There's a famous line in the movie Field of Dreams that says, "If you build it, he will come."
That sentiment also rings true for North Melbourne as it plays just the second ever Good Friday game. Managing Director and CEO, Carl Dilena, says the club wants the clash to become a tradition for its supporters and he knows with some more hard work and onfield success, the game will be a regular sell-out.
“If we can turn it into a traditional match, Good Friday can be like Anzac Day or Boxing Day where we have it in our calendar," he said.
“The challenge with anything like this is to get into people’s psyche early on.
“There is the double-whammy of a long weekend and the start of school holidays so most people are leaving Melbourne."
Donate to the Good Friday Appeal
Despite the timing of the game, last year’s first contest against the Bulldogs saw a remarkable crowd of 42,814 attend and the power of football helped raise a record $17,605,662 for the Good Friday Appeal (GFA).
This year crowd estimates are pleasingly hovering around the 40,000 mark.
“Overall the feedback we got from them [the GFA and Channel 7] was pleasing first time around," Dilena said.
Fielding one of the youngest teams in the league comes with its challenges according to Dilena, but North is confident of building the game over the course of the coming years.
“As we improve as a side crowds will naturally flow from that. I think it has a lot of great potential but it’s a process we are building,” he told News Limited.
Dilena said working closely with St Kilda has been encouraging.
“It will be interesting to see (the crowd). St Kilda has done a great job of promoting it to members and supporters.
“They have been really proactive and have put in a big effort not only with the fans but also with some joint initiatives around the Good Friday Appeal.
“It is very much a partnership approach to the game. All the key partners want it to work and we want a reasonable crowd but its all about eyeballs on the TV so people will watch and donate to the appeal.”
