Finals fever producing big spenders in city

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG footballers have become the biggest men in the game and now their fans want to see their heroes large as life.
The Cats, already on top of the AFL ladder, are leading a surge upward in big-screen television sales, according to Geelong’s leading electrical retailers.
Harvey Norman franchisee George Habib reported a “major spike” in big-screen plasma sales in the lead-up to the finals.
“It’s no different to last year,” Mr Habib said.
“We saw that as they got closer and closer to the grand final there was a rush on big TVs, so much so that we found it difficult to get stock.”
However, Mr Habib was surprised that Tivo – the latest recording device that controls live TV programs – had been selling so fast.
“People are gearing up for the footy finals so they can record and not miss out,” he said.
Ross Parke The Good Guys was expecting a rush on big-screens today and tomorrow.
Owner Ross Parke expected sales to be better than Geelong’s 2007 finals campaign.
“They (the big-screen TVs) are bigger and cheaper now and everyone wants to see them,” Mr Parke said.
“There’s no doubt we’re banking on them taking off.”
Mr Parke said Geelong’s appearance in the finals added up to 40 per cent to TV sales.
Last year Cats players were also big spenders on big-screens, he revealed.
“After last year’s grand final they were certainly spending up some of their cheques.”
The Cats Club Shop was also experiencing its busiest period of the year this week.
Shop assistant Jarryd Newall said sales of Cats merchandise were up 30 to 40 per cent in the first three days compared to an average week.
“Match day just gone was the biggest day of the year,” he said.
The shop had decided to remain open for the first time on Saturdays throughout the finals series to cater for demand, coinciding with club legend Billy Brownless signing his new book tomorrow.
Mr Newall said the shop’s decision not to pre-order limited edition premiership T-shirts had failed to stop cocky fans attempting to buy their piece of Cats’ immortality in cotton.
“We’ve had dozens of inquiries already,” he said.
“Yeah, everybody has taken the lid off already.”
Geelong plays St Kilda at the MCG on Sunday in the first qualifying final.