Collingwood fans erupt over 'appalling' AFL grand final ticket farce
Magpies members have let rip after feeling let down ahead of their big day.
Collingwood fans may have been rejoicing at the change of watching the Magpies take on the Brisbane Lions at the MCG next week, but ticket drama has left some AFL diehards absolutely seething. Collingwood defeated Greater Western Sydney on Friday in a 58-57 thriller to advance to their first grand final since 2018.
And as expected Collingwood members jumped online in a bid to secure their tickets to the big day. The MCG reserves around 40,000 seats for the two membership bases of the competing clubs. This means many will miss out, which is why members pay more to gain priority tickets. Collingwood category one members are meant to be guaranteed a ticket in the grand final ballot, which comes at the cost of an expensive annual fee with the hope the team reaches the pinnacle day.
ANGER: Luke Darcy at centre of commentary drama in Brisbane win over Carlton
OH NO: Nick Daicos facing nervous grand final wait as GWS coach fumes
DRAMA: Toby Greene at centre of 'ridiculous' Collingwood incident amid loss
However, countless furious Collingwood fans took to social media to claim they hadn't been guaranteed a ticket. This was in stark contrast to other category two and three members securing tickets and better seats.
Journalist Jacqueline Felgate detailed an experience from a fan who shared a message having apparently missed out on a ticket as a priority one member. “There are major issues with Ticketek and the ballot system for GF seats,” the message read on Instagram.
“I am a Priority 1 Collingwood Member with a guaranteed seat at the GF (just not guaranteed where the seats are). The ballot was yesterday. I don’t have a seat, even after registering for the ballot and receiving both SMS notification and Ticketek account notification that my registration was successful.
“My brother is a priority 1 Collingwood member, also guaranteed a seat but is on level 4 at the very back. A friend is a Priority 3 member and has a seat on level 2.
“I buy a membership in good faith that I will be guaranteed a seat at the GF if Collingwood makes it, and now they have, a ticketing error on Ticketek’s side has seen many P1 members without a ticket they were guaranteed to receive.”
Felgate shared plenty of stories from fans who were frustrated. Angry fans detailed their frustration having paid the hefty fee for top membership, only to be apparently let down ahead of the grand final.
@AFL this needs to be fixed Priority 1 member should get the best tickets first NOT OK pic.twitter.com/qdFBaowJBO
— Sharron Nilsson (@sharron61) September 24, 2023
Hi @Ticketek_AU what's happened with allocation of AFL grand final tickets? I'm a priority 1 and you've randomly given me Category 5. This is so wrong . I should have been given cat 1 and so should all other pri 1 ticket holders.
— Adele (@sunandsurf70) September 24, 2023
All priority 1 legends members are guaranteed a gf ticket. Lots including myself have not been debited money from our accounts but other with priority 2 and 3 access have been.
— Melissa Edwards (@melly610) September 24, 2023
It is appalling that loyal supporters who year in, year out, pay premium $$$ for priority 1 access to a ticket to @Afl GF are then allocated standing room while Priority 2 & 3 get seats. How is that possible? Clubs and @AFL need to get that fixed!!!!
— Julie Tierney (@sk248) September 23, 2023
This is horrific, feel so sorry for those with guaranteed tickets who missed out. I pay a lot for a guaranteed ticket, 22 year investment that has only been used once - but cannot imagine missing out
— Mae Connelly 🌾 ❤️💙 (@GrainsMae) September 24, 2023
Absolutely mate. I’m happy for P2 & P3 members receiving tickets. Just feel awful for P1’s who have either been stuck in CAT 7 (myself) and or standing room.
— P. Kaleta #9 (@PFK1981) September 23, 2023
So many P1 members not getting tickets is such a kick in the teeth @CollingwoodFC something needs to be done these people must be going crazy.
— RCanna (@canna82) September 24, 2023
It is appalling that loyal supporters who year in, year out, pay premium $$$ for priority 1 access to a ticket to @Afl GF are then allocated standing room while Priority 2 & 3 get seats. How is that possible? Clubs and @AFL need to get that fixed!!!!
— Julie Tierney (@sk248) September 23, 2023
Ticketek said in a statement: “Ticketek wants to assure all Collingwood members that the Ballot process for the AFL Grand Final ran as planned, without any issues, and as per the instruction from the AFL, Collingwood Football Club and the MCG.
“The Ballot results will be published at 9am (AEST) Monday 25 September.”
Taylor Adams fighting for AFL grand final appearance
Collingwood await the Lions at the MCG next Saturday in a battle of the regular season's top two teams. It will be Brisbane's first grand final since 2004 as they aim to break a 20-year flag drought, their 2003 triumph the final chapter of a three-peat that included two wins against the Magpies.
Their Saturday evening triumph ended the Blues' brave run - from 15th in round 13 with just four wins - under coach Michael Voss, the captain of Brisbane's triple-premiership winners.
Meanwhile, Magpies captain Darcy Moore is hoping Taylor Adams is able to prove his fitness for the AFL grand final. Adams missed the thrilling one-point preliminary final win over GWS with a "very minor" hamstring injury and is a chance to recover in time to face Brisbane at the MCG on Saturday. But the 30-year-old vice-captain, who Moore describes as the "heart and soul" of the team, still has boxes to tick in the coming days before being given the green light to play.
with AAP
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.