World Cup: MCG keen to show Matildas vs. France on big screen ahead of Carlton vs. Melbourne
Only one thing stands between AFL fans being able to watch the Matildas’ World Cup quarter-final before Melbourne and Carlton’s MCG blockbuster.
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The AFL wants to show the Matildas’ cutthroat quarter-final against France on the big screen at the MCG before the Carlton-Melbourne clash on Saturday night in a major win for sports fans.
The AFL and the MCG on Thursday gave the green light to screen the Matildas’ blockbuster World Cup eliminator from 5pm for fans as they arrived at the ground.
But the ball was still in Carlton’s court late on Thursday night as the home team for Saturday night’s game and the club in charge of what is produced on the MCG big screen.
Sources remained confident it would receive the go-ahead as about 72,000 fans prepare to pack the MCG for the double dose of top-line sporting action including one of the AFL games of the season.
The start time for the Round 22 blockbuster was put back five minutes to kick-off at 7.30pm to help accommodate the soccer match first from Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
But there still may be some nervous moments as the World Cup quarter-final could continue past the first bounce if the Matildas’ clash goes into extra time and penalties.
The AFL on Thursday put aside any cross-code rivalry when it supported the plan to show the soccer game inside the stadium, ensuring footy fans can watch both sports Saturday evening.
The Matildas game will also appear on televisions in bars and on the concourse at the MCG.
The league wanted to make sure it looked after sports fans and didn’t leave them with a tough decision to put their AFL club loyalties ahead of their support for the national women’s soccer team.
The Matildas game will also be shown at the SCG following the Swans and Gold Coast match from 1.45pm in Sydney.
The nation’s eyes will be glued to the Matildas’ clash after their Round of 16 win over Denmark drew 6.54 million eyeballs across the country on Monday night.
Channel 7 head of sport Lewis Martin said Saturday night promised to be a memorable night of sport.
“This Saturday will be a historic moment for all Australians, and the biggest night of sport since Sydney 2000 as the mighty Matildas look to capitalise on their inspiring World Cup campaign,” Martin said.
“We have worked closely with the AFL to adjust bounce times for certain games on Saturday to ensure no one misses a minute of what will be a massive night for both women’s football and AFL.”
The MCG big screen decision is certain to help generate an exciting atmosphere inside the stadium as the two form teams of the AFL go head-to-head at the MCG.
Melbourne is still in the hunt for a top-two spot, while Carlton will shoot for an eighth-straight victory to help secure a spot in the eight for the first time in a decade.
The Blues first raised the big screen idea with league chiefs as the home team which controls the big screen content for Saturday night’s game.
But the club was yet to work through everything associated with the call on Thursday night.
A huge crowd is also expected at Federation Square to watch the Matildas’ game.
The Brisbane versus Adelaide clash at the Gabba will also be on at the same time as the Matildas’ game at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
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Originally published as World Cup: MCG keen to show Matildas vs. France on big screen ahead of Carlton vs. Melbourne
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