AFL set to work through how to allocate the 2000 seats available for Queensland blockbuster
Crowds of up to 2000 will be at three AFL matches this weekend after another State Government eased COVID-19 restrictions. But which clubs will get access to tickets for some big upcoming blockbusters?
Sydney
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The AFL was on Wednesday night yet to work through how to allocate the 2000 seats suddenly available for Richmond’s heavyweight clash against West Coast in Round 5.
The Tiger supporters permitted to attend Gold Coast’s Metricon Stadium on July 2 will be the first to see their champion team since last year’s 89-point Grand Final victory at the MCG.
But the Willy Wonka-type race to secure the golden tickets will probably be confined to Queensland-based supporters due to border closures.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Wednesday vowed to keep her border closed until Victoria and New South Wales “get on top of their community transmission” of COVID-19.
Still, the Tigers have around 3400 Queensland-based members that would jump at the chance to see their team play.
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Similarly, the powerhouse Eagles also have a decent number of supporters living in the sunshine state.
The Queensland government on Wednesday announced that crowds of up to 2000 would be allowed at the Gabba and Metricon Stadium from this weekend.
While the Suns run Metricon Stadium, the AFL, as the event hirer, is understood to be in charge of allocating the tickets for the Tigers-Eagles clash.
The Tigers and Eagles were both unaware what the likely breakdown would be.
The AFL’s return to spectators working group, led by former Western Bulldogs chief executive David Stevenson, continues to meet this week.
It is focusing on Round 3 and understandably aware the landscape could significantly change again by Round 5.
But as the Round 5 clash is West Coast’s home game there could only be a handful of tickets available for Richmond fans.
Gold Coast on Wednesday confirmed that 1500 tickets would go to its premium category members for Sunday’s home clash against Adelaide.
About 250 tickets will be given to corporates and then a further set of tickets will go to staff members who have been stood down and the families of competing players.
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Crows supporters will receive just 50-100 tickets (2.5-5 per cent).
Similarly, Eagles fans will receive just 50 tickets from the 2000 available for their away clash against Brisbane Lions at the Gabba on Saturday.
“We’re absolutely pumped to get the news this morning that 2000 fans can come back to the Gabba,” Lions boss Greg Swann said.
“We’re hopeful that the people who do get in make plenty of noise.”