If you happen to had been watching Hawthorn tackle Brisbane on Sunday from the consolation of residence, Marvel Stadium regarded prefer it had an honest crowd in attendance.
However as one livid Lions fan revealed, the truth was nothing like what the viewers had been seeing on their TV screens.
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A crowd of 29,664 filed by the Marvel Stadium gates, only a tick over half the official capability of 54,000.
So how did the stadium seem like it was jam-packed with footy followers on the printed? A number of sections across the floor had been closed off to these in attendance.
Whereas it’s not an unusual observe to be achieved, particularly when ticket gross sales are on the decrease finish of the dimensions, it didn’t sit nicely with one Lions fan.
Nicole Chapman took to social media with a video from the higher part on one wing which confirmed the highest part from behind one objective all the way in which round to the opposite on the far facet of the bottom behind fully empty.
“Genius concept, AFL — let’s shut half the final admission seating so it seems to be full for the printed. I like unnecessarily being within the nostril bleeds,” Nicole Chapman wrote on X.
Whereas followers had been fast to level out the reasoning behind the transfer, Chapman wasn’t joyful together with her recreation day expertise.
“I get commercially why they do it however as a fan expertise it’s horrible,” she hearth again.
“Strains for every thing and sitting second row from the highest for a recreation that’s not bought out.”
Chapman had much more motive to be indignant because the Hawks took management of the competition and continued their current dominance over the Lions.
The Hawks added much more ache for the faltering Lions as they secured the 15.10 (100) to 10.15 (75) victory.
Brisbane would have moved to inside 4 or six factors of the highest eight had they gained the match many anticipated them to win.
As a substitute, nearing the midway mark of the season, final 12 months’s Grand Last runners-up have slipped to two-and-a-half video games exterior the eight and can in all probability have to win at the least eight of their final 13 video games to make the finals.
The Hawks have continued their spectacular run of kind since they began the 12 months 0-5, and so they’ve now gained 4 of their final six matches.
Will Day was excellent for the Hawks with 26 disposals (11 contested), 5 clearances and a objective, James Worpel had a giant say on proceedings with 28 touches (13) and 9 clearances, whereas Jack Gunston (seven marks) saved his finest efficiency of the 12 months for his previous membership with a season-high 4 objectives.
“They had been correct at this time, we’re seeing them develop,” Hawthorn legend Dermott Brereton stated post-game on Fox Footy.
“One factor I’d say as a Hawks supporter, for this present period of gamers and the way in which Sam coaches, as soon as once more at this time, they kick 100 factors.
“They’re a bottom-four workforce and they’re exceptionally watchable.”
The Hawks will tackle Adelaide subsequent weekend from the MCG whereas Brisbane will get pleasure from a bye.
