Thousands of supporters to miss out on Grand Final tickets
THOUSANDS of loyal supporters will miss out on Grand Final tickets, while corporate and package tickets still go on sale.
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ABOUT 25,000 of the Bulldogs’ 40,000 members will miss out on Grand Final tickets as their team competes for the first time since 1961, while corporate and package tickets are still on sale for up to $2590.
“They should be given to the members first,” Bulldogs cheersquad member Sharon Cutajar said.
“I really feel sorry for those who miss out, I would be absolutely devastated, especially for those Doggie supporters who have been members for 40 or 50 years.”
Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon said further work needed to be done by the AFL to allow devoted club fans a chance to get to Grand Finals.
“We support the AFL prioritising members as much as it possibly can,” he said.
“We’d like to find a way to better provide for our members, particularly those who have stayed loyal to us through the 55 years since we’ve been in a Grand Final.”
The AFL allocates just 15,000 tickets for members of each competing Grand Final team, but the Bulldogs have 39,459 members and Sydney has 56,523, according to the AFL Fans Association.
“The Bulldogs have not contested a Grand Final since 1961, so next week’s game will be cherished by so many of their fans,” fans association president Gerry Eeman said.
“This is a prime example of why the AFL must absolutely increase its Grand Final ticket allocation to members.”
At the 2015 Grand Final between Hawthorn and West Coast both clubs were allocated a combined 30,000 for members in a ballot system, while MCC members were given 25,000 tickets, AFL and Medallion Club members got 21,000, corporate and stakeholders got 17,000 tickets and other AFL clubs received 7000.
By way of comparison, Mr Eeman said the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium in England, which has a capacity of 90,000, sees finals teams allocated 57,464 tickets, or 64 per cent of the total.
The fans association is petitioning the AFL for an increase to 50,000 tickets for Grand Final team members.
Meanwhile, the Australian Industry Group estimates the Victorian economy will take a $1 billion hit courtesy of Friday’s public holiday.
Last year’s Grand Final holiday resulted in 85 per cent of the state’s companies closing for the day and the average loss in revenue per business was $57,500, but ranged from $1000 to well over $500,000.
Government data shows last year’s long weekend provided a $64 million boost for Victorian tourism.
Acting Small Business Minister Steve Herbert described the Grand Final public holiday as an “overwhelming success”.
YOUR GUIDE TO GRAND FINAL WEEK
TICKETS
Club members can check their club website or Ticketek website from 9am today to see if they were successful in the ballot to buy tickets. A limited number of packages are still available from the AFL Event Office.
AFL members: Tickets went on sale on Sunday for full members. Remaining tickets go on sale on Monday from 10am for full members and silver members who support participating clubs. Silver members supporting other clubs can buy tickets from 2pm if any remain.
MCC members: Reserved seats have been allocated to full members in a ballot. About 8500 seats and 1000 standing spaces are available to full members on a first-in basis when gates open at 8am on Saturday.
WEDNESDAY
Noon-5pm Launch of the Foxtel Footy Festival and AFL Grand Final Live Site at Yarra Park. AFL Auskick clinics run every hour with a chance to meet AFL players.
THURSDAY
10am-7pm Fun and free activities at AFL Grand Final Live Site including a kids’ zone with activities, interactive displays and prize giveaways from the AFL Playground, Disney, CBeebies, Nickelodeon and more.
AFL Auskick clinics run every hour with a chance to meet AFL players.
12pm AFL 9s showcase game at the AFL Grand Final Live Site in Yarra Park.
5pm-7pm Presto Movies at the MCG, with a free public screening of the film Minions.
FRIDAY
10am-7pm Fun and free activities at AFL Grand Final Live Site including a kids’ zone with activities, interactive displays and prize giveaways from the AFL Playground, Disney, CBeebies, Nickelodeon and more.
Noon-1pm 2016 AFL Grand Final Parade from Old Treasury Building, along Wellington Parade to the Foxtel Footy Festival’s AFL Grand Final Live Site in Yarra Park outside Gate 3, with the teams presented on stage.
1.30pm NAB All Stars under 18 match, Team O’Loughlin v Team Judd at Punt Road Oval.
5pm-7pm Grand Final Eve concert at Yarra Park featuring Australian hip hop artist Illy.
SATURDAY
9am Free footy activities at the AFL Grand Final Live Site.
10am Fox Footy longest kick, an attempt to kick 75m across the Yarra River at Birrarung Marr.
2.30pm 2016 AFL Grand Final — Sydney Swans v Western Bulldogs at the MCG.
6pm-8pm Premiership party and post-match celebration at the MCG. Premiership team presented on stage. Free entry via Gates 5, 6 and 7.
SUNDAY
11am-4pm MCG Open Day with free access to the ground, face painting, cricket clinics, entertainment, pony rides and more.
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