Mega Thread AFL uses Simonds Stadium for qualifying final

[ZosoCat]

maybe in the next TV rights deal.... but for now too many finals are required at the MCG ethihad.

 

[jim boy]

Considering how much the city of Geelong has given to footy over 150+ years, I don't think it is too much too ask for a very rare minor finals match, especially if you are expected to play in a city for which neither team calls home. I also like the idea that by playing footy in more locations you give more people the possibility of attending a match, rather than the current ethos of giving the same people an opportunity to go to every match. Lastly a match in Geelong may generate more revenue for the AFL than a match at Etihad assuming Etihad's contractual obligations have been met.

 

[AM]

Considering how much the city of Geelong has given to footy over 150+ years, I don't think it is too much too ask for a very rare minor finals match, especially if you are expected to play in a city for which neither team calls home. I also like the idea that by playing footy in more locations you give more people the possibility of attending a match, rather than the current ethos of giving the same people an opportunity to go to every match. Lastly a match in Geelong may generate more revenue for the AFL than a match at Etihad assuming Etihad's contractual obligations have been met.

Think the AFL is more about maximising attendance and convenience for the bulk of those likely to attend than much else. Unfortunately we're not a developing club where different rules apply as it's not unreasonable for us to get a final. Just can't see it happening anytime soon.

 

[The rabbi]

If you want to see finals at K'Park then roll up when the GFL finals are on. That is about the only finals that you will see there.

 

[Vdubs]

Has there been a statement formally made in reply to this issue?
Something to do with crowd capacity. Again, I ask, what is the capacity at home grounds of GC/GWS.
If we get to play them there, it justifies the inequity of this competition

 

[cats_09]

From July 16:

"It's just our view on capacity that the largest possible number of people should be able to attend matches during the finals, so therefore we use the MCG and, potentially, Etihad for one final in the first two weeks," AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said yesterday.

"Etihad has the right to host one final across the first two weeks if there are more than two finals in Victoria scheduled for those two weeks."

In the event of four finals being played in Melbourne in week one of September, the AFL determines the game best suited for Etihad Stadium based on the potential crowd and the ladder position of the teams.

The league is not obliged to schedule any finals games at Docklands, but if no final is played there, the ground must be compensated with more home-and-away matches the following year.

 

[catstorm]

What will be interesting is if a Tasmanian club ever gets a gig in the AFL. Would finals be played at Bellerive or Launceston, or would finals games involving the Tasmanian club's games be played in Melbourne, because there is no way Tasmania will ever justify having a stadium with more than 30,000. Same with Gold Coast - what happens when they play finals?

Metricon is getting upgraded to a 40,000 seater for the 2018 Comm games i would say that is more then big enough for them to host a final considering the Gabba only holds 42,000

 

[Sttew]

Metricon is getting upgraded to a 40,000 seater for the 2018 Comm games i would say that is more then big enough for them to host a final considering the Gabba only holds 42,000

Yet Vlad has all but ruled out Geelong ever hosting a final, even after the ground capacity is increased to 40,000?

 

[catstorm]

Yet Vlad has all but ruled out Geelong ever hosting a final, even after the ground capacity is increased to 40,000?

I would think its more about comparison, Symonds at 40,000 is still 14,000 below the max of etihad.

That's a size-able difference between Metricon and the Gabbas only 2,000 difference.

 

[SJ]

There is no such thing as 'home' finals anyway, just 'home state' finals.

 

[dazbroncos]

I know its not a final ( which Id like to see) but id settle for 10 games a year at KP every year and include a rotational home game for us against one of Pies, Dons, Blues, Hawks, every year.

That would be a sell out every game - a home final theoretically may not be a guarantee - the extra home games bring the culb more guaranteed revenue.

Go Catters

 

[vealesy]

Yeh but nah.

Mcg and etihad are still the better spectator options.

 

[speedybundy]

Yeh but nah.

Mcg and etihad are still the better spectator options.

MCG I agree, but Etihad debatable. Really dislike it, not sure if it's the atmosphere, prices or something else. Seating wise its ok...

If we finish 2nd and have to play at Etihad I will not be happy, although if Collingwood and Richmond along with Hawthorn get home finals I get the feeling will be the ones shunted there.

 

[cats_09]

MCG I agree, but Etihad debatable. Really dislike it, not sure if it's the atmosphere, prices or something else. Seating wise its ok...

If we finish 2nd and have to play at Etihad I will not be happy, although if Collingwood and Richmond along with Hawthorn get home finals I get the feeling will be the ones shunted there.

The AFL have said that it will depend on the opponent as to which match will get moved to Etihad should 4 games be played in Melbourne week 1.

