AFL close to finalising plan for fans to attend matches this year

The AFL is close to finalising a plan to allow fans to attend matches this season. But clubs aren’t completely sold on the idea, with one main issue giving them cause for concern.

Clubs are worried the return of small numbers of fans to AFL games could come at a significant financial cost if strict social distancing protocols remain in place.

The AFL is moving closer to finalising a plan that would allow crowds to attend matches this season.

Melbourne-based clubs have questioned what the cost could be to ensure fans comply with restrictions as the MCG and Marvel Stadium work on plans which would allow fans back through the gates.

The Brisbane Lions also held talks with the Gabba last week about bringing back supporters when government restrictions are relaxed, but have similar concerns around the potential cost.

“There’s still a bit of work to be done but one of the things obviously is the financial impact,” Brisbane chief executive Greg Swann said.

“For example, if you’re going to sit everyone in every third seat, you might get between five and eight thousand people but then if you’ve got to have a security guard every 5m telling them to keep apart then it’s not going to be very financial for you.

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Crowds back at the footy? McLachlan is hopeful. Picture: David Caird

“But there’s a will there. The Gabba have been looking at it. We’ll keep talking to them and hopefully as things free up we’ll get people back into the stadium.”

As the league eyes its June 11 return to playing, chief executive Gillon McLachlan said the league had an “80 per cent finalised” plan for crowds to return to the game, which has taken its cues from international sports, stadiums and health experts, including fans having their temperature taken on entry to the ground.

He is optimistic that crowds could return to football at some point this season, and declared that “we’ll be ready” if attendance is given the green light.

“We’ll be ready when the health officers say we’re right … I think we’re in good shape,” he said.

“Every day that goes past, there’s a better chance.

“This is one where I’m not going to run ahead of the health officials and governments, but I do feel that it feels like the community is doing such an unbelievable job and our officials and health officers have done such a good job.

“We’re heading in a direction where we’re getting back to life. When that looks like and if that’s possible, I don’t know.

“But we’ll be ready.”

Broadcasters are investigating the use of fake crowd noise when games begin in 13 days’ time, which was used in the NRL on Thursday night and won McLachlan’s support.

“I saw a bit of it. I thought the canned crowd noise was good. I thought it was a positive,” he said.

“Our broadcasters, I know, are looking at lots of different things. I know they’re looking at that.

“I thought it added to the atmosphere of the game.

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“I think so (our game is slightly different in tempo than NRL) … it’s about how you do it in real time.

“I’ve seen a couple of things they’ve been trying … but they’ve been trying some stuff. There’s some real skill in it – some technical stuff. They’re wanting to get it right.”

Swann said he remained confident 18 AFL teams can survive and believes his own club will bounce back and continue to wipe off its debt.

The Lions owe the AFL $10 million and have a further $7 million of bank debt.

“If you had another pandemic or the pandemic lasted years then we’d all be in trouble,” Swann said on Fox Footy Live.

“Before the pandemic, we made close to $2 million last year. We were going to make $3 million plus this year, so we were really going to make some serious inroads into our debt. So I have no fear that we would survive.”

Brisbane will play its first four games at the Gabba, with the AFL to announce fixtures for rounds six and seven after the completion of Round 3.

Originally published as AFL close to finalising plan for fans to attend matches this year