Following Tuesday's announcement from acting Premier James Merlino, Western Bulldogs fans will be able to enjoy 75 per cent capacity at Mars Stadium in round four of the AFL.
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If no further outbreaks of the virus occur between now and round four, the Bulldogs will be able to host the Brisbane Lions in front of 8,250 fans, 75 per cent of the 11,000 capacity at Mars Stadium.
A host of restrictions will be eased by 6pm Friday following Victoria's first official day COVID-19 free this year.
There is hope that by the time round four rolls around on Saturday April 10, crowd restrictions will be eased again and 100 per cent of Mars Stadium can be filled.
Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains said it the easing of restrictions was great news ahead of the clubs games in Ballarat in a couple of weeks time.
"We're pleased with the State Government's decision today to allow crowd limits to be lifted to 75 per cent of stadium capacity," he said.
"With just over two weeks until our round four game at Mars Stadium, this has come at a great time for the Club and our fans in the Ballarat region."
After the disappointment for Victorian football fans in 2020 being unable to attend games, Bains added it was great to return to normality and play in front of the Ballarat fans.
"We're excited to be back playing games in Ballarat, after the disappointment of not being unable to do so during 2020, due to the covid-19 pandemic," he said.
"We plan to deliver two more high-quality match-days throughout the year for the people of Ballarat and the western region, and our fans who will have the opportunity to travel to Mars Stadium."
Head of the Western Bulldogs Ballarat supporter group Ray Neville added that it was great news for the fans who were unable to attend games in 2020.
"We were looking at really reduced crowd numbers to start with, around the 5,000 or 6000, which would have made it a bit sad," he said.
"Now we can get up to that (75 per cent mark), it'll be fantastic because it's a great game."
"Especially the Bulldogs and Brisbane, both teams up and about early on in the season, so the more crowd the better."
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