If you don’t like big crowds, stay away from the MCG for the next few Saturday afternoons. That’s right. It still exists. With the big television rights push and more time slots to choose from, the Saturday afternoon time-slot is alive and well (for at least four weeks, anyway).
Almost 70,000 supporters turned up for week one of a four week series of great games, and potential massive crowds for the most traditional of times.
Looks like the fixture for the month of July was done by a few 60 year old men down the pub over a few pots because Saturday afternoon footy is alive and well.
On Saturday, we witnessed big names players display their wares – Franklin, Ablett, Chapman, Hodge, Scarlett and Rioli ran around on the hallowed turf at 2:10pm on a Saturday, as supporters watched on a cold July day thermos and pie at the ready.
With split rounds and weeknight fixtures and public holiday matches, the Saturday has taken a back seat, but I would urge everyone who loves footy and tradition to get to the G over the next three Saturdays.
Next week we have second versus third.
Collingwood are flying at the moment and St Kilda is slowly going about their ‘Saints footy’ winning their last seven matches. Saint Nick is back after his long lay-off and the Pies are playing exciting footy.
If Ross Lyon and his coaching staff don’t try and strangle the life out of the game, the strong Collingwood army will pack the G and an exciting game should give all supporters an entree to September.
If that’s not enough, the red hot Tigers are paying Collingwood a visit. The Tigers are having a purple patch of form. And don’t their supporters deserve it.
You would think a lean period in their proud history would keep supporters away, but it is the opposite of this. Richmond love the MCG, and Collingwood Vs Richmond would produce a crowd of around 85,000.
Week four of July is one of the biggest games on the football calendar. Collingwood Vs Carlton … If you follow either club, you are taught to hate the other. It’s not a player, coach or era based scenario, it’s encrypted into your football DNA.
Both teams are in the top half on the ladder and both will feature in the 2010 finals series. This will be close to a sell out, and deserving of the best time slot the game has to give.
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