Crowd numbers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground fell to a 10-year-low in the last financial year.

The MCG Trust's annual report tabled in state parliament showed while there were strong crowds at blockbusters, such as the Boxing Day Test and the 2002 AFL Grand Final, crowds at other events were disappointing.

A total of 2.4 million people went to the MCG in the year to June 2003, compared to crowd numbers in excess of three million over the past few years.

The report said the ground redevelopment may have caused some patrons to believe there was insufficient capacity, despite this rarely being the case.

The trust also blamed international political tensions which had reduced the number of major events being staged.

An increase in live and near-live televised games under the AFL's new broadcasting agreement was also believed to have affected crowds.

"It stands to reason ... that with all AFL games now televised either free-to-air or on pay TV, normally with only a short delay for Melbourne games, that attendances will be affected," it said.

Poor performances of Victorian AFL clubs may also have reduced crowd figures, it said.

However, the trust said it was too early to accurately analyse reasons for the downturn.

Trust chairman John Wylie said he was confident the MCG redevelopment would be ready for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

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