Could Carlton make history at the MCG this Friday night?
The enthusiasm of Carlton supporters knows no bounds.
Just days after playing in front of a record-breaking crowd of 87,775 at the MCG for Geelong’s biggest home game ever, the Blues are gearing up to repeat the experience this Friday night.
When Carlton faces arch-rival Collingwood at the iconic venue, they will be on the verge of achieving a significant milestone not seen in 50 years.
For the fifth consecutive game at the MCG, the Blues are aiming for their fifth consecutive crowd of over 80,000 people, as confirmed by the esteemed Twitter statistician, SirSwampThing.
This accomplishment hasn’t been seen since the early 1970s when Collingwood achieved similar attendance figures.
Carlton’s streak of capacity crowds at the MCG began in last year’s elimination final, where a massive crowd of 92,026 witnessed the Blues’ return to finals football after a decade against Sydney.
The majority of the 96,412 spectators at the subsequent famous semi-final against Melbourne were Carlton supporters.
In the current year, Carlton has already played in front of crowds of 83,881 (against Richmond) and 87,775 (against Geelong), indicating another sizable turnout is expected this Friday night.
As Michael Voss noted after last week’s clash with the Cats, “that’s a real advantage to us.”
“We find it’s a unique strength of ours, that we can come to the MCG and play in front of these big crowds against these great teams and somehow normalize it,” Voss said.
“It becomes more of a privilege for us, not so much the pressure that comes with it — it comes as a privilege that we get to do that.
“Our people just keep coming. We’re feeling that wave of support and that noise we’re getting.”
Looking ahead, with the Club breaking the 100,000 member barrier for the first time in its history, CEO Brian Cook expressed hope that the positive momentum can continue.
“We’ve actually approached the AFL to play an extra game at the MCG and one less at Marvel, so six at the ‘G and five at Marvel rather than the other way around,” Cook told Channel 7.
“In our new MCG agreement, which is five years, we’re committed to a minimum of five home games there. It’s the right time.
“It’s up to the AFL . . . we’re hoping that they see us as being ready for that now.”
CARLTON’S RECENT MCG GAMES
– 2023 elimination final: 92,026
– 2023 semi-final: 96,412
– Round 1, 2024: 83,881
– Round 7, 2024: 87,775
FIVE CONSECUTIVE MCG GAMES IN FRONT OF 80,000+
– Collingwood: 1970 semi-final, 1970 Grand Final, Round 2 1971, Round 6 1971, 1971 semi-final
– Geelong: 1962 semi-final, 1962 preliminary final, 1962 preliminary final replay, Round 8 1963, 1963 semi-final, 1963 Grand Final
