Beyond the GF – Why the MCG Contract doesn’t pass the Stink Test

[HTT]

And Optus

Why is the largest crowd there below 60,000?

 

[HPKS]

Why is the largest crowd there below 60,000?

largest crowd is 61,721 (2019 Bledisloe Cup, Australia v New Zealand, 10 August)

 

[Farang83150]

Such a sad little insecure state aren't they.

LOL...a bit geographically challenged are you!!

 

[HTT]

largest crowd is 61,721 (2019 Bledisloe Cup, Australia v New Zealand, 10 August)

Oh so we are playing the grand final on a rectangle ground now. That makes much more sense.

 

[HPKS]

Oh so we are playing the grand final on a rectangle ground now. That makes much more sense.

You said “Why is the largest crowd there below 60,000?” So I gave you the largest crowd.

 

[Farang83150]

Why is the largest crowd there below 60,000?

It's not though is it...

 

[Juddernaut08]

Any sane person understands that having the Grand Final, basically in perpetuity, at your home ground, home city or home state is an advantage to varying degrees. This is beyond doubt.

The AFL has gifted the Grand Final to the MCC for a further 32 years, for what amounts to beans. $225 million for an upgrade of the “Docklands Precinct” a stadium/area which most Melbournite’s seem to despise any rate, some ongoing upkeep of the MCG and some money for women’s AFL facilities in Victoria. That’s it. For a 32 year contract? If you chuck in the MCG small upgrades and the Women’s facility upgrades in the 1 state, they basically sold the rights to the AFL Grand Final for around $10 million a year. An event that creates up to $100 million a year, in a normal year for the Victorian economy. What do you reckon $10 mill will buy you in 2058? A 3 bedder in Box Hill North? Complete madness. The AFL/MCC/Vic Government collusion on this has been extraordinary.

Whilst the actual Grand Final being held at the MCG every year is really, really corrupt, especially at the non commercial price they paid for it, it isn't even the most contemptuous facet of the disgraceful deal.

The MANDATED 10 of the top 12 highest drawing games must be played at the MCG is the most unfair, disgraceful and biased part of this deal. Why? Well look how this happens, who it benefits and why. What it means is that the AFL actively promote Marquee games, all at the MCG, almost always in stand alone spots. Who benefits? Exclusively the big Melbourne teams. Its why we have ANZAC Day, Dreamtime at the G, Queens birthday "tradition", the Easter Monday Geelong/Hawthorn "Blockbuster". It’s why Sheedy’s hair brained “Farmers Game” has been tried.

The rest of these AFL promoted "Blockbusters" are shared amongst the big 6 Vic teams depending on who's in form or they are scheduled early in the season when hope is still high. Again, who benefits? These specific teams because they get huge gate takings and huge exposure, with all the associated sponsorship and commercial benefits this brings. When did the AFL ever really promote a game, like properly promote a game that wasn't an MCG Blockbuster? I mean a Showdown hasn't ever been on a Friday night FFS.

McGuire's grubby hands are all over this deal. He's the conduit between the MCC/AFL and State Govt. Collingwood of course benefit the most from it. Have you ever thought it weird that McGuire always barracks for Carlton, Collingwood's supposed sworn enemy? It's because he's desperate for the rivalry to get back to what it was in VFL times. It's another chance to promote Collingwood and Collingwood's preeminence and most importantly, more cash for Collingwood.

With Perth now (in Non COVID times) regularly getting 55k to their games, the bar has now been lifted, to get 10 of the highest drawing games at the MCG to fulfill their disgraceful shitty contract, they’re going to have to try even harder to push these MCG "Blockbuster" games.

Bias, Non Commercial, Nepotistic, Corrupt, partisan, dishonourable.

Most AFL supporters still live in Melbourne. When the code grows to support 10 south australian teams, we can revisit this conversation.

 

[HTT]

It's not though is it...

