Sportingbet.com.au – Telstra Dome Crowd Rush
Category: AFL Online
www.sportingbet.com.au – Bosses of Telstra dome have warned against a last minute crowd rush that amid concerns an early start time for the Richmond-Collingwood NAB Cup clash could cause a turnstile jam and hamper entry to the ground.
Stadium management is formulating a strategy to ensure an earlier than normal 7.10pm first bounce on Thursday night doesn’t cause fan frustration.
Ben Cousins’ hugely anticipated comeback and Richmond and Collingwood’s first match in Melbourne in 2009 are expected to transform a normally low-key pre-season quarter-final into a blockbuster.
A forecast top of 32C and balmy evening conditions are expected to add to the atmosphere.
Stadium officials will prepare staff for a late rush as fans pour in from work.
Telstra Dome chief executive Ian Collins predicted as many as 40,000 people would attend.
It has been several years since the Dome was plagued by ticketing issues and delays, but it will be tested by a big, mostly late-arriving, crowd.
The AFL said 5000 tickets had been sold for the game. Ticket sales four days out from a NAB Cup game are normally negligible.
Friday’s Carlton-North Melbourne game at the venue drew 24,711, while Geelong’s win against Adelaide on Saturday night was seen by just 10,320 fans.
Collins said the early signs were that a big crowd was headed for the Dome to watch two of the AFL’s powerhouse teams and Cousins’ first match in nearly 18 months. www.sportingbet.com.au