The AFL is poised to make a decision in the coming weeks whether to keep the Grand Final in Melbourne.
As Victoria comes out of its fifth lockdown, the league faces at least another two weeks of games without crowds in the state.
The latest outbreak centred on transmission at both the MCG and AAMI Park, with the prospect of a sizeable crowd in late September for the Grand Final diminishing by the day.
Asked on Sportsday what crowd capacity would be needed to keep the Grand Final in Melbournes, Richmond great Matthew Richardson said 40,000 would be the absolute minimum.
“I originally thought one in every two seats (being able to be filled at the MCG for the game to stay in Melbourne),” he said.
“But then I thought 40,000 would be the absolute minimum.
“I think if you can have a full Optus Stadium then you really have to have a look at it.
“How does the contract situation work? Will the MCG just give it up if they can only get 40,000?”
The AFL were forced to move the Grand Final to Brisbane last year as the result of Victoria’s COVID situation.