SCG hit with ticket, Welcome to Country fails before Swans clash with Carlton

News.com.au

16-05-2025

Fans at the SCG were subjected to two hiccups before the clash between the Swans and Blues got underway on Friday night.
The AFL's Sir Doug Nicholls Round continued in Sydney, with pre-match ceremonies and a poignant tribute to Carlton great Robert Walls, who died this week.
Before the match got underway, however, fans were quick to point out the unusually small crowd that had filtered into the SCG.
That was due to the ground's ticketing system failing around half an hour before the opening bounce, leaving thousands of fans stranded outside.
'The SCG feels like it's only about half full right now and that's because everyone that's (outside) actually can't get in,' Xander McGuire said on Channel 7.
'From about 7.10pm tonight onwards, the turnstiles outside the ground actually froze up and completely broke.
'So for about 20 minutes, people trying to scan their tickets couldn't get in.
'I've spoken to security, they think the lines got to about 200 metres long at every single gate outside.
'So they reverted back to the old days, doing manual ticket checks now.
'People are literally streaming in and security are only looking at the tickets with a passing glance, hoping the tickets are completely legitimate.
'An incredible situation unfolding here at the SCG.'
It was all noted by footy fans on social media.
X user Matthew Carlson tweeted: 'Oh that's why the crowd's so low. Everyone stuck outside.'
Michael Green tweeted: 'They've just let everyone in. An official attendance will just be a guess.'
Another fan suggested: 'Surely you delay the game for 15 mins to let the crowd in?'
William Polak added: 'What a shambles at the SCG tonight.'
With fans still trying to get into the ground, the pre-match ceremony commenced with an impeccable moment of silence for Walls, who chose a voluntary assisted death on Thursday following a battle with a rare and aggressive blood cancer.
A triple premiership winner on the field with the Blues, Walls also coached the club to the 1987 flag.
After the tribute to Walls, the Indigenous Round celebration began, including a cultural performance, an exchange of gifts between the two captains and a warmly received Welcome to Country from local Elder Uncle Lloyd Walker.
Unfortunately, Walker mentioned the wrong sport towards the end of his speech.
'On behalf of the traditional owners of Sydney, I welcome you all today,' Walker said in part.
'I'd like to acknowledge one of our community members, Jordan Ardler, who designed the Swans jerseys tonight.
'On this special night, I'd also like pay tribute to our Indigenous NFL stars that are positive role models to our people.'
Fans were quick to jump on the error when they also took to social media to comment.
Charles Haig asked: 'Wait, did he just say 'NFL stars'?'
Charlie Cosgrove quipped: 'Love our Indigenous NFL stars.'
An account called Political Correctness is Overrated said: 'NFL gets a shout out.
Awesome promotion AFL!'
Another X account Nessing Around joked: 'Nearly Footy League NFL letssss gooooo.'
Once the game did get underway, fans had begun to fill the stands on a damp night in Sydney.
The Blues took a one-goal lead into quarter-time in an even contest, which they narrowly increased to seven points at the long break.