You said “Why is the largest crowd there below 60,000?” So I gave you the largest crowd.

Why is the largest crowd for an AFL game below 60,000? Thought it might be obvious in the context of a discussion of an AFL Grand Final but perhaps not.

 

[HPKS]

Why is the largest crowd for an AFL game below 60,000? Thought it might be obvious in the context of a discussion of an AFL Grand Final but perhaps not.

Well if you wanted to discuss that it’s pretty important that you ask that question. Bolding AFL now doesn’t change what you asked unless you go back to edit that post.

 

[Farang83150]

Why is the largest crowd for an AFL game below 60,000? Thought it might be obvious in the context of a discussion of an AFL Grand Final but perhaps not.

Well the original answer from me was to a comment from another richmond person...they asked..."which stadiums in Australia can host crowds above 60k".

 

[HTT]

Well the original answer from me was to a comment from another richmond person...they asked..."which stadiums in Australia can host crowds above 60k".

It was actually me if you scroll up. I can confirm that in the context of a discussion about an AFL Grand Final, I meant stadiums that can host above 60k at an AFL game.
Flemington Racecourse can fit 120,000 but not sure it would be a suitable venue for an AFL Grand Final.

 

[Coach_Required]

The deal stinks because it was signed off with barely any consultation with the interstate clubs

The Melbourne clubs, MCG, and docklands get significant infrastructure upgrades

For the interstate teams.........increased MCG access. That's it

But hey that's entirely equitable and there is nothing to see here......

Wasnt there a thread started just recently having a whinge about non-vic teams being called interstate teams?

These threads make me laugh, every few years people having a sook about something that isnt going to change. The contract will not be ripped up.

Just remember next time non vic supporters who want to have a cry. The 1st ever Grand Final played outside Melbourne was won by a Victorian team in an all Victorian Grand Final. Gee you wouldnt possibly want another Vic team taking it out this year surely.

 

[GWT6]

largest crowd is 61,721 (2019 Bledisloe Cup, Australia v New Zealand, 10 August)

Flemington racecourse can hold about 130,000, Adelaide GP tracks record was over 200,000. Maybe we should include those locations in the list where more than 60,000 people can attend a sport that is not AFL?

 

[FreoFan85]

Wasnt there a thread started just recently having a whinge about non-vic teams being called interstate teams?

These threads make me laugh, every few years people having a sook about something that isnt going to change. The contract will not be ripped up.

Just remember next time non vic supporters who want to have a cry. The 1st ever Grand Final played outside Melbourne was won by a Victorian team in an all Victorian Grand Final. Gee you wouldnt possibly want another Vic team taking it out this year surely.

We don’t care who wins it, we just want a great game. It is just the fact that we can go and actually watch it. Just like in 2005 or 2006 when no vic team was involved it was still a spectacle and great game. Irrelevant what teams make it in.

 

[HPKS]

Wasnt there a thread started just recently having a whinge about non-vic teams being called interstate teams?

These threads make me laugh, every few years people having a sook about something that isnt going to change. The contract will not be ripped up.

Just remember next time non vic supporters who want to have a cry. The 1st ever Grand Final played outside Melbourne was won by a Victorian team in an all Victorian Grand Final. Gee you wouldnt possibly want another Vic team taking it out this year surely.

I hope Melbourne wins it, it will be the most fantastic exhilarating experience for their supporters to watch it on tv & see all the celebrations at home. Glorious

 

[Coach_Required]

I hope Melbourne wins it, it will be the most fantastic exhilarating experience for their supporters to watch it on tv & see all the celebrations at home. Glorious

See you get it. It's irrelevant where its played.

Go the Dees

 

[HPKS]

See you get it. It's irrelevant where its played.

Go the Dees

Yep be great for them to watch the drought breaker on tv from the other side of the country listening to salubrious voices of BT, Darce, Lingy & Duck. was going to say it would be great for them to get friends around to make an occasion of it but oh not to be.

