Simonds Stadium Snubbed For Finals

[JeffDunne]

I see Richmond supporters are still getting ahead of themselves.

 

[Deep]

If you didn't play home games at the g already I would actually agree with Geelong supporters it should be at your home ground as it would be against any other interstate sides and bad luck for our supporters. But you do play home games at the g so that gives the afl the choice and it's going to be the g everytime it's just unlucky you play another team that has that as there home ground AS WELL.

You realise if we went behind the AFL's back and signed a 11 home game contract with KP that we would still get shafted to the MCG for finals

 

[docko911]

Couldn't care less about your fans, I want my team to have the best possible advantage in their attempt to take a flag this year. Simple fact of the matter is that your team didn't earn its fans the right to seats, so you have to plead for handouts from the AFL instead. Good job.

Well that's bullshit because If we finished 2nd your team wouldn't have earned the rights to seats but would have been able to get one because we have a big enough stadium. In addition, your stadium was paid for partly by the AFL which means your club should allow the AFL to make more revenue by hosting the final at the MCG.

Also, if you want 11 homes games and home finals, build a 60,000 seat stadium, until you do don't complain as your clubs hands are out to the AFL as much as the next.

 

[che88]

You realise if we went behind the AFL's back and signed a 11 home game contract with KP that we would still get shafted to the MCG for finals

Then I would feel for you and agree with all your angst because that would be a bullshit move by the afl. But it's not the case is it.

 

[che88]

By the way Richmond being Richmond could easily get rolled by the saints today anyway.

 

[rideclutch]

I agree entirely that Geelong should be afforded the choice of playing a home final in Geelong if they wanted, regardless of how many are locked out.

However since the big dance is always going to be at the MCG, I'd absolutely want the chance to run out and get some finals experience on that ground, especially with kids who might've only played 4-5 games there. Should be seeing it as an oppurtunity, not a burden.

Hypothetically, if the Grand Final was to be played at Simonds I would understand the furore.

 

[Mitch3233]

Personally, I think finals are unique and the AFL should make case-by-case decisions. Yes, we are disadvantaged if we 'host' a MCG tenant at the G, but honestly the finals are not fair and equitable to begin with and unless we actually wanna get into the 'GF always at the G' question, it's not really in Geelong's interest to kick and scream about finals venues.

But if anything comes out of this year it should be that this nonsense about certain teams have to play in Geelong and some don't for the H&A. For the millionth time, GEELONG ASK FOR 11 GAMES AT KP. And we should get them.

AFL should make it known that in the future no team will be immune to coming down to Geelong. Sure Eddie and co will
lose their minds for a week but they'll eventually get over it.

 

[Scotland]

Well those circumstances are unlikely to recur for a long time as the Pies sink further into the swamp of inconsequence.

The Cats shd play their first final at their litter box as they have earned it. The AFL should provide fair ticketing arrangements to allow 40% of ground capacity to be provided to fans of the oppo club.

This is true, but if you look back at past finals series Geelong vs Hawthorn, Hawthorn vs Sydney and Hawthorn vs Adelaide has been scheduled at Docklands. I can't see those fixtures being scheduled there again. If the AFL see 50-60k+ potential in any fixture, they'll be putting it at the MCG. Geelong/Hawthorn has drawn 60k and 70k this year, and only one of those teams is a finalist. I think the last final at Docklands was St Kilda vs Sydney which isn't a high drawing fixture. What will be interesting is if Melbourne finish 5th or 6th and host a non-Vic side. Will the AFL dare schedule them at Docklands?

Another thing that people seem to overlook is that the AFL now owns Docklands. Fans see it as the spillover venue, the AFL see it as the venue they get to keep all the monies from.

 

[Scotland]

So Geelong will finish 2nd. Let's say the AFL give them a home QF at Kardinia Park.

Are Cats fans happy for the tickets to be allocated 50/50? Or as a split based on membership numbers?

 

[Tiger71]

Prices have been released and all stadiums are covered

MCG
AO
Spotless
SCG

But no Simounds Stadium. Snubbed?

Awesome

 

[QPower]

The Swans were routinely moved from the SCG to ANZ during finals without complaint from them and the SCG, even prior to renovations, held a lot more people than Kardinia Park.

That suggests it was always a home state advantage not a home ground advantage.

 

[Inferno]

Finals matches have equal access for both sets of supporters. Tbh there's no point playing Richmond at Kardinia Park if 50% of the crowd is Tigers supporters anyway. Just play it at the G where it'll be in front of 80k and be done with it.

If we play GWS it absolutely should be at Kardinia. Only Cats fans will be locked out, but the crowd in Melbourne would barely be above the capacity of KP - probably in the ballpark of the low 40,000's, and possibly even less than KP's capacity if at Etihad.

