The Western Bulldogs would like to acknowledge its members and fans, and the Ballarat community, for their continued support of the Club’s involvement in playing AFL games at Mars Stadium.
The Bulldogs and Port Adelaide played the third AFL game for premiership points at Mars Stadium on Sunday – the second match at the venue this season.
The Club is in the second year of a five-year commitment to play AFL games in Ballarat, and is in discussions with the State Government, the City of Ballarat and the AFL to extend and re-shape that commitment.
While Sunday’s official crowd was lower than forecast, the Club is encouraged that almost 8500 tickets were sold prior to the day of the game, and that poor weather conditions had an impact on match-day ticket sales and the overall attendance.
“On behalf of the Club, I would like to thank our members and fans and Ballarat supporters who turned up to the game and who continue to support our efforts in the region,” said Bulldogs’ CEO Ameet Bains.
“We are wholeheartedly committed to embracing our presence in Ballarat and continuing to build an enduring relationship with the region by growing our western region fan base, playing AFL games at Mars Stadium and having an impact on the community with our schools, youth leadership and men’s and women’s health programs.
“The many benefits to the Club as a result of the Ballarat deal include a significant uplift in our annual revenues and the strength of our balance sheet rising by millions of dollars as a result of an overall strategy in which Ballarat played a key role.
The Bulldogs will continue to engage with the City of Ballarat and the AFL to ensure games played at Mars Stadium provide broadcasters and fans with an optimal viewing experience.
Despite extensive preparation leading into Sunday’s game, the quality of the lighting and timing of the game have since been raised as issues.
“We want the best possible spectacle at Mars Stadium for our members and fans, and the Ballarat community,” Bains said.
“Unfortunately, despite the AFL significantly investing in extra lighting in anticipation of the game’s finishing time, the particularly inclement weather made for difficult viewing for the players and spectators late in the match.
“We welcome the AFL’s view that it will review the fixturing at Mars Stadium based on these issues and we are in discussions with the AFL about fixturing, the City of Ballarat about the match-day experience and the State Government about the best possible deal for Bulldog fans and the people of Ballarat.”
