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AFL Central Victoria will continue to throw its hand up to host pre-season AFL matches after the success of Sunday's JLT Community Series clash between Geelong and Essendon.
A sell-out crowd of 8399 people ventured to the Queen Elizabeth Oval to watch the Cats - led by former Bendigo Pioneer and Sandhurst midfielder Joel Selwood - stage a 10-goal turnaround to defeat the Brave bombers by 22 points.
It was the second AFL pre-season game played at the QEO in three years.
A similar packed house was on hand as Carlton defeated Collingwood by seven points in March 2015.
AFL Central Victoria region general manager Carol Cathcart said it was a fantastic day for Bendigo and visiting football fans.
"Essendon and Geelong turning up with the teams they have, it's great for our local football public to see such great football," she said.
The game was not declared a sell-out until Friday, with the last 3000 tickets being snapped up on that day.
With the first bounce not until 4.10pm, long queues started forming at the View Street and Barnard Street entrances from about 2pm.
Some latecomers did not make it inside the oval until late in the opening quarter.
Cathcart said those manning the entrances had done everything they could to get spectators into the ground as quickly and safely as possible.
"It's just the sheer number - everyone has turned up at once at the end. Just trying to get all those people through at once is a bit tricky," she said.
"The guys were scanning as fast their little scanners would scan.
"We probably need another entrance.”
While all gate-takings go the AFL, Bendigo Football Netball League clubs stood to make some money on the day, with South Bendigo and Sandhurst winning the respective tenders for the barbecue and alcohol sales.
Golden Square Football Netball Club was all involved in manning the gate.
South Bendigo Football Netball Club president Rick Townsend said with the game being a sellout, club helpers had expected to be run off their feet
"It's a great fundraiser for us - it's a lot of work, but at the end of the day it's well worthwhile financially," he said.
"But the footballers help out, the netballers help out, so it's a good day for the club and a bit of fun.
"We've run the finals the last few years, so we know the process and what to do."
Townsend said it was fantastic to see AFL football back on the QEO.
"It just showcases the QEO, which is looking magnificent, and our city," he said.
With AFL Central Victoria now affiliated with Richmond under FL’s new Next Generation Academy program, hopes are to have the Tigers involved if and when AFL action returns to Bendigo.
"We would love to have Richmond up here and in our territory, Cathcart said.