 

[Grand Uncle Horace]

The Swans were routinely moved from the SCG to ANZ during finals without complaint from them and the SCG, even prior to renovations, held a lot more people than Kardinia Park.

That suggests it was always a home state advantage not a home ground advantage.

Not fair to the Bloods and should not serve as a precedent to disadvantage the Cats. Their finals should rightfully be played at the Litter Box.

 

[catstorm]

So Geelong will finish 2nd. Let's say the AFL give them a home QF at Kardinia Park.

Are Cats fans happy for the tickets to be allocated 50/50? Or as a split based on membership numbers?

I would be fine with 50/50, but not based on membership numbers.
It's a moot point game will be at the G and get 80-90k if it's against Richmond.

 

[QPower]

Not fair to the Bloods and should not serve as a precedent to disadvantage the Cats. Their finals should rightfully be played at the Litter Box.

Apart from GWS and GC, any other Club would attract a crowd at least 20k in excess of Kardinia Park capacity - no code can be locking out that many fans when it has options not to.

Indeed, that is the argument the AFL uses for NEVER scheduling Collingwood, Carlton and Hawthorn at KP even during H/A season.

If it is good enough for the powerful Vic Clubs to never have to make the trip down the highway to Geelong, no finals should ever be scheduled at the venue.

 

[Holden Hillbilly]

Eureka Stadium also snubbed in 2018.

 

[Tatts22]

Stuff Geelong. They have asked to play Hawthorn at the MCG on Easter Monday and others there as their home game. If it's good enough for the H&A season, they can have it for the finals. Sick to death of their precious bleating.

I'm happy if we can play a final at the mcg if we finish high enough to qualify for "home ground advantage" . It's When they say we have to play Etihad that I think we should be able to play it at Kardinia park.

 

[The Final Word]

Happy with Geelong vs Tigers at MCG but if results go to plan, we'll play the Giants in the Prelim and that should be at KP.

 

[Boxhead_31]

The Swans were routinely moved from the SCG to ANZ during finals without complaint from them and the SCG, even prior to renovations, held a lot more people than Kardinia Park.

That suggests it was always a home state advantage not a home ground advantage.

That was because Fitzpatprick had contracts in place that said Sydney finals had to be played in the Stadium that his management group owns

 

[speedpeck23]

Personally, I think finals are unique and the AFL should make case-by-case decisions. Yes, we are disadvantaged if we 'host' a MCG tenant at the G, but honestly the finals are not fair and equitable to begin with and unless we actually wanna get into the 'GF always at the G' question, it's not really in Geelong's interest to kick and scream about finals venues.

But if anything comes out of this year it should be that this nonsense about certain teams have to play in Geelong and some don't for the H&A. For the millionth time, GEELONG ASK FOR 11 GAMES AT KP. And we should get them.

AFL should make it known that in the future no team will be immune to coming down to Geelong. Sure Eddie and co will
lose their minds for a week but they'll eventually get over it.[/QUOT

Let's put it this way... at times the Cat's playing a blockbuster at the G is worth far more to the AFL and the clubs (including Geelong) than a full house at Skilled stadium. This reality is the whole basis for ground rationalization which began as far back as 1966 when Richmond moved to the G for it's home games. Skilled stadium like other smaller venues clearly is better when the match is less likely to attract a big crowd. Don't worry if the Hawks are struggling over the next year or two we'll end up down there at some stage.

 

[BlakeyNoFlakey]

I have no problem with playing the Tiges at the MCG, the more games there the better. I really don't understand this thing people have built up in their minds about Simonds Stadium. Like how dare we play home games at home, it's just ridiculous. A double standard. But when it comes to finals, I hope we play all of them at the MCG.

 

[Scotland]

Now that the AFL owns Etihad should Essendon, Bulldogs, whoever be able to request home finals at that ground?

 

[parano1a]

Now that the AFL owns Etihad should Essendon, Bulldogs, whoever be able to request home finals at that ground?

No.

 

[parano1a]

Giants in the Prelim and that should be at KP.

No way known. Prelim would be at the MCG in front of 60k +

 

[Footy_Fan2007]

I agree entirely that Geelong should be afforded the choice of playing a home final in Geelong if they wanted, regardless of how many are locked out.

However since the big dance is always going to be at the MCG, I'd absolutely want the chance to run out and get some finals experience on that ground, especially with kids who might've only played 4-5 games there. Should be seeing it as an oppurtunity, not a burden.

Hypothetically, if the Grand Final was to be played at Simonds I would understand the furore.

Finally a sensible comment.