New COVID-safe rules will be introduced at the AFL-owned venue as spectators make their long-awaited return to the footy for the first time since 2019.The restrictions include an order fans remain seated while cheering their team.“No standing at or on your seat, patrons must be seated at all times when at their designated seat,’’ fans have been told. Among other changes, no bags bigger than A4 size will be allowed into the ground, free water fountains have been switched off and all food and drink must be consumed at your seat.The stadium will also be split into four strict zones — similar to the designated areas set up at the MCG to help improve contact tracing — with fans restricted to the space specified on their ticket. Popular post-match kick-to kick sessions on the ground have also been “paused”. Footy fans will only be allowed to leave their seats to buy food, drinks or merchandise, go to the toilet, prayer, sensory or parents’ rooms and to exit the stadium. With the venue hosting Essendon and Hawthorn on Saturday night, Hawks president Jeff Kennett said stopping fans standing at their seat was “sheer madness’’.“I have no idea who dreams up these ideas and I have no idea how they are going to police it,’’ he said. “They will need more police there than they have fans.’’There is no such edict in place at the MCG.AFL spokesman Jay Allen claimed the Marvel Stadium rules were based around safety. “Everyone has a specified seat and we are directing fans to only leave their seats to use the bathroom and/or purchase any food and drink,” he said.“This is to minimise congestion in the venue and ensure we are all appropriately distanced throughout.”AFL Fans’ Association president Cheryl Critchley questioned the need to stop spectators rising to their feet when their team kicked a goal or took a screamer.“It is going to be hard for fans to stay seated at all times,’’ she said. “Many instinctively stand up after a goal, or during quarter and half time breaks to stretch their legs. “Hopefully officials will use common sense, especially if someone sits down quickly.”Face masks will not be compulsory but fans have been encouraged to wear them when moving around the stadium.Fans will need to enter through specific gates, no cloaking services will be offered, the venue will be cashless and fans need to pre-purchase tickets with no sales booths to operate. Marvel Stadium crowds will be capped at 28,961 — 50 per cent capacity, in line with health advice, for Round 1 — but there are hopes attendance numbers may be increased in coming weeks.The AFL is expected to meet the state government on Monday to discuss lifting crowd capacities in Victoria.The league had originally hoped for crowds of 75 per cent for the start of the season.With almost 75,000 fans attending Big Bash, A-League, AFLW and pre-season matches in the past two months, Mr Allen said the stadium was “ready to once again host AFL footy fans.”“To minimise any congestion when entering the stadium and around any of the concourse area’s we are advising fans to only enter at their ticketed gate,’’ he said. CROWDS ALLOWED



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