The Demons’ MCG premiership celebration could lead to Boxing Day Test full house

Melbourne’s MCG premiership shindig won’t just be a celebration of their drought-breaking flag — it could also pave the way for a full house on Boxing Day.

Melbourne’s planned premiership celebrations at the MCG in December could be the ideal test case to spark a full house for the Boxing Day Test.

The Demons are seeking state government approval to celebrate their drought-breaking flag with up to 40,000 fans at the famous Melbourne ground on December 5.

The Andrews government has already announced this week it wants 80,000 people at day one of the Melbourne Test against England in a move welcomed by MCC chief executive Stuart Fox.

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But the Victorian government could lift all crowd caps by November 24 if Victoria hits 90 per cent vaccination — leaving a full month of evidence heading into the Boxing Day Test.

It could then allow the state government to safely fill the MCG with fully vaccinated patrons on December 26 in a remarkable celebration that could even eclipse the bumper 91,112 fans that poured into the MCG to watch the first day of the 2013 Ashes Test.

Could we see a packed house on Boxing Day? Picture: Mark Stewart

“We are thrilled with 80,000. It’s great news,” Fox told the Herald Sun.

“There is always a possibility there could be more, but ultimately it’s determined by the government.”

Melbourne Football Club is hopeful of hosting between 30,000 and 40,000 fans at a December 5 celebration of its premiership but still needs official approval for a crowd of that size from Victorian health authorities.

The MCC and Melbourne are talking to the state government about an event which will be ticketed but is expected to be free to Demons supporters.

It will be an ideal test run for the MCC, which will have QR codes and security staff on hand to check vaccine certificates but expects some small delays at gates as the only by-product of mandatory vaccinations.

Massive crowds are expected to flood venues including massive shopping centres such as Chadstone this Friday night from 6pm as the latest restrictions are eased and the state closes in on 80 per cent double vaccination.

The Demons are planning a big celebration at the MCG. Picture: Michael Klein

The quicker the state gets to 90 per cent double vaccination and even above that figure the more chance there is that the state government’s health department will feel comfortable increasing crowd capacities.

While 80,000 would normally be ample capacity for Boxing Day, it is expected to there will be a huge rush to attend this year’s contest for several reasons.

Not only will it be a critical Ashes Test, it will also provide a platform for a celebration of the end of the pandemic.

Fans who normally attend one of the five days of the Boxing Day test will clamour to be at the historic event.

Premier Dan Andrews said this week he was confident the government would deliver 80,000 fans but was not sure about a full house.

“I want to see 80,000-plus people at the Boxing Day Test on day one, that’s what I want to see,” he said.

“We are determined to deliver that. It won’t be easy. I think selling the tickets will be pretty easy.

“But we are very confident, very, very confident that we’ll be able to deliver that, provided Victorians continue to get their second doses, and those who haven’t yet made up their mind, go and get your first and second dose as every person who’s vaccinated in good time gives us more options, gives us more freedom, sees less people in hospital, less pressure on our nurses.”