'We need to keep pushing': Essendon keen to move home games to MCG as Marvel Stadium contract nears end

Essendon has expressed interest in moving more of their home games from Marvel Stadium to the MCG, as their contract with the Docklands ground comes to an end in 2024.

The Bombers first moved to the MCG from their spiritual home, Windy Hill in Essendon in 1992, before uprooting and landing at Marvel Stadium when it was first erected in 2000.

Essendon, who slid to 11th on the ladder after a promising start to their 2023 campaign, are hoping to move some of their seven Marvel home games to the MCG.

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They currently play four of their 11 home games at the MCG, but with hopes of returning to the finals, Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo confirmed the club has been in talks with the league to pull off the move.

"At the moment, it is four at the 'G and seven at Marvel," Vozzo said at Essendon's AGM.

"We would love to play at least another one to two games (at the MCG)."

It won't be a quick change for Essendon, Vozzo admits.

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However, the club has proposed a short term plan to start making the switch, as their 2023 attendances continued to grow, headlined by a massive 71,977 average for their games at the MCG.

"We're aiming to for one to two over the next period of time, and we need to keep pushing our case in a considered way to achieve that outcome, and that is what we are committed to doing," Vozzo said.

Essendon host Hawthorn at the MCG in round one of the 2024 season.