Galleries and everything you need to know about the AFL Gather Round in Adelaide
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The wet weekend has not been able to rain on South Australia’s parade as the first AFL Gather Round made a big splash for footy fans of all stripes.
Thousands turned out at Norwood and Adelaide ovals today to witness another jam-packed program in the inaugural AFL footy festival.
And The Advertiser and Sunday Mail’s photographers have been out in force too. So far we’ve collected hundreds of photos of footy fans from SA and far beyond. Are you one of them?
See all the pictures below.
SUNDAY AT ADELAIDE OVAL’S DOUBLE HEADER AND NORWOOD OVAL:
SATURDAY’S ADELAIDE OVAL DOUBLE HEADER:
SATURDAY AT MOUNT BARKER AND ADELAIDE OVAL:
Heading to Gather Round matches this weekend? More rain is expected for Adelaide, so pack that poncho.
The sun should peek out on Sunday with a high of 18C and an early showers.
It will continue to clear on Monday with a medium chance of rain and a high of 21C.
FRIDAY NIGHT:
THURSDAY NIGHT:
Mount Barker's Summit Sport and Recreation Park is looking a treat, a day before the Adelaide Hills ground hosts its first AFL match.#gatherroundpic.twitter.com/CD2Ph178Vc
— Matt Turner (@mattturner1986) April 14, 2023
All nine Gather Round matches are sold out.
It’s music to the ears of league representatives and the South Australian government, who are banking on the success of the inaugural event.
Part of the ticketing frenzy has been attributed to the affordability of the games, with tickets costing from $30 for adults, $20 for concession and free entry for children under 15. Families have been able to budget for a day at the footy.
AFL customer and commercial executive general manager Kylie Rogers said the league was endeavouring to make the sport much more accessible.
“It’s the first week of school holidays, so we are providing families the perfect opportunity to come together and enjoy a spectacular week of football in South Australia,” she said.
About Gather Round
Football fans’ long-anticipated wait for the nine-match, one-city footy showcase is almost over.
South Australia’s AFL Gather Round will see all 18 clubs descend on South Australia for an entire round of matches.
The round is scheduled from Thursday, April 13, to Sunday, April 16, and South Australia has gone all out. From pop-star entertainment to 150m tall zip-lines, hotel rooms are booking up and tickets are selling.
Matches will take place across the state including in the Adelaide Hills.
Match details
Adelaide Oval will host one match on Thursday night, one on Friday, and two Saturday and Sunday, while Norwood Oval will host two matches, a Friday twilight match and a Sunday afternoon match.
The Adelaide Hills will host a Saturday afternoon match at Summit Sports and Recreation Park at Mount Barker.
Thursday, April 13 at Adelaide Oval: Adelaide Crows v Carlton
First bounce: 7.10pm
Friday, April 14 at Norwood Oval: Fremantle v Gold Coast Suns
First bounce: 4.40pm
Friday, April 14 at Adelaide Oval: Richmond v Sydney Swans
First bounce: 7.40pm
Saturday April 15, at Summit Sport and Recreation Park, Mt Barker: Brisbane Lions v North Melbourne
First bounce: 12.40pm
Saturday, April 15 at Adelaide Oval: Essendon v Melbourne
First bounce: 3.40pm
Saturday, April 15 at Adelaide Oval: Port Adelaide v Western Bulldogs
First bounce: 7.20pm
Sunday, April 16 at Adelaide Oval: Geelong v West Coast Eagles
First bounce: 12.40pm
Sunday, April 16 at Norwood Oval: GWS Giants v Hawthorn
First bounce: 2.50pm
Sunday, April 16 at Adelaide Oval: Collingwood v St Kilda
First bounce: 4.40pm
Ticket prices
All competing club members will get free entry to their club’s match, while non-competing members and general public tickets are capped at a single price.
Adult tickets at $30, concession tickets for 15-18-year-olds are $20 and all kids under 15 can attend for free.
Transport
Footy fans can travel for free on all public transport with their game-day ticket including regular Adelaide Metro services and Footy Express bus, train and tram services.
There will be dedicated Norwood and Mount Barker bus shuttle services to and from the AFL Hub at Elder Park on King William Rd.
Weather
Adelaide is set to experience a high of 21C on Thursday, with mostly cloudy conditions before reaching a sunny 26C on Friday with a few showers in the evening, bringing up to 6mm of rain.
You’ll definitely need to pack an umbrella for the first day of the weekend, with the temperature dropping to 19C on Saturday, with a 90 per cent chance of rain and local heavy showers possible.
The Bureau of Meteorology says between 5 and 25mm of rain could fall. But it will dry out a bit on Sunday, with a shower or two and a high of 18C, and 2mm of rain forecast.
Entertainment
The Pepsi Max Footy Festival will take place over two host sites – Elder Park and Pinky Flat, on the banks of the River Torrens in Adelaide.
Footy fans will be able to race each other over the 150m flying fox running from the festival area to the other bank of the river by Adelaide Oval.
Entry to the festival areas are free and will feature live music, entertainment, food trucks, licensed bars and big screens showing the AFL games.
Australian electronic music group Peking Duk is set to perform at Thursday night’s opening game between Adelaide and Carlton while Australian twins The Veronicas will play on Saturday before the Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs match.
Six Australian DJs will also entertain fans throughout the Gather Round.
The Front Bar TV Show
Cult TV footy show The Front Bar is going on the road for the first time, broadcasting from SA to celebrate the AFL’s inaugural Gather Round.
Mick Molloy, Andy Maher and Sam Pang will head to Adelaide Oval for the live show on Wednesday, April 12, opening Seven’s coverage of round five.
But if you’re looking to secure a ticket to the show, you’re out of luck – it sold out almost as quickly as they were released.
Fans can watch the show on Channel 7 from 9pm Wednesday.
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