What time are MCC members lining up?

[Evil M0nkey]

Gates open at 8am.

Just wondering what time other MCC members lining up for the walk up seats are planning on arriving??

I've only gone when to the GF when I've been successful in the ballot, so haven't needed to line up, and so dont really know.

I was advised by MCC that last year people who arrived just as the gates were opening were still able to get a seat. But I want a good seat! And with the pies having a lot of MCC members, that could affect things too...

 

[hilly]

Whilst not having as many as Collingwood, Geelong have a fair % of MCC members as well.

If you want a good seat, I'd recommend about 6am. Anything later than 9am for just any seat might be a bit risky this year.

 

[SydneyDon]

About 6ish.

 

[Evil M0nkey]

Thanks guys!

 

[chrismew]

In 2008, I lined up and I got there at 5.30am and the queue was over halfway up the hill to the Hilton.

Because it is Collingwood, I am thinking about getting there about 4.30 - 5am.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

4am if you want a good seat
6am if you want a seat
7am if you are just happy to get in and stand, 730 at the very latest.
10am if you dont mind the distinct possibility of missing out

This will be nothing like last year. It will be a lockout at some stage in the morning.

If you are on your own its a lot easier to get a decent seat than in a group of 3 or more.

 

[hilly]

This will be nothing like last year. It will be a lockout at some stage in the morning.

Was thinking I could rock up just as the gates were opening for a single L4 seat. Taking your point about it being easier on your own, do you think the proposed approach is viable?

 

[Grey Smith Bar]

I've got the ballot this year, which I'm thrilled about.

I've lined up early for lots of things, Anzac Day etc and came to the conclusion that the best time to arrive is at opening time, and just head in at the tail of the queue. The length of the line always looks daunting but the reserve can swallow a lot of people. That's unless you have your favourite spot that you absolutely have to sit at.

HOWEVER, this does not take into account the Collingwood factor, especially as they are deserved favourites for the match.

So it really depends if you want a good seat, or just a seat.

I turned up at about 1:30pm last year, could have got a seat as a single but there were three of us, so we stood in a good spot on L4.

 

[Giggidy Giggidy]

I've got the ballot this year, which I'm thrilled about.

I've lined up early for lots of things, Anzac Day etc and came to the conclusion that the best time to arrive is at opening time, and just head in at the tail of the queue. The length of the line always looks daunting but the reserve can swallow a lot of people. That's unless you have your favourite spot that you absolutely have to sit at.

HOWEVER, this does not take into account the Collingwood factor, especially as they are deserved favourites for the match.

So it really depends if you want a good seat, or just a seat.

I turned up at about 1:30pm last year, could have got a seat as a single but there were three of us, so we stood in a good spot on L4.

I'm thinking the 'just a seat' option would still require a 6-6:30 arrival this year. Wouldn't be confident of getting in arriving at 8am.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Was thinking I could rock up just as the gates were opening for a single L4 seat. Taking your point about it being easier on your own, do you think the proposed approach is viable?

We're all guessing mate but I'd suggest 7-7:30. All seats are ticketed so iirc so once you claim your seat and have a ticket handed to you for said seat, you are a lock and you are free to leave on a passout and return later.

The last lockout was in 2000 - Ess v Melbourne. The last two Collingwood GF's werent lockouts but by the same token they werent playing a major Victorian team either.

 

[The Big League]

I'll get there at about 4.30am.

 

[SJ]

We're all guessing mate but I'd suggest 7-7:30. All seats are ticketed so iirc so once you claim your seat and have a ticket handed to you for said seat, you are a lock and you are free to leave on a passout and return later.

The last lockout was in 2000 - Ess v Melbourne. The last two Collingwood GF's werent lockouts but by the same token they werent playing a major Victorian team either.

And of course there was a lockout at the 2007 Preliminary Final.

The 2008 Grand Final must have gone close, though?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

And of course there was a lockout at the 2007 Preliminary Final.

The 2008 Grand Final must have gone close, though?

Actually not sure - I didnt go to that one

 

[rdhopkins2]

Queues are expected to be large by 2am so if you want a seat, be there by 6am latest, for a good one be there 2am.

 

[sgbn77]

And of course there was a lockout at the 2007 Preliminary Final.

The 2008 Grand Final must have gone close, though?

That's a good point...the 2008 GF topped 100,000 for the first time in years...so maybe it did max out the MCC?

 

[The Big League]

Queues are expected to be large by 2am so if you want a seat, be there by 6am latest, for a good one be there 2am.

2am, really?

 

[SJ]

That's a good point...the 2008 GF topped 100,000 for the first time in years...so maybe it did max out the MCC?

Must have got very close, the crowd was 100,012 and the capacity of the ground is apparently 100,018.

 

[Brad Goodman]

Must have got very close, the crowd was 100,012 and the capacity of the ground is apparently 100,018.

Bloody MCC members, those six empty seats couldv'e gone to people who really wanted them.

 

[AG]

2am?? Holy shit. We were just going to rock up at 8am like we normally do. I haven't been for a few years, but before that I had no problems getting a seat. We got front row of the 4th level for the two Sydney GF's. Obviously with two Melbourne teams it's going to be a lot harder to get good seats but I can't imagine it's the difference between a front row seat and not even getting a seat.

 

[MadMaxx]

I got there at 4:20 in 2008. Id guesstimate that 1500-2000 were ahead of me in the line.

When the gates opened, there was a rush for the favored seats. We got front row of the Grey Smith area, left (closest to centre wing). Alot of people went for the seats in front of the Long room, and we looked down to see a bit of (non-violent) argy bargy down there.

From memory, the full sign went up at 9:20am, 50 mins after the gates opened.

 

[The Big League]

Which sections can the non reserved MCC members sit in?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Which sections can the non reserved MCC members sit in?

Parts of all sections I believe but the bulk of them are at the back of level 4. Dont bother with 2 or 3 - you have no hope.

The nearer the city end of the groud you sit, the better chance you will have. Dont even bother trying to get seats on centre wing unless you are prepared to kill.

 

[SJ]

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

As has been said, depends a lot on whether you're flying solo, or going in with a mate or two. 2008 I got to the queue at about 1am and was about six rows back on the wing on level 2, dream seats. Last year, due to the weather, I got there a bit later and went with the undercover option on level 3. I was probably about the same distance back in the queue both times.

No chance of getting in on Level 3 if you turn up as gates are opening, in my opinion. If Geelong were playing, I'd be going at a similar time (1am-ish for clear night, about 4am-ish if it's raining) and I would advise against getting there later than 6am. Really, what's a couple of hours to guarantee your spot (and probably a significantly better seat)?

BTW: You can park nearby and pack a swag/sleeping bag/roll-up mattress, plus anything else to keep you sane (ipod/laptop). You get about fifteen minutes to get the gear back to your car, about half an hour to an hour before the gates open. So it's not like you've just got to stand there twiddling your thumbs. You can make the time go pretty quick, if you're prepared.

 

[Cosmo Kramer]

Having been to the last few grand finals I will be getting there about 6-6:30. My advice is, if you want your dream seat get there anytime before 4-4:30am. If you want to get a front row or level 2 seat then 5-6am is fine. If you'd like a first level seat get there 6:30-7am. If you would like a seat get there 7:30. Personally I will be getting there at about 6-6:30.