Empty-handed Magpies fans get live site
Empty-handed Collingwood fans who missed tickets to their team’s blockbuster preliminary final against Richmond at the MCG will have to again turn to Ticketek for the next best thing.
The Magpies are putting on a live site at Margaret Court Arena on Friday night where 5000 lucky fans who missed out on attending the grand final qualifier will be able to watch the game on the big screen and create their own match-like atmosphere.
Past players will be talking at the event and merchandise, food and drinks will be available along with door prizes.
However, Collingwood fans will have to once again go through Ticketek later in the week to purchase $10 tickets to gain access to the live site.
There was outcry on Tuesday morning as AFL gold members with Collingwood or Richmond club support missed out on securing tickets to Friday’s mammoth clash because tickets went on sale to both gold members and silver members at the same time, meaning silver members would have secured tickets ahead of gold members despite being lower on the pecking order.
That is in contrast to the situation for the grand final where AFL gold members with club support for either participating team get priority ahead of other AFL members.
The differing policies are a result of AFL policy to balance the benefits of their various membership packages, realising that ultimately some fans will be disappointed given the MCG's capacity of 100,000 is not enough to satisfy demand for grand final and other finals tickets.
Collingwood supporter Michael Furey, one AFL gold member who missed out on tickets, and expressed his dismay to The Age.
“The AFL has said that I missed out on tickets to the preliminary final between Richmond and Collingwood due to unprecedented demand. I am a gold AFL member with Collingwood club support,” he said.
“If Collingwood makes the grand final I will be able to get online for tickets with other gold members with a competing club support membership three hours before other AFL gold members aligned to non-competing clubs can order tickets. This is not the case for the preliminary final.
“While this may be unprecedented it was not unpredictable - what sort of Mickey Mouse organisation is the AFL?”
Collingwood CEO Mark Anderson said the live site was organised because the club wanted as many Magpie fans to share in Friday night’s highly-anticipated spectacle as possible.
“Unfortunately, not everyone can get a ticket to the match but the experience of being with our own and living out every second of it can extend beyond the stadium,” Anderson said.
“It was the least we could do. Our fans understand the power of coming together and sharing their passion. Collingwood fans are renowned for their rabid support of their teams. Creating a live site is a way of allowing as many of them as possible to connect and enjoy a great occasion.”
Richmond also considered a live site but opted against it.
Ronny Lerner is a Sports reporter for The Age.
Daniel is an Age sports reporter.