New dry zones to be introduced at MCG games ...... (Herald-Sun)

[one-eyed]

New dry zones to be introduced at MCG games

    Peter Rolfe
    Herald Sun
    March 20, 2013 11:00PM

FOOTY fans will be able to buy tickets to dedicated alcohol-free zones at all MCG matches for the first time this season.

In a crackdown on feral fans, the Melbourne Cricket Club will introduce dry seating in public areas for footy fans who pre-purchase AFL tickets.

The size and location of the new dry zones will vary for every match and are designed to promote a family-friendly atmosphere.

Dry areas have typically been restricted to sections of the exclusive MCC reserve and stands set aside as "family zones" by AFL clubs for their members.

The new MCC initiative will see further sections of the MCG reserved for dry seating, with anyone buying tickets in advance through Ticketek able to select a seat in the dedicated area.

Ticket inspectors and security guards will patrol the dry zones to ensure alcohol is not smuggled in.

MCC spokesman Shane Brown said the move was designed to enhance the spectator experience.

"We're just trying to give people more choice in relation to where they sit when they buy their ticket in advance," he said.

Collingwood is also ramping up its push for more family-friendly supporter areas by promoting a dry zone in bay M9 of the Great Southern Stand for Pies' members who pre-register to use the reserved zone this season.

The Collingwood dry zone will be used for the first time for the Pies Round 2 MCG blockbuster against Carlton on Sunday, April 7.

Hawthorn and Melbourne will also set aside dry members' sectors this season.

But Collingwood cheer squad identity Jeff "Joffa" Corfe said the push did not go far enough and called for a total AFL alcohol ban.

"The terraces are getting more and more out of control and sometimes you feel it wouldn't take much for something very big and bad to happen," he said.

"Even leaving the stadium, sometimes you can feel a bit vulnerable."

Mr Brown said the MCC would dedicate staff to any AFL club wanting booze-free areas. "We would support anything that promotes a family friendly environment at the MCG."

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/new-dry-zones-to-be-introduced-at-mcg-games/story-e6frfkp9-1226601926955#ixzz2O5GuPIPs

[WilliamPowell]

I've been saying for years ban booze altogether at the footy, no need for it

Aren't folks there to watch the footy not get tanked?

So the above means

 

I agree with Joffa 

[cub]

Beer is the one thing that has made watching Richmond bearable the last 30 years.
Dry areas  total ban  GAGF 

[Coach]

Should be illegal to be at the footy without a beer.

I've been saying for years ban booze altogether at the footy, no need for it

Aren't folks there to watch the footy not get tanked?

So the above means

 

I agree with Joffa 

You'd have to be female. Ban booze all together, perhaps the most outrageous thing I have ever read. I miss the old days because I hate what is happening to our game and the country in general

Beer is the one thing that has made watching Richmond bearable the last 30 years.
Dry areas  total ban  GAGF 

  Richo and huge saturday nights

[WilliamPowell]

Should be illegal to be at the footy without a beer.

I've been saying for years ban booze altogether at the footy, no need for it

Aren't folks there to watch the footy not get tanked?

So the above means

 

I agree with Joffa 

You'd have to be female. Ban booze all together, perhaps the most outrageous thing I have ever read. I miss the old days because I hate what is happening to our game and the country in general

Have had a beer thrown in my face by another Tiger supporter last season

When I was a kid sitting at Joliment station had a drunk Tiger supporter puke on a group of us

When I was about 18-19 had a Tiger supporter almost knock Ma Powell over because he was so drunk he couldn't walk in a straight line and then verbally abuse her because she was "old and slow" (would add the other thing she was called but I'd get myself banned)

Have seen too much boorish and obnoxious behaviour from drunks at the footy, that's why I reckon booze should be banned   

Beer is the one thing that has made watching Richmond bearable the last 30 years.
Dry areas  total ban  GAGF 

Are you there to watch the footy or drink booze?

If you are there for the footy then what does it matter if you can but a beer or not?

It shouldn't if you are there for the footy

[dwaino]

Fair arguments since they're from personal experience WP, but that could happen anywhere. It's against the law to serve booze to intoxicated people, and since those examples you gave sound like the morons were sloshed, it's more an indictment on the stadium. Personally I don't drink more than a couple lights at the footy since I prefer to drive there these days (after it I just want to get home rather than squash into public transport with idiots), and I can't stand pricks spilling their beer on me as they try to squeeze past getting to their seats, but it's a bit rich banning it for all the sensible people.

Dad's got a ripping story back when there was standing at the MCG and years ago. He was cheering after a Richmond goal, some Essendon supporter threw a near full can at him. Dad thought if would be a waste to throw it back so he drank it, peed in it and pegged it back at the bloke's head 

[Coach]

WP, didn't you ask the beer guy to tone his language down? I remember when you brought it up last season. The way you wrote it made me laugh. "Have some of this" and then throws the beer Classic.

