Just days after drawing a record Geelong home crowd of 87,775 at the MCG, the Blues are gearing up to repeat the spectacle this Friday night. When Carlton faces archrivals Collingwood at the iconic venue, they will stand on the cusp of a 50-year milestone.
For the fifth consecutive MCG match, Carlton aims to attract over 80,000 attendees—a feat not seen since the early 1970s, as confirmed by resident Twitter statistician, SirSwampThing.
"I hope our supporters walk away knowing that we boxed on and we went toe-to-toe with a very good team, but also feel like we can do better and we can be better and expect better.”
The full transcript from Michael Voss' post-match press conference
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) April 28, 2024
This streak of capacity crowds at the MCG began during last year’s elimination final, where 92,026 fans witnessed Carlton’s return to finals football after a decade against Sydney.
The majority of the 96,412 attendees in the memorable semi-final against Melbourne were Carlton supporters, fueling anticipation for the following week.
This year started with impressive attendances of 83,881 (against Richmond) and 87,775 (against Geelong), with indications pointing towards another substantial turnout this Friday. Michael Voss, commenting on the advantage of playing in front of such crowds, emphasized the privilege it brings rather than the pressure.
With the club breaking the 100,000-member barrier for the first time in its history, CEO Brian Cook expressed hope for continued success.
He revealed plans to petition the AFL for an additional MCG match and fewer games at Marvel Stadium, aiming for six home games at the MCG and five at Marvel Stadium in the new five-year agreement.
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