The Victorian government has given the go-ahead for full capacity crowds in Melbourne to kick off the start of the AFL season.
Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said the COVID-safe plans for both the MCG and Marvel Stadium allowed for capacity crowds for the start of the season.
The AFL will be back to 100 per cent capacity. Credit: John Donegan
“It will be sensational to have no crowd limits for round one, especially with all 10 Victorian teams playing in Melbourne that week,” he said.
Under the current rules, other venues with a capacity of fewer than 30,000 people - including the under-development GMHBA Stadium in Geelong - do not require approval to host full-capacity events.
Attendees will still have to use QR codes to check into games, and wear masks when they are moving around stadiums - however, not when they are sitting outdoors.
The AFL will open the season with a grand final rematch between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs on Wednesday, March 16, with all 10 Victorian teams to play in Melbourne in the first round.
Carlton and Richmond will play on the Thursday night of round one at the MCG, followed by St Kilda v Collingwood at Marvel Stadium on the Friday night.
Geelong host Essendon at the MCG on Saturday afternoon, and the all-Victorian bonanza will round out with Hawthorn-North Melbourne in the early timeslot of 1.10pm on the Sunday.
Treasurer Tim Pallas said the change signalled getting back to “COVID normal”.
“I’m pretty excited about it,” he said. “I’d imagine that every Victorian who’s been through a lot - and I think we can all collectively say that we’ve been through a lot - would be looking forward to the opportunity to watch the footy in a crowd.
“The onset of this pandemic has really had a profound impact upon people’s ability to enjoy what’s great about Melbourne; our cultural, our sporting pursuits [and] what’s great about Victoria in many respects, so now hopefully, we’ll get back to COVID normal.”
The Treasurer reiterated Premier Daniel Andrews’ assurance that, if all went well in terms of COVID-19 in the coming days, authorities would likely announce masks could come off indoors by next Friday.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan celebrated the return of big crowds in Melbourne.
“We want to get big crowds back to the footy, the weekly ritual of being able to go to a game and the sense of community it creates, connecting families and friends is something we have missed in the state,” he said in a statement released on Friday morning.
“We have a big finish to our AFLW home-and-away season which again has been warmly embraced by fans and supporters across the state, rolling straight into our AFL season and the grand final rematch on the Wednesday night at the MCG.
“Footy can hopefully help bring the heartbeat of the city back to Melbourne and back to the state of Victoria.”
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