Beer, bad language and quality banter is what I like to see at the footy. It's what I saw watching footy, it's what my dad saw and his dad etc etc. She's been like that since forever our game. As long as no one in the crowd is throwing 'em or threatening people then we're sweet, IMO. People there to cause trouble should be thrown out. Banning beer = disgrace.

[WilliamPowell]

WP, didn't you ask the beer guy to tone his language down? I remember when you brought it up last season. The way you wrote it made me laugh. "Have some of this" and then throws the beer Classic.

Languge what language Coach 

I was sitting watching the game this moron would go out and get more beer and every time he came back he would spill beer over those in the row in front of him including me. He never apologised

I asked the first time to be more careful and he said "No"

After having beer spilt over us yet again for what was probably the 6 or 7th time in the final qtr I turned and said to him "think you had enough and you owe these folks an apology. He then threw the beer in my face.

If you think that sort of behaviour is acceptable then that's your choice. 

[Hellenic Tiger]

Obviouslty the guy is a moron WP just like a hoon in a high powered car you don't ban the hight powered car for the rest of the community you punish the hoon.

Whilst I don't accept drunk behaviour and the treatment you and Ma Powell have received some of the early incidents were of a past era judging by a perception where possibly alcohol rules were more liberal and alcohol could be taken into the ground.

Thankfully we have progressed as a society since then and attitides have changed but banning it is not the answer. We may just have a pack of drunks instead rocking up to the footy getting sloshed at the pubs around the G and Etihad.

[Yeahright]

I've been saying for years ban booze altogether at the footy, no need for it

Aren't folks there to watch the footy not get tanked?

So the above means

 

I agree with Joffa 

So by your logic we should ban booze from weddings, birthdays, pretty much any social event except for clubs/partys where some people go to get tanked?
No need to punish the majority because of a minority

[Coach]

WP, didn't you ask the beer guy to tone his language down? I remember when you brought it up last season. The way you wrote it made me laugh. "Have some of this" and then throws the beer Classic.

Languge what language Coach 

I was sitting watching the game this moron would go out and get more beer and every time he came back he would spill beer over those in the row in front of him including me. He never apologised

I asked the first time to be more careful and he said "No"

After having beer spilt over us yet again for what was probably the 6 or 7th time in the final qtr I turned and said to him "think you had enough and you owe these folks an apology. He then threw the beer in my face.

If you think that sort of behaviour is acceptable then that's your choice. 

Can't really blame the guy if you let him get away with it. I find the story amusing.

[WilliamPowell]

So by your logic we should ban booze from weddings, birthdays, pretty much any social event except for clubs/partys where some people go to get tanked?
No need to punish the majority because of a minority

No by my logic booze should be banned at mjor sporting events. AFL, NRL, Cricket, Soccer because it is not needed. Will repeat what are people there to do drink or watch the sport? If you are there to solely to watch the sport and enjoy it why the need for booze?

Weddings, 21st, parties are private functions not public events so if people want to have booze and get tanked amongst family and friends i don't care

[WilliamPowell]

Can't really blame the guy if you let him get away with it. I find the story amusing.

I let him get away with? Really? What should i have done snotted him? Please!

He might have been a moron and a drunken yobo thug but i am not and i refuse to be one. The only person at fault was the moron

I actaully reported him to security and they did nothing

But i am glad you find it amusing

But if it ever happens to you or if you ever get puked on please let me know if you still find it amusing

 

[dwaino]

That's all purely subjective and not logic at all. This is why dry bays are a good idea. If you're dead set against drinking at the footy then you can go sit there, and the majority that do the right thing are still free to enjoy a beer while they enjoy the footy.

Should ban food then too. If you are hungry then you should go to a restaurant, not the footy.

[Coach]

Can't really blame the guy if you let him get away with it. I find the story amusing.

I let him get away with? Really? What should i have done snotted him? Please!

He might have been a moron and a drunken yobo thug but i am not and i refuse to be one. The only person at fault was the moron

I actaully reported him to security and they did nothing

But i am glad you find it amusing

But if it ever happens to you or if you ever get puked on please let me know if you still find it amusing

 

You're a bit of a wimp. The moron knows he can get away with it when wimps refuse to stand up for themselves/others. If it happened to me I would either return the favour or give him one to remember. But that's just me. I certainly wouldn't cop it and then whinge later

That's all purely subjective and not logic at all. This is why dry bays are a good idea. If you're dead set against drinking at the footy then you can go sit there, and the majority that do the right thing are still free to enjoy a beer while they enjoy the footy.

Should ban food then too. If you are hungry then you should go to a restaurant, not the footy.

If people want to watch football their way then they can. They can stay at home. Let the real men go to the footy We can take care of ourselves