly-in fly-out football from Round 8.
It would mean the AFL could keep them in the Gold Coast hub for two more weeks past the current fixture block or bring them to a Melbourne hub, then return them to Adelaide Oval games from Round 8 onwards.
The continuing complications mean the league’s hope of releasing another fixturing block of up to four weeks by Round 3 will instead be replaced by two more weeks.
AFL head of broadcasting and scheduling Marcus King said this week the league would release that fixture on June 22, but the AFL said yesterday it could still be delayed until mid-week.
June 22 is the date Victoria is set to ease restrictions again, but that will not involve permission for venues including the MCG or Marvel Stadium to host crowds.
Morrison said he expected by July venues with over 40,000 capacity would also be able to open after consultation with state authorities.
MCC authorities believe they could hold 30,000-40,000 fans in a socially distanced environment but will have to wait for state government authority.
While venues and clubs will not make money from crowds of up to 10,000 given the cost of running stadia they would cash in when restrictions are further eased, allowing more significant crowds.
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