Syed Talib
Updated on: October 13, 2024 10:48 am GMT
As the Australian Football League (AFL) grand final approaches, fans of the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions scramble for a coveted ticket to the championship game. This year, the ticketing process has left many supporters feeling frustrated and excluded as general admission sales are completely absent. Instead, access to the grand final is highly restricted and tightly controlled.
Ticket Allocation Process
The AFL grand final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is set to host 100,024 fans, yet none of these tickets are available for public sale. Instead, tickets are distributed among various stakeholders, which complicates the process for fans wanting to secure a seat.
- Club Members: Each competing club receives 17,500 tickets for its members.
- AFL Gold Members: These members also have access to tickets, with priority given to those supporting the Swans or Lions.
- Corporate Allocations: Sponsors and broadcasters receive tickets as part of their agreements.
- Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC): MCC members have a separate allocation, but not all members are guaranteed tickets.
Fans like those of the Sydney Swans will find out if they won a place in the ticket lottery early in the week. For the Brisbane Lions, timeliness is equally crucial as they will learn their fate soon after.
Recent Membership Stats
This year’s competition among fans has intensified due to the rising number of club memberships:
- Brisbane Lions: 63,268 members
- Sydney Swans: 72,746 members
With only a fraction of these memberships offering guaranteed entry, many fans are already expressing disappointment at the ticketing situation.
Promises of Excitement Ahead
Despite the ticket woes, the upcoming grand final promises to be an exciting event filled with activities leading up to game day. The AFL’s Footy Festival will commence prior to the match, drawing fans into the festive spirit.
Scheduled Events
- Footy Festival Opening: Wednesday morning, open until 10 PM AEST on Saturday.
- Grand Final Parade: On Friday at 10:30 AM AEST, players from the competing teams will parade through Melbourne, culminating at the festival site.
Additionally, the Swans are organizing a live viewing site at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for fans who may miss out on attending the event in person.
An Impending Clash of History
As fans await the grand final showdown, history reminds us that both teams carry their own unique set of experiences. The Swans are bouncing back from a striking 81-point loss in last year’s grand final against Geelong, while the Lions narrowly lost to Collingwood by just four points last season.
What History Tells Us About Returns
Historically, teams that return to the grand final within two years of a heavy loss tend to have a strong track record of success. Of note:
- 13 teams have lost a grand final by more than 50 points and returned within two years.
- 9 of those teams went on to win their subsequent grand final.
However, recent trends have shown a reversal. The Swans notably lost in 2016 after a heavy defeat in 2014, while Geelong experienced similar letdowns in 1994 and 1995.
For fans of the Brisbane Lions, their journey back to the grand final following a narrow loss also holds a unique charm. The Lions are among the few teams in history to have achieved this feat.
Struggles and Triumphs
The path to the grand final for teams known for their resilience can be grueling:
- The Lions faced a remarkable comeback against the Greater Western Sydney Giants in their previous match, winning by a mere five points.
- Conversely, previous teams returning after narrow losses have had mixed results, going 3-3 overall in finals.
Fans are left wondering if history will favor their team or if the past will haunt them once more.
Conclusion: Watching from Afar
With tensions rising and emotions running high, fans of both the Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions continue to hope for a chance to witness their teams in action. While many will celebrate from afar, the anticipation for the grand final makes it a truly unforgettable moment in Australian sport.
As game day gets closer, everyone is excited about what will happen on the field. This is a chance to make history and add to the great stories of both teams. Even though some fans may feel let down by the ticket situation, the buzz for the match is growing. It looks like it will be an exciting day at the MCG!
