Crowd rush tipped for ben Cousins' comeback
Sam Edmund | February 24, 2009
TELSTRA Dome bosses are bracing for a last-minute crowd rush amid concerns an early start time for the Richmond-Collingwood NAB Cup clash could cause a turnstile jam.
Stadium management is formulating a strategy to ensure an earlier than normal 7.10pm first bounce on Thursday night doesn't cause fan frustration.
Ben Cousins' hugely anticipated comeback and Richmond and Collingwood's first match in Melbourne in 2009 are expected to transform a normally low-key pre-season quarter-final into a blockbuster.
A forecast top of 32C and balmy evening conditions are expected to add to the atmosphere.
Stadium officials will prepare staff for a late rush as fans pour in from work.
Telstra Dome chief executive Ian Collins yesterday predicted as many as 40,000 people would attend.
"We're just staffing up for more people so that we can handle ticketing for a 7.10pm start, which is a little bit earlier than the typical Friday night games (7.40pm)," Collins said.
"We're expecting people to turn up after work and a lot of kids from home. A 7.10pm start is always a challenge, but we'll be ready for it and we look forward to a big show."
It has been several years since the Dome was plagued by ticketing issues and delays, but it will be tested by a big, mostly late-arriving, crowd.
The AFL said last night 5000 tickets had been sold for the game. Ticket sales four days out from a NAB Cup game are normally negligible.
Friday's Carlton-North Melbourne game at the venue drew 24,711, while Geelong's win against Adelaide on Saturday night was seen by just 10,320 fans.
Collins said the early signs were that a big crowd was headed for the Dome to watch two of the AFL's powerhouse teams and Cousins' first match in nearly 18 months.
"Put it this way, we're expecting a large crowd. It's quite exciting," he said.
"We're working on the high side rather than the low side. One would think Thursday night should be pretty good.
"ollingwood didn't play here (in NAB Cup Round 1) and Richmond either ... and both have aspirations of making the eight.
"There is interest in it. The tickets haven't been on sale that long, but they're quite steady.
"At this point in time it's the best of the three games we've had at the stadium.
"I think those ticket sales could continue to grow if Richmond's family day is anything to go by.
"It will be interesting to see whether this game or the A-League grand final draws the bigger crowd."
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/afl/story/0,26576,25097322-19742,00.html
