Geelong Vs. Richmond - the match of the ultimate underdog...

[slimdusty4]

Definitely precious. You won't go to a suburban ground with outdated toilets. You probably pay $180 for flannel shirts too.

no, i just can't cop locking out 65,000 fans, and making them go to bunnings sausage sizzle tents, at a "state of the art complex" in the ass end of victoria.

as i said, get it unto 50k, and have reasonable amenities, and people will flood to it, and so will home finals opportunities.

180? don't be ridiculous, i only spend that on t shirts.

 

[kickazz]

and more importantly, why is it an issue now, it hasn't been in the past?

I mean you could say that any time someone wants to change anything. Maybe it was an issue in the past but the proponents didn't have enough support? Maybe attitudes or other circumstances have changed?

Just because a raise a point today, instead of yesterday, doesn't make it invalid.

 

[Rotayjay]

A come from behind win against a Port Adelaide team that no-one gave a chance and a patchy win against Hawthorn, who had an straightforward chance to pinch it from us after the siren.

I think that it could easily be argued that our most meritorious finals performance since 2011 was the 2013 Preliminary Final loss, when we coughed up a 20 point three quarter time lead to the Hawks, after somewhat understandably running out of steam.

Let's look at all of those games since the premiership win.

Fremantle, 2012: The Cats had finished the home & away season with a wet sail and had been a rough chance to sneak into the top four late in the season. Getting Fremantle in an MCG Elimination Final was supposed to be a tune up, before we'd give the top four an almighty scare with an extended finals run. Whoops...Fremantle extended the lead past 50 points and after we had a bit of a run to give them a scare, cruised to a comfortable win.
Rating 2/10

Fremantle 2013: The infamous Simonds Stadium Final, which doesn't give enough credit to a fired up Dockers outfit, who simply outplayed us. The absence of Hawkins and Dawson Simpson (before you laugh, have a look at what Simpson was doing that season before he got injured) didn't help and the decision to go with Vardy, Blicavs and Josh Walker against Sandilands (rather than bringing in Trent West, playing Vardy as a forward and leaving Walker out) remains questionable. EDIT: there was also the mind-boggling decision to make Chapman the sub for his 250th, when he was in good form leading into the game.
Rating 4/10

Port Adelaide 2013: Paul Chapman and James Kelly dragged us over the line in a game that we were in serious danger of losing, against Port, who had been forced to travel to Victoria for the second time in a row, following a surprise win against the Pies. Chapman ended up being suspended for the next game.
Rating 5/10

Hawthorn 2013: We weren't given much of a chance in this one, as we were firmly in the 'QF losers beat the EF winners, then lose to the other QF winners' pattern in 2013. Chapman (who was probably BOG in the Port Adelaide win) and Enright were out and Tom Hawkins clearly shouldn't have been playing. Nevertheless, the Cats took it right up to the Hawks, with Geelong capitalising on its chances, while the Hawks were wasteful.

A seven goal to three third quarter put us within touching distance of another GF, but even at the time, it felt like we would need at least two and probably three goals to hold the Hawks off, as they'd peppered the goals all night and sooner or later, they would click. And so it was. After Franklin kicked the first goal of the last quarter and Josh Caddy nailed a steadier in the eighth minute, the next ten scores went to the Hawks, including the go-ahead goal. Varcoe missed a golden opportunity on the run to tie the scores with less than a minute to go, but really, it's hard to see us winning anyway, if it had gone to extra time.
Rating 7.5/10

Hawthorn 2014: Honestly, I don't remember much about this game, as it sort of blends into the 'Mission Accomplished' match from a few weeks earlier. This was a turning point year for me; we were still winning, but I couldn't count how many games we'd either just got out of jail, or we'd been up by 4-5 goals and couldn't close the door on an inferior opponent, like we would have 3-5 years earlier. Selwood was masterful, but had little help. Comfortable win to Hawthorn.
Rating 3/10

North Melbourne 2014: This is the point where I seriously started to consider whether we were the team that went flat out from April to August to get a good ladder position and then just had nothing left when every other team went up a gear in September. Todd Goldstein at the height of his powers versus Blicavs and Josh Walker...you can probably guess how that match-up went. Tom Hawkins was sensational, but again, just not enough help and too many teammates who barely made a contribution. An exciting comeback, but ultimately another knockout final lost by a kick.
Rating 3/10

Hawthorn 2016: I thought that we actually controlled this game pretty well, though it was an arm wrestle throughout. A burst in the second half of the third quarter gave us the edge, but we couldn't close down the plucky Hawks and they just kept coming back. I think that if Isaac Smith had kicked that goal, we would have been wondering how we lost that game. It felt like we'd done enough with a lot of room for improvement.
Rating 7/10

