Scalpers in crosshairs as frenzy heats up

TICKET scalpers have been targeted in 65 separate investagations since AFL finals began, with 20 rogue operators identified within 20 minutes of seats for Friday’s blockbuster being offered for sale.

The State Goverment yesterday vowed to round up and prosecute anybody found guilty of reselling tickets, as resale sites offered seats to desperate fans for more than twice their original cost.

Fans were also warned against buying bogus tickets.

“We’re putting fans first and working with eBay and Gumtree to take down any listings that breach our ticket scalping legislation,” Major events Minister John Eren said.

Scalpers face huge fines for the resale of finals tickets which now fall under declared event legislation.

It comes as devoted fans were either celebrating or left to lick their wounds in what proved to be the toughest fight for tickets in AFL history.

The MCC hasn’t ruled out cracking the 100,000 mark for the match, which is tipped to be a record breaker.

MCC boss Stuart Fox yesterday said with perfect weather forecast on Friday and tickets already sold out everything was shaping up for a monster crowd.

“We would expect 98,000 and love to get to the magical 100,000 mark. There is no reason why not,’’ he said.

Ticket allocations were exhausted by 11am with fans venting their frustration.

AFL Fans Association vice president Cheryl Critchley said many deserving members had missed out.

The association urged the AFL to consider grass root supporters with around 15,000 tickets unaccounted for.

“The MCG public reserve holds about 55,000, so we’d like to know what happened to the other 15,000 tickets?” Ms Critchley said.

Fans also have a chance to secure seats when unused club or AFL allocations are released via Ticketek at 2pm on Thursday.