Aurora Stadium venue manager Robert Groenewegen is expecting its “biggest game for years” for Carlton’s first visit for premiership points against Hawthorn. “This is the game that everyone wanted to go,” he said.

Ticket sales have indicated corporate allocations have been sold out since early in the year, while groups of reserve seating have also been sold out for at least a month.

“We know it’s going to be a really strong crowd. Ticket sales have been under duress with expectations for a while now,” Groenewegen said.

“We’ve still got general admission sales, but it looks like it will be our biggest game for years.

“The reserved seating has been sold out, but people sometimes confuse that with the game being sold out.”

Launceston City Council has indicated it will push the AFL for more traditional teams to bolster crowd and Victorian visitor numbers. 

“What we’re after is just a bit of a variety – we’re certainly not complaining,” Groenewegen said.

“We haven’t had St Kilda for quite a while and people responded to that game.

“Obviously, we’ve never had Carlton before – they were here in preseason – but never for an AFL game.”

Groenewegen has backed hosting more than two big drawcards next season.

Carlton helped attract 9181 fans for its preseason challenge match against Hawthorn in February.

“They’re a traditional club with a massive supporter base and people were targeting St Kilda and Carlton games as the traditional VFL/AFL teams,” he said.

“That’s certainly been reflected in our sales.

“Certainly ‘Bolts’ being coach for Carlton has been really encouraging and has been absolutely pivotal.”

The ex-North Launceston onballer called then-York Park home and his return should drag extra supporters through turnstiles.

“It’s purely been the way he’s reinvented the club. He’s certainly changed the demeanour of the average Carlton supporter,” he said.