The AFL has decided to keep Friday night's blockbuster NAB Cup Grand Final at Etihad Stadium after investigating a possible shift to the MCG.
With powerhouse Victorian teams Essendon and Collingwood winning through to the pre-season decider, calls have been made to play the match at the bigger venue so more fans can attend.
But AFL chief Andrew Demetriou told Triple M it was problematic to shift the game.
""There's a couple of issues logistically. One, we've booked Etihad. Secondly, our ticket sales are supposed to go on sale at 9 o'clock this morning.
""We've pushed that back to 10.30 to have a look at it, but if we do move the game there are some things to be worked out with the ticket agents, so we probably couldn't get tickets on sale for a day or a day and a half.""
With powerhouse Victorian teams Essendon and Collingwood winning through to the pre-season decider, calls have been made to play the match at the bigger venue so more fans can attend.
But AFL chief Andrew Demetriou told Triple M it was problematic to shift the game.
""There's a couple of issues logistically. One, we've booked Etihad. Secondly, our ticket sales are supposed to go on sale at 9 o'clock this morning.
""We've pushed that back to 10.30 to have a look at it, but if we do move the game there are some things to be worked out with the ticket agents, so we probably couldn't get tickets on sale for a day or a day and a half.""
Presuming the game is played at Etihad Stadium, Demetriou predicted a sell out crowd.
He also defended the NAB Cup in the wake of criticism of the round one round-robin format and questions over the competition's future.
""I'm not quite sure why people keep saying the NAB Cup hasn't been that good this year,"" he said.
""It's one of the best rated and best attended NAB Cups we've ever had.""
To ensure all patrons have access to seating on the night, the game has been upgraded to a 'designated seat match'.
Patrons are encouraged to reserve a seat via Ticketmaster prior to attending the match. Tickets went on sale via Ticketmaster at 10.30am this morning, through Ticketmaster on 1300 136 122, online at ticketmaster.com.au or via any Ticketmaster outlet.
