WAGGA could be a big winner from Friday's AFL Bushfire Relief clash with hopes it will ensure plenty of Richmond and Greater Western Sydney's big names play in next Sunday's Marsh Community Series clash at Robertson Oval.
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Given it's the last hit-out for both teams before the season proper begins the likes of Jeremy Cameron, Dustin Martin and Jack Riewoldt could line up to ensure they get valuable game time before things get serious.
AFL Southern NSW regional manager Marc Geppert said pre-sales had been strong with around 4000 tickets sold, with a sell-out capacity of around 9000.
The Giants and Tigers also do battle in an AFLW clash on Saturday, before which the men's teams will hold their captain's runs at the ground.
"The Bushfire Relief match will probably work in our favour," Geppert said.
"I'm hoping there's two very strong squads because it's their last real hit-out before round one, so we should see the superstars lining up.
"Ticket sales have been good and we've always had a big walk-up on the day, but we're encouraging people to buy them on Ticketek early to avoid disappointment."
Geppert said it's important local fans support both games to send a clear message there's a desire for top-level AFL content to be allocated to the city on a more regular basis.
"We've got to get the runs on the board, which means getting people through the gates," he said.
"To show the AFL we're fair dinkum about our elite sport down here, we need to get people to support it so we can secure future games.
"It's great other sports are getting elite content here as well because it really keeps us on our toes. The success of the Canberra Raiders (NRL) game (in Wagga) last year has probably kicked us into gear to get the double header here this year.
"It's really important, not only our AFL games next weekend but when any elite sport comes to town, that people support it so we continually get them back in the future."
The Giants will also make appearances at local schools and hospitals on Monday, March 9 before heading out to bushfire-affected areas including Batlow and Tumbarumba.
WAGGA SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, MARCH 6
4pm: Richmond AFLW captain's run
5.30pm: Giants AFLW captain's run
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Gates open: 12.45pm
1pm: Southern NSW women - North Wagga v East Wagga Kooringal
1.50pm: Southern NSW women - CSU v Riverina Lions
2.40pm-3.15pm: Giants men captain's run
3.20pm-3.50pm: Richmond men captain's run
4.10pm: AFLW teams' warm-up
5.10pm: AFLW match start
SUNDAY, MARCH 8
12.40pm: Marsh Community Series match
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