Port Adelaide players push for more fans, State government confirms grand final push

Power stars Travis Boak and Ollie Wines are urging the state government to boost crowd capacity for next week’s home double-chance final.

Port Adelaide star Travis Boak has called on SA Premier Steven Marshall to allow a big crowd at the club’s home qualifying final next week.

After the Power’s thrilling two-point win over the Western Bulldogs on Friday night ensured a top-two finish and the right to host a double-chance blockbuster at Adelaide Oval, Boak said he was looking forward to playing in front of plenty of supporters.

The ground had a reduced capacity of 15,000 for Port Adelaide’s match against Carlton last weekend as part of Covid restrictions.

“Top two, home final, can’t wait to get back home,” Boak told Channel 7 post-match on Friday night.

“Hopefully we can have our fans there and pack that out.

“So Steve, hopefully you can pack out the Adelaide Oval and let the numbers come in.”

Boak’s shout-out was not missed by the commentators.

Port Adelaide players Travis Boak and Ollie Wines have urged the state government to increase capacity for AFL finals at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I think that was a plea from Travis Boak to the Premier Steve Marshall over there (to) make sure you let lots of people in,” Channel 7’s Brian Taylor said.

Later, Power vice-captain Ollie Wines shared a similar sentiment on TV: “Hopefully they bump up capacity and get Adelaide Oval rocking.”

But a decision on crowd capacity will not be made until late next week, according to SA Health.

They said confirmation on crowd numbers would not be given over the weekend.

The Advertiser put questions to the Premier regarding crowd capacity increases for next week’s finals, but were referred to Trade Minister Stephen Patterson’s Saturday morning press conference, where he discussed the potential of hosting a grand final at the Adelaide Oval.

“Of course, we’re working with the AFL, putting our best foot forward to convince them that is a possibility that they will look to investigate.

The health and safety of South Australians is our number one priority, so we’d have to look at that and work with SA Health to make sure it is safe to do so.

Mr Patterson said hosting finals would reap benefits for the CBD.

Trade and Investment Minister Stephen Patterson. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

“These finals and the grand final would be a fantastic way to really boost the vibrancy in the CBD, and get people coming into restaurants, staying at hotels, visiting clubs and that’s a really good thing for South Australians.

Mr Patterson also reassured families that this year’s Christmas Pageant will be a live, in-person event this year.

“I can assure kids that Father Christmas will be coming to Adelaide this year,” he said.

“We know it’s a highlight in kid’s calendars and so with that in mind, we’re working with SA Health to see how we can deliver a pageant safely.”

Originally published as Port Adelaide players push for more fans, State government confirms grand final push