Ikon Park gates closed after capacity crowd arrives to watch AFLW opener between Carlton and Collingwood

UPDATE: THE AFL is considering moving more AFLW games - including the Grand Final - to bigger stadiums after extraordinary scenes at Ikon Park. VOTE NOW

Carlton players enter the field. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

THE massive AFL Womens crowd could force a Grand Final re-think.

More than 22,000 fans descended on Ikon Park for the first match in the new competition, between Carlton and Collingwood, resulting in gates being closed and more than 1000 people being locked outside before gates were opened at three-quarter time.

The game had been originally been scheduled at Collingwood’s home ground - Olympic Park - before a call was made last month to shift it to the Blues’ home base.

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The AFL is already in discussions with the Magpies about the possibility of moving next weekend’s AFL Women’s clash.

League general manager of game development Simon Lethlean said moving more games throughout the season – starting next weekend – isn’t out of the question.

“I think we’ll have a look at next week’s matches - we’ve got Collingwood and Melbourne at Olympic Park,” he said.

All rise for the national anthem. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

“We’ll talk to Collingwood about what we think the crowd might be there. We can always bring that game here (to Ikon Park) on Saturday night.

“There’s a Carlton game in the afternoon and we can do a double-header if we think it’s the way to go. We’ve spoken to (Collingwood chief executive) Gary Pert to have a think about it overnight and we’ll think about it.”

Lethlean added the Grand Final venue was still to be decided.

“It certainly means that we’ll have to think about the best place to hold it so the most people can come,” he said.

“It’s obviously Round 1 that week and we’ve got AFL venues being used, and there’s issues to think about with home ground advantage and that stuff. We’ve got a few weeks to work it out.

“We’ll work out three or four options and have a good chat about all of them, but it certainly shows that there’s interest in the game.

“If it needs to be here (at Ikon Park) or bigger, we’ll have to work out how we can do it.”

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan fronted disappointed fans outside Ikon Park, simply saying “I’m sorry.”

McLachlan apologised to fans who are still stuck outside and admitted the league had been “overwhelmed” by the turnout.

“It’s exciting,” the chief executive said. “I want to thank everyone ... it’s been a really amazing response. We’re a little overwhelmed, clearly, with the turnout tonight but the atmosphere is amazing. Everyone’s still here — no ones gone — and it’s been a fun night.”

AFL Chairman Mike Fitzpatrick echoed McLachlan’s comment, saying the league was taken aback by the crowd at Ikon.

“Well, as you know, we moved the game from Olympic Park because I think we knew it was going to be bigger than six or 7000 people,” he said.

The first bounce of the inaugural AFLW season. Picture: Wayne Ludbey

There were no empty seats at Ikon Park for the first AFLW game. Picture: Rob Leeson

“I think we were thinking in the week about 12,000 or so. It’s just got bigger and bigger as you can see.”

Lethlean said Ikon Park has proven itself as a venue that “works” and will be considered for any future moves, and also said that plans for the inaugural AFL women’s grand final will also be influenced by last night’s crowd.

He backed the AFL’s response to the “overwhelming” capacity crowd that saw chief executive Gillon McLachlan apologising to fans over loudspeakers and in person.

“We’ve got experienced guys in charge of security,” Lethlean said.

“They made a call with the police to shut the gates during the first quarter – locked out about 1000 people but that was for safety reasons and the right call.

“It was an extraordinary crowd and we encourage fans to keep coming all weekend. Free games, free access.”

Give the women the MCG for their GF. Don't you think? What more do they have left to prove? #aflw #bigstage #equality

— Jessica Halloran (@JessiHalloran) February 3, 2017

Gillon McLachlan tells mad/proud-as fans that the crowd is full 'YOU SHOULD HAVE MOVED IT TO ETIHAD!' 'I KNOW THAT!' #AFWL pic.twitter.com/lNo9Q8O9YH

— Jess O'Callaghan (@jessocallaghan) February 3, 2017

A lock out at Princes Park.
This is Collingwood v Carlton.
This is something else #gopies pic.twitter.com/zuNFgfLPEq

— Collingwood AFLW (@CollingwoodFCW) February 3, 2017

This is the queue still waiting to get in to the #aflw almost 5 minutes after start time! pic.twitter.com/NlQ21ZYeN6

— Clementine Ford (@clementine_ford) February 3, 2017

Lock out at Ikon Park.
Sold out!
If we needed evidence @aflwomens was long overdue we just got it. #WatchTheWomen

— Louise Pascale (@loupascale) February 3, 2017

Melbourne sport and sporting fans, take a deep bow. A freakin lock out at Ikon Park. Looking superb on the TV. #AFLW #AFLWBluesPies @7Sport

— Carmen ❤️⚪️💙🐶 (@Mansfield_Petro) February 3, 2017

Instruction was from VicPol to shut the gates due to size of crowd. An estimated 1-2,000 remain outside. #AFLWBluesPies

— Lauren Wood (@LaurenA_Wood) February 3, 2017

It's official. Gates have been closed. Ikon Park is FULL! #AFLWBluesPies

— Lauren Wood (@LaurenA_Wood) February 3, 2017

Confirmation police forced lock out. Up to 2000 outside gates of Ikon Park. #AFLWBluesPies

— Sarah Olle (@sarahjolle) February 3, 2017

Originally published as Ikon Park gates closed after capacity crowd arrives to watch AFLW opener between Carlton and Collingwood