Gather Round sold out claims exposed by vision of empty seats

One of the AFL’s biggest talking points out of Gather Round has been called out by fans with damning images exposing the claim.

Empty seats everywhere at sold out game.

The AFL’s inaugural Gather Round is off and running with fans being treated to four games so far during the round five spectacle.

Unfortunately it was the fifth game of the round that exposed one of the league’s biggest talking points.

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Keen to show just how big a hit the first instalment of Gather Round is, one of the major points of emphasis was drawing fans from all over to every single contest.

When all nine games were listed as having been sold out the trumpets could be heard ringing out from the AFL headquarters.

That all fell apart however when footy fans flicked their TV’s on for the late Saturday afternoon contest between Melbourne and Essendon.

Despite both teams holding 3-1 records and sitting inside the top four on the ladder entering the round, the fans failed to flock through the gates for the encounter.

As the cameras panned out ahead of the opening bounce, empty seats could be seen as far as the eye could see.

Empty seats everywhere at sold out game.

Empty seats stood out like a sore thumb. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Adelaide Oval has a capacity of more than 53,000 and while the early conditions saw rain falling, the images of the stands show that figure won’t be in any trouble.

Footy fans didn’t hesitate to point out the blatant issue with the AFL’s ticket claim.

Nine News’ Nat Yoannidis wrote: “The AFL has an odd definition of ‘sell out’.”

The Advocate’s Alex Fair wrote: “There’s a lot of empty seats for a so-called “sell out”.”

Adelaide must have a different definition to sell out to the rest of Australia going off this game #GatherRound#AFLDonsDees

— Brad (@Bradcmelb) April 15, 2023

Thought every game was sold out for Gather Round ….. joint is half empty 🤷‍♂️ #AFLDonsDees

— Franc Vescio 🤟🏻 (@bomberfranc) April 15, 2023

#AFLDonsDees wow Gillon McLachlan its sold out... .

— JimboJones (@JimboJJJones) April 15, 2023

Despite the bleak looking crowd in attendance for the fifth contest of the round, the numbers have flocked to Gather Round.

Sports statiscian SirSwampThing on Twitter noted the opening four contests had shattered the records for footy matches in Adelaide.

“106,187 through the gates so far. With 5 games to go Gather Round is the largest attended weekend of football in South Australia (@SANFL & V/@AFL combined),” he tweeted.

Another reason for the potential lacklustre crowd showing in the opening quarter is the contest is the first of two double-headers to take place at Adelaide Oval.

Port Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs will play straight after the Demons and Bombers match comes to an end.

The AFL expected more fans to be in attendance for the second game of the doubleheader with Port Adelaide fans buying a “significant portion of tickets”, according to Fox Footy.