Bendigo footy fans not left out in cold with final tickets

THREE freezing nights queued in Hargreaves Mall did little to dampen the spirits of Bendigo’s football fanatics, who were among the first to purchase AFL grand final tickets yesterday.The Saints will face off with the Magpies for the sold-out grand final, following their 24-point win over the Western Bulldogs at the weekend. St Kilda supporters Carol Magee, Eric Kelly and Trish Buckley had waited in the queue since 5pm on Friday.The trio were the first to purchase tickets from Powney’s Newsagency at 9am yesterday.A pleased Mr Kelly said the group was lucky to have been allocated seats together in the front row of the stadium’s second tier.Mr Kelly said his “football family” were united by their desire to see St Kilda beat Collingwood. Mrs Magee said the long, cold wait had been worth it to watch St Kilda try to win its first premiership since 1966, and the club’s second in 114 years.“I’ve been supporting St Kilda since I moved to Australia from the UK about 10 years ago,” Mrs Magee said.“I only hope they can play their best match against the Maggies,” she said.Bendigo resident Dermott Power had been waiting since Saturday morning to buy 13 tickets for his family of membership holders.Mr Power said although he supported Hawthorn he would barrack for St Kilda in the final.“I’m hoping for a close match, but going for the underdog to beat Collingwood,” he said.More than 85,000 fans are expected to pack the MCG on Saturday.