MCC CEO Stuart Fox isn’t phased by the AFL starting their 2024 season in the Northern States instead of with a traditional MCG opener.
In an attempt to draw eyeballs and attention in New South Wales and Queensland with the NRL starting their campaign in Las Vegas, the AFL created the ‘Opening Round’.
The round will take place from March 7 to 9 with Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast and GWS hosting Melbourne, Carlton, Richmond and Collingwood at their home venues respectively.
Round 1 will then see all 18 teams play, with Carlton and Richmond facing off on Thursday, March 14 for the MCG’s first clash of the season.
While the MCG won’t technically open up the season, Fox doesn’t expect the addition of Opening Round to dilute crowds at the venue and backed the AFL’s decision to support other markets around the nation.
“I would create a headline if I commented too much here I think,” Fox said on SEN Breakfast.
“But I think with that Opening Round, obviously supporting the other markets is really important for the AFL.
“I don't think it dilutes the MCGs Round (1 games) at all.
“I think they'll turn up, there'll be so much excitement and you look at the way the tail end of the AFL season this year was just incredible.
“We had an average crowd of 60,000 at the ‘G across the season and our five-year average is normally around 52,000.
“So there just seems to be this huge appetite.”
As well as the Blues v Tigers clash, the MCG will also play host to Round 1 fixtures of Collingwood and Sydney on Friday night, Essendon against Hawthorn on Saturday and Melbourne versus the Western Bulldogs on Sunday.
Overall, Fox is really happy with the games the MCG will host early in the campaign and across the season with plenty of traditional blockbusters set for the big stage.
“So I think they'll still come and our schedule looks really good,” Fox said.
“The AFL aren't silly enough to not schedule the big games at the biggest stadium.
“It's all about bums on seats and making sure we get all the big clubs playing at the ‘G for the big games.”
