Reigning premier Richmond will play Collingwood in an AFL pre-season blockbuster at Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval next year on Sunday, March 1. It will be the Tigers' fourth visit to the North-East in seven years. Their most recent visit was in 2018, taking on Essendon in a pre-season match at the ground in front of a crowd of 7681. Collingwood and Richmond almost met in this year's grand final, with the Pies bowing out against Greater Western Sydney in the preliminary final. Wangaratta president Tony Goodison admitted the club has had a good run in hosting major events in recent years. ALSO IN SPORT: "These are two great sides that should have very good teams next year," Goodison said. "We expect a sell-out crowd, even though it's a Sunday game, which is a little bit different. "I wouldn't think that would have much of an impact. "We like getting these major events to Wangaratta and we certainly support them. "It helps us invest in the showgrounds for the future as well, which is what we're all working towards." Goodison also highlighted the success of the ground hosting the Ovens and Murray league grand final for the past two years, with work still underway on the Lavington Sportsground. "We've been really pleased with how that (O and M grand final) has panned out, having an extra 1000 people there this year," Goodison said. "Hopefully we're successful in getting it next year again before Lavington is fully available." Norm Minns Oval has the capacity to hold 11,000. Richmond will also play Greater Western Sydney in a replay of this year's grand final at Wagga's Robertson Oval on Sunday, March 8.
"These are two great sides that should have very good teams next year," Goodison said.
"We expect a sell-out crowd, even though it's a Sunday game, which is a little bit different.
"I wouldn't think that would have much of an impact.
"We like getting these major events to Wangaratta and we certainly support them.
"It helps us invest in the showgrounds for the future as well, which is what we're all working towards."
Goodison also highlighted the success of the ground hosting the Ovens and Murray league grand final for the past two years, with work still underway on the Lavington Sportsground.
"We've been really pleased with how that (O and M grand final) has panned out, having an extra 1000 people there this year," Goodison said.
"Hopefully we're successful in getting it next year again before Lavington is fully available."
Norm Minns Oval has the capacity to hold 11,000.
Richmond will also play Greater Western Sydney in a replay of this year's grand final at Wagga's Robertson Oval on Sunday, March 8.
