CROWDS CONFLICT

SUNS PUSH FOR 1000 FANS GETS PUNTED

QUEENSLAND Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has poured cold water on the Suns’ bold plan to host fans at Metricon Stadium as early as this weekend despite reports she had approved stadiums to be at 25 per cent capacity.

Rival media commentators reported on Monday night that Palaszczuk had approved stadiums in the Sunshine State to operate at a limited capacity.

The Suns had tabled a proposal to welcome about 1000 fans for their Round 2 clash against the West Coast Eagles while the Brisbane Lions were hoping to host the same number for their game against the Fremantle Dockers.

“I can tell you all there will be crowds at the Gabba (Brisbane) and at Metricon Stadium (Gold Coast) this weekend,” Nine’s Caroline Wilson said. “The premier of

Queensland has announced that they will allow 25 per cent of every football stadium to be filled.”

Yesterday morning, the premier categorically denied reports a final decision had been reached but didn’t rule out crowds returning to stadiums in the near future.

“It won’t be this weekend but we have plans in currently with our chief health officer and we want to see some crowds supporting their local football matches,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“But also in the future netball matches, sporting matches right across the board – and we also want to see more families able to cheer on their children when they play community sport.

“But we have to be measured and responsible and that’s why the plans are currently with the chief health officer and once she ticks off on those plans she’ll get back to those organisations and we’ll be able to make some public announcements.”

Suns chairman Tony Cochrane said yesterday both he and the club had been left “confused” by the conflicting narratives.

“We submitted a very detailed document through Stadiums Queensland last week on how we thought we could handle a very minimal crowd as a test case,” Cochrane told Channel 9 yesterday morning.

“I know the Gabba did exactly the same. We are talking sub 1000 people. We are not talking anything near the capacity of those stadiums.

“We were told that would be looked favourably on; they would come back to us with a clear definition of how many we would experiment with.”

When crowds were eventually permitted to return, Cochrane said the Suns would run a ticket ballot for members, corporates and sponsors.