Sydney 2016: Seven goals to zip in the first quarter and that ended up being pretty much the final margin, with it never getting within 30 points, and blowing out to around 50 at times. A 1.2 to 1.3 final quarter probably sums things up...if you're down by 40-odd heading in to the last quarter of a Preliminary Final, you go all out attack and risk losing by 60 for the slight chance of actually going on a big run. We simply couldn't score against them and I remember the delivery inside 50 being absolutely disgraceful all night. A few players put up decent stats, but really it was exhibit A for the 'Geelong is a two man team' detractors.
Rating 2/10 (one for Selwood and one for Dangerfield)

The MCG factor is important too, not so much that it's Richmond's home ground, but just that we've looked pretty ordinary there for a year (although three wins against Hawthorn has been nice). The obvious reason is that there's too much space for our zone to set up effectively and suffocate the opposition, although the recent game against Collingwood gives me some hope that we've figured it out (three goals against in three quarters). And even though we've kept our winning streak going against Richmond, I can't remember the last time that we really took them to the cleaners (including a get out of jail win last year).

Terrific post. This is why the possibility of a Crows/Geelong grand final is intriguing (and scary for both sets of fans). What would be the deciding factor? Your team's superior exoerience, or the MCG's dimensions making it harder to defend against Adelaide?

 

[maskmcgee]

Yep, they have only earned a home state final as per the rules. And it's up to the AFL's discretion on where that game is played within that state. So of course they'll disregard the fact that Geelong have a home ground that is more than capable of hosting of final (including night finals), because maintaining the integrity of the competition comes 2nd to revenue and crowd attendance figures.

The league has no integrity while Geelong are allowed to play home games in Geelong at all.

 

[dean33]

We certainly will. I don't know what everyone is bitching about. We get to play a team that can't win a final against anyone, let alone a team that they haven't beaten at the G since 1999. We should well and truly waltz into the prelim, with or without half our team.

If we lose, well I suppose we will just blame it on umpires or something. That seems to be the go to excuse. In reality, if we can't beat Richmond at the G, we aren't a serious final contender anyway.

Glad you are super confident, surprised if we even bother to show up considering you have the game all but won...

 

[HBF]

Amazing to hear that this is all but a sellout.
Bring on next Friday night - it should be a belter.

 

[catscratchfever]

The league has no integrity while Essendon are allowed to play any games at all.

*fixed*

 

[Alfar]

Yep, they have only earned a home state final as per the rules. And it's up to the AFL's discretion on where that game is played within that state. So of course they'll disregard the fact that Geelong have a home ground that is more than capable of hosting of final (including night finals), because maintaining the integrity of the competition comes 2nd to revenue and crowd attendance figures.

The Saints, Dogs and North have also had their home finals moved to the MCG as well. I would say having Geelong's moved is being consistent and maintaining the integrity of the game as they are being treated exactly the same as other clubs in similar situations.

Their ground is capable of hosting a final but it's not the best option. Tell me which looks better to fans and non-fans of the code; Filling up a country stadium and locking out 50,000+ fans or filling up one of the largest stadiums in the world? It gives better revenue and provides a much better spectacle. When the expansion clubs came into existence clubs were aware they were going to have to give up top end draft talent and that they would need a lot of support to establish themselves. They signed off on the expansion clubs because in the long term it better for the code to try and expand and grow. In a similar way Geelong is being somewhat forced into playing at the MCG but it is what's best for the code. This game is going to be one of the biggest and most attended games of the year (second only to the Grand Final and maybe a Prelim). How could you not have it at the MCG?

 

[Jobe Watson]

Their ground is capable of hosting a final but it's not the best option. Tell me which looks better to fans and non-fans of the code; Filling up a country stadium and locking out 50,000+ fans or filling up one of the largest stadiums in the world? It gives better revenue and provides a much better spectacle. When the expansion clubs came into existence clubs were aware they were going to have to give up top end draft talent and that they would need a lot of support to establish themselves. They signed off on the expansion clubs because in the long term it better for the code to try and expand and grow. In a similar way Geelong is being somewhat forced into playing at the MCG but it is what's best for the code.

This game is going to be one of the biggest and most attended games of the year (second only to the Grand Final and maybe a Prelim). How could you not have it at the MCG?

And it's my opinion that that should have no bearing.

I can't think of another sport that forces a team that earned home field advantage to have their game moved to another, bigger stadium in the same state (in this case the home stadium of their opponents) just because it will increase attendance. The Houston Texans don't have their playoffs games moved to the AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) just because it will likely mean a bigger crowd.

