Hopes lift on Round 1 crowds

A POTENTIAL lift in the crowd cap for local footy has clubs optimistic about how fans will adapt to AFL Victoria rules in the opening rounds.

Protocols limit fans to 1000 at local matches, ban crowds entering the field of play at breaks and players are urged to shower at home rather than in the changerooms.

But there was optimism on Friday that the spectator limit would be raised in time for the first round of local football, which kicks off with the BFL on Easter weekend, starting April 2.

Holiday destinations such as Portarlington, Torquay, Barwon Heads and Queenscliff all host games on that weekend that could potentially draw more than 1000 fans.

If clubs expect a crowd above the cap, such as when Barwon Heads hosts Ocean Grove in Round 5, they are expected to apply to the state government for permission to let more fans in.

Seagulls president Tim Goddard said he was hoping for a rise before then and said his club had put in place a plan to deal with the restrictions.

“We have a couple of practice games coming up so we will work out what needs to change and refine it from there,” Goddard said.

“I think we are going to have a bit of a lifting on the 1000 (cap). Most games don’t get 1000 (but) we are in a caravan park so we have campers on Easter Saturday and supporters and players and all of that, so it’s going to be pretty hard to count them.”

He said it would be hard to police fans going on the oval at breaks but fans would know to stay away from huddles where social distancing is difficult.

“I think it’s going to be hard to stop kids from going out at quarter-time and having a kick but I think around the huddle will be fine,” Goddard said.

“Kids having an innocent kick, that’s not really a need area to quell.”

AFL Barwon remains in close contact daily with clubs as it helps with plans to deal with restrictions.

Posters and other signage will soon be sent out to help with messaging at local grounds.

All regions are involved in weekly meetings with AFL Victoria to put their case forward to tweak the rules.

While Geelong Amateur’s Queens Park may seem an ideal location to limit fans given its single access drive, Ammos president Simon Farrell said his club would not be limiting people attending.

The surrounds in the park are used by golfers and families celebrating birthdays, so Farrell said he would not post a volunteer on the gate to count numbers.

The oval does not boast a complete fence so limiting fans on the field may be tough but he said his club would deal with the challenges.

I THINK IT’S GOING TO BE HARD TO STOP KIDS FROM GOING OUT AT QUARTER-TIME AND HAVING A KICK BUT I THINK AROUND THE HUDDLE WILL BE FINE.”

SEAGULLS PRESIDENT TIM GODDARD