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Sport Nation
Warning for patrons ahead of stacked MCG schedule
Andrew Slevison • April 15th, 2025 12:43 pm
MCC CEO Stuart Fox says footy goers must be patient at the MCG in the wake of the recent guns saga.
Melbourne’s showpiece venue will host some massive AFL matches this weekend and next with security expected to be tight following the alarming incident at Collingwood v Carlton in Round 4.
The subsequent MCG fixture between Richmond and Brisbane on April 5 saw lengthy delays for those attending, and it looks as though things will be similar as the stadium tightens up the screening process.
After a weekend of Gather Round footy in South Australia, the MCG hosts Melbourne v Fremantle in Round 6 this Saturday afternoon before a massive crowd is expected for the Easter Monday clash between Geelong and Hawthorn.
Round 7 kicks off with the Anzac Day Eve feature between Melbourne and Richmond on Thursday, April 24 prior to the Collingwood v Essendon Anzac Day blockbuster on Friday, with Carlton v Geelong that Sunday also on the agenda.
“There’ll be a few crowds well over 80,000,” Fox said on SEN Mornings.
“It was extremely disappointing for us. We obviously let millions of people through the ‘G every year and I think we do that very well without incident, so to have one (incident) of this magnitude happen was very disappointing for us.
“That said it’s provided a great opportunity to review and try to improve because we’re committed to safety and security at the ‘G. We’ve got an incredible overlay and unfortunately it wasn’t the technology that let us down on the day, it was actually our secondary screening process where there was a gap.
“What we’ve done is worked really hard to improve those gaps so we’ll see some changes and patrons will need to be patient. We’re disappointed but let’s move forward and try to improve.
“The majority of our patrons go through with ease.
“When there’s a detection or you are flagged by technology you move into a secondary screening process. It’s that process that we’ve reviewed and tightened up.
“So that comes with a little delay. People can help us by getting to games early. While we don’t love people bringing bags to the ‘G - we understand some people have to - so minimise the contents in those bags and certainly don’t bring anything that’s prohibited to the stadium.”
Fox is suggesting that footy fans arrive nice and early at the MCG in the coming weeks.
Gate opening times had been set at 75 minutes before the first bounce but now it is two hours which gives patrons much more time to organise themselves.
“At least two hours now before every game coming up. It won’t solve the queuing problems, for all big games at the ‘G we do get congestion in the final 20 to 30 minutes and that’s the bit that causes the grief and slows us down,” he added.
“If people can think about getting here 45 minutes to an hour earlier, that will allow us to get through the thorough screening process and then get them in.
“We want everyone’s experience to be fun an enjoyable and safe at the same time.”
Has there ever been any consideration to prohibiting bags altogether?
“There certainly has been, but then you’ve got to cloak people’s bags so that becomes a challenge,” Fox replied.
“In the (United) States the NFL have a clear bag policy. We’ve looked at that and that may be a consideration for the future.
“But if people can check their bags before they take off, because sometimes bags sit in closets and they’ve been on trips. Check what you’ve got in them and minimise what you need to come to the footy.
“A couple of weeks ago we had someone go and do some shopping and bought a wrench on the way to the ‘G for some work they were going to do on their car at home. We don’t necessarily need a wrench inside the building.”
