Potentially thousands of Huon Valley football supporters have been denied the chance to see the first ever SFL Battle of the Huon grand final and the first Cygnet/Huonville grand final since 1979.
Tasmanian Labor is urging the Premier to reconsider attendance numbers at the upcoming SFL grand final.
Shadow Minister for Sport David O’Byrne said the huge discrepancy between crowd limits at the SFL and TSL grand finals make no sense.
“More than 3000 people are allowed to attend the North Launceston-Launceston TSL grand final in Launceston, yet only 1000 people can watch the SFL’s first all-Huon grand final,” said Mr O’Byrne.
“This discrepancy is hard to fathom, especially in light of Tasmania’s excellent public health position, with no community transmission in months and the state’s borders still closed.
“Many family and community members want to watch Saturday’s Cygnet/Huonville grand final, and allowing only 1000 people to attend, including players, coaches, umpires, volunteers, kiosk staff and security, means many will miss out.
“The Premier is using public health advice to justify this decision but there is no justification. It makes no sense and is bloody minded.
“For him to compare the country football ground at Deloraine to the historical home of southern football in North Hobart, and to compare the trial management of COVID restrictions at a TSL roster game run by a single club to an association grand final, is disingenuous at best.
“The SFL is simply looking to increase numbers to a fair yet safe capacity, and the government needs to find a way to work with them to make this happen.”
The Huonville Lions (Seniors/Reserves) has been allocated 350 tickets, Cygnet (Seniors) 300, Dodges Ferry (Reserves) 150, other clubs 10 each, stand-alone women’s clubs (University, South East Suns, North Hobart, Kingborough) five each, with the remainder going to SFL staff, volunteers and competition partners.