Fremantle jumped at the chance for a Saturday night ‘home’ game at the MCG against Carlton, according to CEO Simon Garlick.
Freo had initially hoped to settle in Launceston for a fortnight and play the game in Tasmania, where the Club is set to play it’s round 17 game against Hawthorn.
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When the Tasmanian Government made the call to not take the risk of allowing interstate clubs in, Garlick said the MCG was a great alternative option.
“Tassie looked likely to be the scenario based on some discussions that had been had. We’re supposed to be playing there next weekend so it made sense to base ourselves down there,” Garlick said.
“That was shaping up well, but the Chief Health Officer deemed that it wasn’t to go ahead.
“Then it was Geelong. Marvel Stadium was in the picture and then pleasingly, the MCG came into the picture late yesterday and that’s essentially going to be where it’s landed for us, which is really pleasing on a number of aspects and the guys are excited about it.”
While it was a blow to lose home ground advantage, Garlick said it was important to do what was best for the AFL, and praised all clubs for following the same example.
“For the last 14 months (there’s been) a whole approach around the greater good,” Garlick said.
“It’s something that we’ve been great at as an industry for the past 15 or 20 years. Whilst we fight on the weekend, there has been level of collegiality and cooperation and collaboration between the clubs and the league to make sure that the code itself comes first.
“That’s never been more pronounced than the last 14 months, when it’s really had to be.”
Bouncedown for the clash is at 7.40pm EST (5.40pm WST).
The crowd capacity will be limited to 25,000 under Victorian Government regulations and ticketing information will be announced in due course.
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