Tickets for Alice Springs AFL game between Melbourne and St Kilda sold out within an hour

MANY Alice Springs AFL fans were left disappointed after missing out on tickets for Melbourne’s Red Centre match-up against St Kilda with crowd capacity reduced due to COVID-19 guidelines

With limited capacity the tickets for the Alice Springs-hosted match between Melbourne and St Kilda sold out in under an hour. Picture: Michael Dodge

MANY Alice Springs AFL fans were left fuming after missing out on tickets for Melbourne’s red centre matchup against St Kilda with crowd capacity reduced due to COVID-19 guidelines.

Based on the COVID Event Plan only 1939 fans were allowed into TIO Traeger Park for the Round 14 encounter with tickets officially selling out at 4.14pm on Tuesday, 44 minutes after going on sale.

This comes a week after a Darwin blockbuster doubleheader which allowed 5,461 patrons into TIO Stadium, though the configuration of Traeger Park did not allow for as high a number.

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AFLNT CEO Stuart Totham recognised many had missed out on the much anticipated event but also suggested that other opportunities would be available for the Alice Springs AFL faithful.

“The people of Central Australia love their footy and the speed at which the tickets to the AFL game were snapped up is proof of that,” Totham said.

“We understand there are fans who missed out but our limited capacity is in accordance with the COVID Event Plan which is mandatory for us to run this event and to look after the health of the wider community.

“We are exploring other opportunities for people to feel like they are part of the celebration and hope to share something shortly.

“We look forward to welcoming Melbourne and St Kilda and showcasing another part of NT culture as well as one of the most picturesque footy ovals in the country with a national audience.”

However, a number of disgruntled fans were quick to vent their frustrations online claiming they were unable to purchase tickets earlier than the official sellout time.

“Why bother bringing games to the Territory when it’s hard for people to get tickets,” Anna Hayes said on Facebook.

“I was trying from 3.30pm and couldn’t even add to the cart then while I was still trying at 3.36pm tickets were sold out.”

Another poster Sarah France, an AFL Gold member of 37 years and St Kilda Football Club member, also missed on the tickets despite looking to purchase them from 3.25pm.

“Shame club supporters through AFL memberships have missed out,” Ms France said.

“And yes, I was online since 3.25pm to purchase them.”

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Melbourne and St Kilda will kick off from 7.10pm on Friday with both sides looking for a win following recent losses.