PLUS SCALPERS CRACKDOWN PLEA:
Sold-out Cats finals tickets selling for $500
SCALPERS have hijacked the pre-sale for Geelong’s highly anticipated finals clash against Richmond, reselling tickets for more than $500 and drawing the ire of devastated Cats fans.
Tickets to the showdown sold out completely yesterday, with more than 85,000 seats selling within an hour.
While Ticketek described it as a “record-breaking” event, Geelong supporters were quick to cry foul.
Websites such as Viagogo were flooded by fleecers, with some relisting seats for hundreds of dollars. Another site listed a ticket at a cruel price of more than $500.
Cats fan Mark Schufer said the entire AFL supporter base had been robbed by the State Government’s failure to eradicate scalping.
He pleaded for hardline anti-scalping measures to protect fans. “I’m going to miss my first final in seven years,” Mr Schufer said.
“The government has officially let these bottom-feeders win.
“I won’t be coughing up $300 for an $80 ticket.”
In one instance, a $90 ticket in the MCG’s third level was listed for $260 on ticket site Ticketmaster Resale.
AFL Fans Association chief Gerry Eeman accused websites such as Viagogo and Ticketmaster of facilitating “legal scalping”.
Mr Eeman also fired shots at both the league and Victorian Government.
“I don’t think anything is being done when something definitely needs to be done,” he said.
“The AFL is wiping its hands of it and waving a finger when they could approach the government for a legislative fix.
“They say they don’t like it, but they don’t do anything about it.”
Lara MP and Minister for Sport John Eren condemned scalpers, but would not say whether the State Government was working to combat the trend.
“No one should be trying to make a profit by exploiting passionate fans desperate to see their team play in September,” he said.
“We urge everyone to only buy tickets from authorised sellers — it’s the only way to ensure you’re not getting ripped off.”