 

[Drewie11]

It's such an unfair advantage to the Victorian clubs to have the grand final at the MCG

How did the inter state clubs fair last year when they had home ground advantages across the whole year?

By that rationale how come Melbourne teams don’t win it every time they’re in it. Seriously how dumb is your logic and thinking

 

[Farang83150]

It was actually me if you scroll up. I can confirm that in the context of a discussion about an AFL Grand Final, I meant stadiums that can host above 60k at an AFL game.
Flemington Racecourse can fit 120,000 but not sure it would be a suitable venue for an AFL Grand Final.

Ok well there's no change then because OPTUS can hold above 60,000, wether it has or not for an AFL game to date is irrelevant, it CAN hold more than 60,000 and that's what you asked.

 

[00Stinger]

By that rationale how come Melbourne teams don’t win it every time they’re in it. Seriously how dumb is your logic and thinking

huh?

I'm saying the advantage isn't as big as people make it out to be, the best teams win where ever

 

[doppleganger]

In what deluded world is it not a benefit to play an extra game or two on the ground that will host the GFs?

Typical Victorian oh look how disadvantaged we are response meanwhile you only leave the state 4/5 times a year... if that. Yes we feel so bad for Collingwood that gets too play 15 games a year at the MCG because the can’t play down the road where they did 30 years ago

To establish that you need to determine what creates the advantage / disadvantage, and what stays the same in a regular H&A game v the GF.

What benefit do you think Port will get from playing 2 H&A games at the G to help with GF?

Will it help routine? Nup, GF routine is different to H&A.
Will it help with atmosphere? Nope, playing in front of 15k doesn't replicate 100k

If you are playing away, you are already preparing yourself with hotels and travel.

And yes, Collingwood used to benefit from training on the ground we played at, and having 30k rabid Collingwood ferals jammed in to create the intimidating environment. That is lost at the G when the ground is 2/3 empty.

And again, Collingwood playing 15 games at the G each year should result in great performance on GF day shouldn't it?? Hasn't helped us?

 

[Bearded Clam]

The only thing worse than those West End ads is the beer itself.

VB?… probably the worst beer I’ve ever tasted.. west end is even better than it.. and thats saying something..

 

[LightTower4]

Yep be great for them to watch the drought breaker on tv from the other side of the country listening to salubrious voices of BT, Darce, Lingy & Duck. was going to say it would be great for them to get friends around to make an occasion of it but oh not to be.

Don't have to listen to the C7 commentary, thankfully.

 

[doppleganger]

So, you mean like any GF played at the MCG then?

35k split between club members.
Another 15k go to AFL where gold club members also prioritised.
So roughly 45k fans who are members of competing clubs get access to cost price ticket.
What other stadiums will match that??

You do need to account for the 5k that AFL gives to competing clubs (families, staff, past players, sponsors).

Another 5k-10k that goes to other clubs, AFL life members etc.

And that is before you get to the corporate sponsors etc.

If you go to a 40k stadium, gets which group will cop it in the ass...yep the club members.

 

[Papa G]

35k split between club members.
Another 15k go to AFL where gold club members also prioritised.
So roughly 45k fans who are members of competing clubs get access to cost price ticket.
What other stadiums will match that??

You do need to account for the 5k that AFL gives to competing clubs (families, staff, past players, sponsors).

Another 5k-10k that goes to other clubs, AFL life members etc.

And that is before you get to the corporate sponsors etc.

If you go to a 40k stadium, gets which group will cop it in the ass...yep the club members.

Nah MCC and AFL members. That's who'll miss out. And they can GAGF too. Absolute leeches. 45 games a year (plus cricket for the MCG) plus finals for what $600? What an absolute sham.

Footy's biggest day: how the tickets are allocated

Not all memberships will guarantee you a ticket to the AFL grand final. Here's how the seats are allocated.

www.smh.com.au