North Melbourne boss Ben Amarfio says digital ticketing issues to blame for drop in AFL crowds

North Melbourne chief Ben Amarfio has given his verdict in a drop in AFL crowds, but urged fans to be patient as the league rolls out a digital ticketing system.

North Melbourne chief executive Ben Amarfio has urged the club’s fans to persevere with new digital ticket technology with the reward a potential return to 100 per cent crowds.

Amarfio told the Herald Sun on Thursday that reluctance to buy digital-only tickets and tackle QR codes was “absolutely” one of the reasons for slow early crowds.

He said Round 2’s crowds were down by 28 per cent compared to 2019, with some fans slow to get back into the swing of live footy and others scared off by new technology.

Kangaroo Ben Cunnington has a disagreement with Dustin Martin.

But the AFL and Roos have already sold 25,000 tickets for the Good Friday clash against the Western Bulldogs with the hope of a crowd in excess of 25,000.

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Amarfio said Roos had already exceeded last year’s membership figure but urged fans to roll up to Marvel Stadium on Friday.

“We looked at the numbers and Round 2 versus the numbers in 2019 the AFL was 28 per cent off. So across the board it’s been an issue. That is understandable with a brand new system with digital-only tickets and QR codes and up until last week you couldn’t walk up,” he said.

“(On Good Friday) you can still purchase tickets on the day via your phone. So we are working out the glitches with digital issues and the AFL membership services team and Ticketmaster are working hard to make it as smooth as possible. It is getting better each week and we have had a pretty good take-up for tomorrow so we would like to get over 30,000 fans which would be great.”

North Melbourne has urged its fans to continue backing new digital ticketing.

Fans have hoped they might be able to return to paper tickets at some stage this year but Amarfio said digital tickets allowed the state government to track fans in the case of a COVID outbreak.

“People forget that this time last year none of us were in games in Victoria. We are in a privileged position but the price is we can track and trace people with digital tickets and QR codes. So we can protect the health of the community and it also gives us the opportunity to hopefully get from 75 per cent to 100 per cent.

“As much as it’s a pain to have a few extra hurdles to purchase a ticket, the upside is that we are at 34 days without community transmission and if we keep doing this we could be in a position where we could be at 100 per cent capacity.”

Seven-year-old Ralph Rodgers with Melbourne Storm co-captain Dale Finucane, Western Bulldogs skipper Marcus Bontempelli, North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell and Melbourne United captain Chris Goulding to promote the Good Friday Appeal. Picture: Michael Klein

Amarfio said despite an extremely disappointing showing against Gold Coast last week the Roos fans were on board with the rebuild.

“Our members get it, they do. It was an amazing sight for us in game one when we played Port Adelaide and lost by eight goals and the boys were clapped off. Now that’s rare. We were surprised but it said to us the members get it, they get we are going through a transformation.

“We have one of the youngest lists in the comp and getting there won’t be an easy or quick fix but they appreciated the desire and effort. Round 2 we were very disappointed with ourselves but hopefully we respond and bounce back.”

‘Unacceptable’: Skipper puts Roos on notice

North Melbourne skipper Jack Ziebell has labelled last weekend’s heavy loss to Gold Coast as ‘not what we stand for’ and demanded a response from his young side on Good Friday.

In the first half against the Suns last Saturday night, the winless Kangaroos conceded 9.6 and kicked just 2.4 on their way to a 59-point thrashing.

Ziebell said morale within the playing group remained strong, but stressed a much improved showing against the Western Bulldogs at Marvel Stadium was crucial.

“It was unacceptable and the performance was not what we stand for, and it’s something our members and fans would definitely be disappointed to see,” Ziebell said.

The Roos were thumped by the Suns in Round 2. Picture: Getty Images

“But we understand that going forward we’re going to put better performances together and we’ve shown in bits and parts this year against Port Adelaide this year, and even on the Gold Coast there were bits in that where we showed we can do it.

“One of the key indicators that came out of that game was we have opportunities to play really well, but it’s about taking them and making sure we make those areas count.

“We do that we’re going to be in the game and in the hunt, and from there we’ll be a real sniff, so that’s the plan.

“We’ll definitely expect a response on Friday.

“The boys are pretty good, the coach is fantastic and he has some really good messages in those situations.”

Ziebell described the inclusion of gun onballer Ben Cunnington against the Bulldogs as “huge.”

The star midfielder suffered a horror 2020 campaign, playing just two and a half matches early in the year, then suffering a concussion at training this pre-season.

Senior coach David Noble was not impressed on Saturday night. Picture: Getty Images

“I know him pretty well and I know it’s absolutely been killing him (not playing),” Ziebell said.

“He’s missed about 12 months of footy so it’s been a very long time, and I don’t think he’s ever missed that much footy in his life.

“I think he’s rediscovered his passion and love for football, and it’s not that ever lost it but being out of the team has made him really keen to get back.”

The Roos captain said he was relishing his new role off halfback so far this season.

“I really enjoy seeing the game ahead of you and trying to provide a bit of leadership in the back half,” he said.

Originally published as North Melbourne boss Ben Amarfio says digital ticketing issues to blame for drop in AFL crowds