Melbourne is emphatically refusing to entertain any prospect of moving its Round 1 game from the MCG to Marvel Stadium as Essendon’s bold relocation plan appears dead in the water.
The Bombers this week made a formal request with the AFL to shift its season-opener against Hawthorn from Docklands to the MCG to accommodate a bigger crowd given the two venues are restricted to 50 per cent capacity.
The Bomber bid has led to suggestions the Demons game against Fremantle earlier the same day – March 20 – could be relocated the other way, prompting concerned Dees supporters to contact their club.
But Melbourne chief executive Gary Pert told SEN.com.au that the Demons were going nowhere.
“The reality is the game will take place at the MCG,” Pert said.
“We’ve got contracts in place with the MCG, the fixture has been established by the AFL, we’ve sold memberships and corporate packages and signage. A lot goes into the organisation of a game.
“Unless we had like last year where we actually closed down the competition and started again, there’s a lot of supporter and membership and commercial obligations that are already in place.
“It’s certainly not a consideration for us to move the game in any way, shape or form.
“We’ll be playing our game as scheduled and our supporters, corporate clients and members will be watching us play at the MCG in Round 1.”
Asked if the AFL had approached Melbourne about moving the Fremantle game, Pert said: “I was talking to the AFL earlier today about a completely unrelated matter and proactively they just said it would not be happening.”
It’s understood a double-header is also extremely unlikely.
Pert is bullish the Demon army will show up in force at the MCG for the return of footy, despite facing the low-drawing Dockers in Melbourne.
“It’s the first game after a period where our supporters haven’t been able to come to the MCG and the MCG is so important to our supporters,” he said.
“Last year, while they could watch the team on TV, they wanted to be at the MCG and the response we’ve had, especially after – and I know it’s just a practice game – the game against Richmond last week, there’s a lot of positive expectations around the club.
“We’re expecting a really strong crowd and there’s certainly a high level of excitement about coming to the MCG for the first game and being part of it again.
“There’s a lot to consider before anyone just throws up hypotheticals about moving a game like that.”