They all but confirmed that any match involving Collingwood will be played at the MCG, while for the match involving Sydney it will most likely be played at the MCG due to their support in Melbourne which leaves the potential matches against Freo & Port (depending on final position) as the games to be moved to Etihad.
Say the matchs up weeks one are (not sure if this is even possible as finishing positions):
Hawks (1) vs Freo (4)
Cats (2) vs Sydney (3)
Collingwood (5) vs Carlton (8) - taking a chance on Essendong losing their points
Richmond (6) vs Port (7)
Pies would play at the MCG, our game would most likely be at the MCG due to Sydney as opponents meaning either Hawks or Richmond play at Etihad - the AFL have said they will play the 3 games they feel will generate the biggest crowds at the MCG, so as long as we don't have to play Freo or Port in week 1 of the finals we should have a chance at avoiding a date with Etihad should 4 matches be in Melbourne.

 

[speedybundy]

The AFL have said that it will depend on the opponent as to which match will get moved to Etihad should 4 games be played in Melbourne week 1.

They all but confirmed that any match involving Collingwood will be played at the MCG, while for the match involving Sydney it will most likely be played at the MCG due to their support in Melbourne which leaves the potential matches against Freo & Port (depending on final position) as the games to be moved to Etihad.
Say the matchs up weeks one are (not sure if this is even possible as finishing positions):
Hawks (1) vs Freo (4)
Cats (2) vs Sydney (3)
Collingwood (5) vs Carlton (8) - taking a chance on Essendong losing their points
Richmond (6) vs Port (7)
Pies would play at the MCG, our game would most likely be at the MCG due to Sydney as opponents meaning either Hawks or Richmond play at Etihad - the AFL have said they will play the 3 games they feel will generate the biggest crowds at the MCG, so as long as we don't have to play Freo or Port in week 1 of the finals we should have a chance at avoiding a date with Etihad should 4 matches be in Melbourne.

Surely Hawthorn, given they have a huge membership base and finished on top, will play at the MCG in week 1 regardless of who they have to play (unless Port somehow get there). It's that statement from the AFL saying "we are committed to allow as many AFL fans as possible to see finals" that bothers me, if we have a home final along with any of Hawthorn/Richmond/Collingwood/Essendon I reckon will be the ones at Etihad.

 

[cats_09]

Surely Hawthorn, given they have a huge membership base and finished on top, will play at the MCG in week 1 regardless of who they have to play (unless Port somehow get there). It's that statement from the AFL saying "we are committed to allow as many AFL fans as possible to see finals" that bothers me, if we have a home final along with any of Hawthorn/Richmond/Collingwood/Essendon I reckon will be the ones at Etihad.

I agree - until I see the official draw for week 1 of the final and it says, "Geelong vs ?? @ MCG", I won't be satisfied that we are free from Etihad. Maybe just hope we don't end up with a match against Freo or Port.
This is an excerpt from the article along with the link to the full thing - so it will be interesting to see what does happen:

Any game involving Collingwood and another Victorian side will be played at the MCG and likely on Sunday, September 9 given the Magpies play North Melbourne on the Sunday of Round 23.
While any game involving Sydney and a power Victorian club is also likely to be played at the MCG given the Swans propensity to draw higher crowds in Melbourne than Fremantle or Port Adelaide.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/a...-on-etihad-final/story-fni5ezdm-1226691919944

 

[ChappyUK]

Due to Collingwood, Richmond, Essedon and potentially Csrlton all making the finals for the first time in 40 years the Cats or Hawthorn might be forced to play their first final at home.

We play well at either ground so personally don't think it's an issue. Etihad might even be an advantage.

I'm pretty sure the Hawks would rather play at the G.

Thoughts?

 

[year of the cat]

Not so sure we play Etihad that well these days. Freo at Etihad would be tough I think.

 

[JPod_31]

MCG only because its a final and we do well on the MCG.

 

[dazbroncos]

Personally, I dont want to be anywhere near Jihad. MCG please. If we get 2nd. We have earnt that right.

Go Catters

 

[cats_09]

Its not totally out of the question for Port to finish 5th/6th - just hope they win their last 2 matches and that 2 or 3 of Tigers, Pies & Bombers drop both would see Port earn a home final. That happens and it solves the problem of which Vic based side plays at Etihad.
While I believe it is highly doubtful that will happen (especially Tigers & Pies losing both, we can hope for something like that to happen)

 

[muttonchops]

Complete bullshit that we don't have a final IN GEELONG. Its all about maximising crowd i know that but for the AFL who carries on about the integrity of the competition and making it fair, a team that earns a home final like we have should actually get a real home final.

 

[Son_Of_God29]

Just Finish top and then we will get the 'G' for the first final if Hawthorn finish 2nd they will be playing @ jihad so i suggest we Barrack for North Melbourne V Hawthorn this week and Sydney in Round 23 as long as we win both games

 

[cats23]

Just Finish top and then we will get the 'G' for the first final if Hawthorn finish 2nd they will be playing @ jihad so i suggest we Barrack for North Melbourne V Hawthorn this week and Sydney in Round 23 as long as we win both games

Will finishing top mean a first final at the MCG though, or (assuming Cats & Hawks finish top 2) will whoever plays Freo be scheduled for Etihad?

 

[Son_Of_God29]

Will finishing top mean a first final at the MCG though, or (assuming Cats & Hawks finish top 2) will whoever plays Freo be scheduled for Etihad?

It would mean the AFL must give us the best draw for week 1 and if we are top that should mean MCG