MCG ditches footy food Red Rooster and Crust pizza ahead of AFL season

Footy fans who have endured two disrupted AFL seasons will now have to go without Red Rooster at games with the Melbourne Cricket Ground ditching the fast-food favourite.

Under a revamp of food offerings at the MCG, Crust Pizza and Red Rooster are out and several new eateries will be brought in – including a ritzy offering by celebrity chef Guy Grossi.

He will turn the MCC committee room into a mini up-market Italian restaurant where non-members can dine during the week.

‘The Committee Room by Guy Grossi’ will also serve President’s Club lunches and host functions at the ground when it opens on March 10 a week before the AFL season kicks off.

The classic fan favourite Red Rooster will no longer be available at the MCG under a revamp of retail food options

The AFL season gets underway at the MCG on March 16 with Melbourne going up against the Bulldogs 

Other new food outlets include Gami Chicken along with burger and shake bar Royal Stacks.

But traditionalists were none too impressed Red Rooster would no longer be on the menu.

‘Disgrace. Nobody wants $70 gourmet meals at the footy. They want $70 chicken and chips,’ Sport Entertainment Network’s Nic Negrepontis said. 

‘No more Red Rooster at the MCG? I thought they wanted to get the crowds back to the MCG, not have more stay away.’ sports broadcaster Adam White said.

‘They’ll replace it with trendy inedible food to cater for the minority I’m sure. A sad state of affairs. Keep it simple please.’

Celebrity chef Guy Grossi (pictured) will launch a mini Italian restaurant as one of the new options

‘Guy Grossi will replace Red Rooster chips with polenta chips and it should be considered a crime,’ one fan added. 

Cricket fans can sample the new fast-food culinary offerings this Sunday at the Australia v Sri Lank T20 match.

While AFL fans will need to wait until March 16 when Melbourne will play the Bulldogs in the first AFL match of the season at the MCG.