The AFL own finals and they obviously want to maximize attendance and revenue, which I can understand. But it's at the cost of fairness. The team that earns home field advantage should be given the choice. The on-field competition should come before off-field metrics.

 

[juss]

No, its not. Haven't figured out that Geelong is NOT part of Melbourne, yet? Also, did you hear the entitled whingeing going on when your mob had to play a H&A game at our home ground? You are sitting in a glass house.

You host MCG home games. You dont host interstate home games. See the difference?

 

[Ricketz]

You host MCG home games. You dont host interstate home games. See the difference?

Yes, both are not our home games at our home ground. Oh wait, that is the same!

 

[fnerd]

Alot riding on this one... whoever loses is going out in straight sets

 

[Duskfire]

Alot riding on this one... whoever loses is going out in straight sets

Not necesarily. Richmond match up well against Sydney, they can beat them.

 

[Marcus DuQuesne]

surely a p1ss take?


it's not a home and away fixture, afl has responsibilities to all fans of all clubs, even if travelling interstate.


think you've had one too many sherries gramps.... the consensus of fans, experts, and bookmakers have geelong as favourite.

you are not an underdog. please jog on.



have you read this thread?



did you kick up a stink last year? when you played sydney and hawthorn at the g?
did simmonds give you the best advantage in 2013 - the only time in recent memory you played a final there?

in fact, id like to know how many finals, have actually been played there?
and more importantly, why is it an issue now, it hasn't been in the past?

Listen here young fella the point is why listen to the consensus of fans whoever the F#$k they are or the "experts". As for the bookies as we speak Geelong are marginal Favourites. Happy the game is at the G. Hope we get some umpires that allow a free flowing game. There ya go both teams start at Zero. So get some concrete in your coffee and harden the fcuk up. It's only a game.

 

[winty]

Wonder if we were to look into the posting history of those Tiger fans telling Geelong fans to suck it up, if we'd see the same posters whinging that they had to play at Simonds a few weeks back.

 

[Rimmer]

With the Dusty saga finally behind us I can direct my attention to our finals campaign (rubs his hands together)

Right then who do we play

.... crap ....

My grandfather told me he can remember us beating Geelong.

 

[PhatBoy]

The league has no integrity while Geelong are allowed to play home games in Geelong at all.

My hat is off.

Seriously, I don't just take off my hat to a post that requires such an exhorbitant amount of stupidity.
I've literally excavated a 40-ft deep hole with a tablespoon in order to bury my hat, that's how off it is.

 

[Rotayjay]

Hopefully the game itself will be a cracker and this venue debate snoozefest will be forgotten.

 

[Snooza 100]

Good point, it is a very big advantage Geelong have playing games at the same ground that they train at, no other victorian clubs have the same luxury..

The league has no integrity while Geelong are allowed to play home games in Geelong at all.

 

[Xtreme]

Its going to be pretty funny if Richmond lose this game and end up going out in straight sets after just paying Dusty that much $$$$

 

[Mad_Hatter]

Good point, it is a very big advantage Geelong have playing games at the same ground that they train at, no other victorian clubs have the same luxury..

Not our fault you are all a bunch of sooky soft *****.

 

[banzai]

I can't think of another sport that forces a team that earned home field advantage to have their game moved to another, bigger stadium in the same state (in this case the home stadium of their opponents) just because it will increase attendance. The Houston Texans don't have their playoffs games moved to the AT&T Stadium (home of the Dallas Cowboys) just because it will likely mean a bigger crowd.

Im sure the NRL do the same for the Sydney teams, also The Texans stadium holds over 72k and Dallas 80k. Im sure if Kardinia Park had a capacity 8k less than the MCG it wouldnt be moved.

 

[Snooza 100]

Its going to be pretty funny if Richmond lose this game and end up going out in straight sets after just paying Dusty that much $$$$

Whats funnier is hawthorn losing jordan lewis to pay vickarys contract, and vickary is playing VFL!

 

[Snooza 100]

Not our fault you are all a bunch of sooky soft *****.

Its not our fault geelong is a hole, and no one wants to go there..

 

[Snooza 100]

There is an argument that the ground has now been sufficiently developed to the standard that would be expected of an AFL finals venue and that if it was in any of the other AFL states, no-one would have a problem with it hosting finals.

However, to expect the AFL to hold finals that are going to crack 90K comfortably in Geelong is pretty fanciful. And it was never an issue for Geelong to play 'home' finals at the MCG when it was a juggernaut in the 2007-11 period. There's really no excuse for not being able to play finals at the MCG. If your team's gamestyle doesn't hold up there, that's a fundamental flaw.

Common sense. Thank you..