1988 Brownlow Medallist Gerard Healy says a full house Marvel Stadium is a better place to watch footy than the MCG.
Marvel Stadium has a capacity of just under 54,000 patrons, while the MCG can cater to over 100,000 fans.
Speaking before St Kilda hosted Essendon at the Docklands venue on Friday night, Healy suggested Marvel Stadium is underrated when compared to its cross-town venue.
“I love Marvel Stadium. I know it’s probably not a popular opinion, but Marvel Stadium with a full house is a better place to watch the game – in my view – than the MCG,” he told AFL Nation.
“You are closer to it (the action), the roar from 40,000 people is awesome, you only have to be here to watch the Swans and Carlton game a few weeks ago (in Round 10) to realise we have got a magnificent asset here.
“Someone needs to sort out the PR (public relations) of this joint because we should have a full house tonight, everyone should be looking forward to coming here and seeing and watching this place vibrate.
“St Kilda versus Essendon, what a big game.”
Carlton’s narrow 15-point win over Sydney at the venue in Round 10 attracted 44,769 fans.
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Marvel’s roof is also a drawcard in the colder months at night, with the AFL-owned stadium able to provide a more fan-friendly environment throughout winter.
The MCC and Victorian government are this year completing a feasibility study on whether to renovate the MCG’s Great Southern Stand. The Stand was built in 1992 with an anticipated lifespan of about 40 years, and Healy said if it was to be rebuilt, lessons could be learnt from the setup of Marvel Stadium.
“I just think we’ve got this unbelievable asset (in Marvel Stadium). Last night (Thursday) was a great game at the MCG but it’s a bit, big, big ground… it needs 60,000 or 70,000 people there and you are a long way away,” he added.
“I’m not a big fan of chopping down the Great Southern Stand, I think it’s a ridiculous waste of money, but if we are going to do it, let's learn from the other stadia around the ground.
“We’ve got to sit more on top of the ground rather than be so far back at the backend of the third and fourth-tiers (of the MCG).”