BENDIGO'S love affair with Australian rules football was on show once again on Sunday.
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A sell-out crowd of 8399 people packed the Queen Elizabeth Oval as Geelong and Essendon went to battle in their final round JLT Community Series match.
It was the city's first taste of AFL action since old rivals Carlton and Collingwood played a pre-season game at the same venue in 2015.
Fans responded with their usual gusto, with queues stretching for up to 50 metres outside the QEO from about 2pm onwards.
Some fans did not make it inside the ground until quarter time, by which time Essendon had scooted to an 18-point lead.
The game did not become an official sell-out until late Friday.
Maryborough's Joan Hartley was quick to ensure she missed none of the action.
The Essendon fan was first in line at the View Street entrance, arriving at the QEO shortly after noon.
She would not have left disappointed, with the Bombers taking the fight to the more-fancied Cats in the first half and leading by 40 points at half time.
"I don't mind if they win or lose, I just hope they have a good game," she said.
"It's great to see all the players back together."
Hartley said he enthusiasm for the Bombers had not waned a single drop as the club's ill-fated supplements saga unfolded.
"I don't think any less of any of them as I did four years ago," she said.
For Rochester's Darcy Thompson, it was a chance for he and good friend Ryan Oogjes to see a rare AFL game.
Thompson, who plays in the Heathcote District league with Lockington-Bamawm United, said football duties prevented him from seeing anything but a handful of AFL games live each season.
"We try to get to the Western Bulldogs-Geelong game every year," he said.
"Saturday games are out of the question, and Friday nights. Sunday is an option if the Cats play."
Thompson was one of thousands of central Victorians at the game throwing their support behind Cats captain and former Bendigo Pioneers and Sandhurst midfielder.
The three-time premiership player did not disappoint his legion of fans, booting two goals and being among the Cats' top players on the day.
Ken Wildes made the hour-long trip to Bendigo from Echuca with his grandsons Jordan and Kyle Green.
While largely content to watch the football at home, Wildes has been a Bombers member for more than 15 years and could not bear to stay away from Sunday's game.
“It’s good entertainment for the boys – as long as there are no injuries before the first game,” he said.
