Big crowd estimates leave organisers guessing ahead of historic game

IN a game with no ticket sales, spare a thought for the caterers trying to prepare for an unknown crowd.

Maree Smith works in the canteen at North Hobart Oval and is gearing up for the first AFLW game to be held at the oval tomorrow. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

IN a game with no ticket sales, spare a thought for the caterers trying to prepare for an unknown crowd.

Predictions for the state’s first AFLW game tomorrow between the North Melbourne-Tasmania Kangaroos and Carlton fluctuate widely from 3000 all the way up to 8000.

Queen of the kiosk, Maree Smith, is tasked with ordering the pies, savs and pastries for the historic clash.

“You’ve just got to guess,” Ms Smith said. “Only one time we nearly ran out of food. I normally order a bit more just in case.

“They reckon 8000, but I’m not sure. We are going to cater for 5000 and we’ve got practice matches and so forth, nothing goes to waste.”

On her side is experience, having been involved with the club for more than 30 years and as the kiosk manager for the past 12.

She has never seen North Hobart Oval in better nick ahead of tomorrow’s game, and the ground is only going to get better with an $830,000 Federal grant to be rolled out this year on a range of upgrades, including the demolition and rebuild of the 1962 canteen above the terraces.

“It will be good, marvellous, it is needed very badly,” she said.