Here’s cheers to a bumper AFL crowd

THE biggest footy crowd in four years is looming for Hawthorn’s AFL debut in Hobart on Saturday as it takes on North Melbourne in a game 21 years in the making.

The Hawks have not played for premiership points in the state’s capital since their Tasmanian adventure started in 2001, against Adelaide in Launceston.

Tickets are rushing out the door and although there is no ferry service on the day, fans can get to the game for free on Redline Coach services from Hobart’s northern suburbs, Kingston and the CBD.

Once at the ground, they will be greeted by music on the concourse along with an array of food like they have not seen before at a Blundstone Arena footy match.

Bellerive Yacht Club officials expects footy fans before and after the game at its picturesque bar and dining area overlooking the marina.

“We’ve got a Furphy beer promotion happening with promotional footys and socks as giveaways, and we’ll have meals available before and after the game,” BYC’s Vaughan Lynch said.

North Melbourne’s state manager Aaron Pidgeon said the Kangaroos had tried to make getting to the game as easy as possible.

“The buses are free to and from the game and there will be multiple services leaving from each location,” Mr Pidgeon said.

“People just need to go to our website or socials, or Redline’s site to be able to see what times buses are leaving.”

He said he hoped for the biggest turnout to an AFL game in Hobart since 2018.

“It would definitely be the biggest crowd of the year, and the biggest crowd for at least four years,” he said.

“Covid obviously affected the past two years, but I don’t think we had 10,000 in 2019 either.

“Sales are going really well but there is still seating available in the David Boon Stand and the Ricky Ponting Stand.

“And there is an allocation for free seating for general admission in a couple of bays in the Boon Stand and along the boundary in front of the hill.”

Mr Pidgeon said fans would be spoiled for choice once through the gates.

“Gates open at 12.15pm and there will be market stalls on the concourse, a distillery will be doing tastings, and in addition to the normal food at the ground there will be food trucks with hot food and doughnuts,” he said.

“There will be a DJ and a Kids Zone so kids will be able to handball and kick, and if they go to the Mazda Stall they will be able to spinand-win food and beverage vouchers.”

The Kangaroos have an open training session at Blundstone 1pm on Friday and the AFLW Kangas have training at 8am on Saturday.

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