Cap on footy crowds ‘absurd’

Victoria’s health team have been labelled “killjoys” as pressure mounts on them to increase the number of fans allowed at the AFL’s season opener.

Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett wants 100,000 fans at this week’s AFL season opener at the MCG as health experts back a push for bigger crowds at the footy.

The state government is ­allowing just 50,000 fans — half the capacity — to ­attend Thursday’s blockbuster between Richmond and Carlton.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp and business groups are also calling for a bigger crowd, saying it would provide a boost to Melbourne’s battling CBD.

Mr Kennett said there was no reason the ground should not be at full ­capacity.

“The public have had enough,” he said. “It’s absurd we can have all these gatherings … but can’t go to the bloody footy.”

The former premier ­labelled the state’s health team as “killjoys” for allowing only 50,000 fans at the game.

“All these bloody medical people can sit in a room and talk among themselves while we go to the footy,” he said.

Pressure is mounting on the government to allow more fans at the footy.

The Sunday Herald Sun ­revealed Ms Capp and the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wanted 75,000 fans at Thursday’s game.

Senior figures in the ­Andrews government are ­believed to be supportive. The decision will rest with chief health officer Brett Sutton.

Deakin University epidemiologist Catherine Bennett said easy-access parking, zoning systems and extra public transport options would lower the risk, saying 75,000 people was acceptable.

“I do think we’re ready for this,” Dr Bennett said.

The main consequence of lifting the cap was the risk of inconvenience as opposed to transmission, she said.

The MCG has been empty for more than a year.

Fans outside the ‘G

This was because the number of contacts at a venue would be higher in the event of an outbreak, pushing more people into isolation.

University of South Australia epidemiologist Adrian ­Esterman said he would support ground capacities of 75 per cent as long as precautions — such as wearing masks around the venue — were in place.

But Melbourne University epidemiologist Nancy Baxter said while a bigger crowd was unlikely to lead to a “super spreader event” an increase this Thursday was too soon.

“I am more concerned about everything leading up to people being in their seats (public transport, entering the stadium) as opposed to them being in their seats,” she said.

Originally published as Cap on footy crowds ‘absurd’