RECENTLY converted Richmond supporter Shannon Noll has been booked to perform after the Tigers’ preseason clash against Essendon at the Wangaratta Showgrounds on March 2.
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The match is headed for another sellout with 5200 tickets sold to date with the appearance of Noll and a fireworks display confirmed as added attractions by Wangaratta Council yesterday.
The crowd will be capped at 11,000 people with the council saying 300 tickets for the game are selling each day.
Noll will perform on the Norm Minns Oval playing arena after the Richmond-Essendon clash at 5.10pm.
“I’m a country boy, a diehard football fan and a newly converted Richmond supporter,” Noll said.
“This is a culmination of all of those.
“I’m really looking forward to getting to Wang-aratta to enjoy it.”
Noll’s first exposure to AFL came when he played for Hume league powerhouse Osborne in the mid-2000s before bursting onto the entertainment scene as the runner-up in Australian Idol.
Wangaratta mayor Rozi Parisotto said Noll would be a hit with footy fans at the Wangaratta game.
“Not only is the event guaranteed to be a sellout at the current rate of sale but having Shannon and the fireworks as a grand finale is the icing on the cake,” she said.
“Shannon has visited Wangaratta before, through the Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, and was a huge hit.
“His presence will add to the atmosphere of the NAB Cup event and give spectators the best possible game day experience.”
Organisers reminded those planning to go to the game there will be no tickets at the gate.
Gates will open at noon to allow fans to secure a prime vantage spot and the Murray Bushrangers will play in a curtain-raiser game from 2pm.
Last year’s AFL pre-season game in Wang-aratta was cancelled after planes carrying the Essendon players, coaches and support staff couldn’t land due to torrential rain.
St Kilda, which arrived by bus, played an intra-club game for those fans who stayed around after the cancellation.