SCG scenes for Swans vs Demons proof AFL got Opening Round right

Wild scenes outside the SCG ahead of the AFL season opener have quashed any concerns the league’s Opening Round would be a fizzer.

If there was any concern the AFL’s Opening Round would fall flat with fans, one glance at pre-match scenes outside the SCG would delight league bosses.

The Sydney Swans take on Melbourne on Thursday night in the first game of the season in a significant change from the traditional season opener at the MCG.

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It’s the first of four games being played in Sydney and southeast Queensland this weekend as the AFL looks to strike a blow against the NRL in rugby league’s heartland.

And the AFL season is set to start with a bang as a bumper crowd filtered into the SCG hours before the first bounce.

Gates opened at 5.30pm local time and a massive queue snaked all the way down Driver Avenue as SCG members queued up to get the best seat in the house.

The scenes of thousands of fans clad in red and white lining up outside the SCG members gates were reminiscent of cricket punters queuing up at the crack of dawn for a prime spot in the Members’ Stand for an Ashes Test.

The massive queue for the members gate. Photo: News.com.au

A DJ brings the vibes. Photo: News.com.au

Once the gates opened, Swans supporters and a sprinkling of Demons fans raced in to snag a seat in the Old Members’ Stand, Ladies Stand and the Bradman and Noble Stand at the Paddington end.

Swans fans have long been sledged as notoriously fickle especially if the team is struggling for form or if there isn’t a marquee player in the side.

But a capacity crowd for the first game of the season will be a welcome sight for the Swans and AFL hierarchy, who are determined to make Opening Round a success.

However, there was an intriguing lack of “Opening Round” signage outside the SCG after the AFL spruiked the slogan “Opening Round has a new postcode” during the week.

The excitement peaked when the Swans players walked out through a guard of honour outside the ground as part of a pre-game tribute to the 150th anniversary of the club.

The Swans players walk through a guard of honour outside the SCG before the game. (Photo by Matt King/AFL Photos/Getty Images)

The players were loving it. Photo: Phil Hillyard.

You only usualy see these SCG queues for cricket Tests. Photo: News.com.au.

Opening Round’s real litmus test will come on Saturday night when the GWS Giants host reigning premiers Collingwood at Sydney Showgrounds a couple of hours after the Eels play the Bulldogs in the NRL in Parramatta.

Anything less than a full house at ENGIE Stadium (formerly GIANTS Stadium) would be a disappointment.

However, on Thursday afternoon, the Giants announced the match was official a sell-out with all general public, standing room and hospitality tickets exhausted.

On the field, Errol Gulden and Chad Warner will lead Sydney’s midfield in the absence of injured trio Luke Parker, Taylor Adams and Callum Mills.

New recruits James Jordan and Brodie Grundy will make their club debuts, with Grundy going head to head with former teammate Max Gawn in the ruck.