THE AFL has urged supporters concernedabout missing out on tickets to the round-13 Hawthorn-Collingwood match atTelstra Dome to purchase them sooner rather than later.

The league has ruled out switching thepotential blockbuster to the MCG owing to possible inclement weather,commitments to the Docklands venue, and logistical issues.

Despite the fact the Magpies are renownedfor pulling large crowds and the Hawks and Carlton drew 53,459 spectators onFriday, the AFL maintain the match will remain at Telstra Dome.

“We've got two venues in Melbourne, and they both need to be supportedand they are both fantastic venues,” AFL broadcasting and commercial officerGillon McLachlan told SEN on Tuesday.

“We've had a policy for a long time ofplaying night games and twilight games in the middle of winter indoors.

“Some like being out in the rain, butthere's many who don't, and crowds at night support the fact that people likegoing to Telstra Dome as opposed to being outside.

“There are plenty of seats available, andif you're concerned about that, please buy a ticket now.

“We're comfortable that the average crowdbetween these two teams for the last 10 years has been well below 50,000.

“That's including MCG members, so we'recomfortable with the site of the fixture.”

McLachlan said the AFL “doesn't agreepeople will miss out”, even though Hawthorn members are being granted freeentrance because of the Hawks' Launceston deal and both clubs have a collectivemembership of close to 70,000.

He said the decision to keep the game atTelstra Dome was also encouraged by the demand by fans to be informed inadvance of where their side is playing.

“The other thing to consider, and it's beena principle we've had for a long time, is that people want certainty in theirfixture,” he said.

“There is a game at the MCG, there is agame at Telstra Dome, and people like knowing in advance in the season wherethe games are going to be.”