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

[master bate]

It sounds like the MCG has been built to be too big to make it financially viable to maintain and operate. The MCC needs the allure of access to the AFL grand final to convince people to get MCC memberships to help their revenue streams.

I understand the MCC has a massive wait list now, but how big was that wait list before the VFL became the AFL?

There was suggestions before Optus Stadium was built that it should be bigger (70,000-80,000), but then it would have cost more to build, and more to operate and maintain. But why increase the financial strain? It sells out for Eagles games and other National events but it results in a massive atmosphere.

Meanwhile, whilst the MCG reaches that magical figure of 100,000, it only sells out once a year, and needs this AFL/MCC/VIC contract to keep it afloat.

Without the contract would the MCC refuse to upgrade their own facilities? Would they perhaps reduce the capacity to something that is more manageable?

Without the Grand Final it certainly wouldn't be 100k but I think the biggest factor for the expansion of the MCG and power of the MCC is ground rationalisation and 4 Melburnian teams being based out of the G, plus big games with non tenant clubs being held at the G - for practical reasons.

The MCG has 45 home and away games plus always a few (non grand) finals. Compared with Perth and Adelaide only being locked in for 22. That's a big difference.

The MCG also gets the boxing day test, because it has the capacity for it. The other states don't and also don't get near the attendance for test cricket - mostly because a lot of their days occur on work days.

Melbourne is nearly 2.5 times Perth's population and close to 4 times Adelaide. At the end of the day that's a huge part of the reason why we've got the big stadium for the big events.

 

[Kwality]

There's an argument that the current SCG and Gabba facilities are old and outdated. That and their lower capacity, some say, should render them ineligible for the GF.

But we all know the Gabba will be demolished and rebuilt for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic games. So until then, why not a contract that goes:

22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 MCG
23, 27, 31 Adelaide Oval
25, 29, 33 Optus

The new Gabba can host a GF in 2035, and then maybe Sydney gets one in 2037 if they upgrade or rebuild.

You'd have to pay out the current contract, though. Come on, Twiggy.

What are the requirements for the GF location - the argument that the location is earned as are other finals OR the size of the crowd that can attend?

Just having the current arrangement demonstrates the sleazy decision making overseen by Messrs Goyder & McLachlan, and shines a light on those running interference on the discussion.

 

[Kwality]

Without the Grand Final it certainly wouldn't be 100k but I think the biggest factor for the expansion of the MCG and power of the MCC is ground rationalisation and 4 Melburnian teams being based out of the G, plus big games with non tenant clubs being held at the G - for practical reasons.

The MCG has 45 home and away games plus always a few (non grand) finals. Compared with Perth and Adelaide only being locked in for 22. That's a big difference.

The MCG also gets the boxing day test, because it has the capacity for it. The other states don't and also don't get near the attendance for test cricket - mostly because a lot of their days occur on work days.

Melbourne is nearly 2.5 times Perth's population and close to 4 times Adelaide. At the end of the day that's a huge part of the reason why we've got the big stadium for the big events.

There is nothing sacred about 100k & a full MCG rocks just as North Hobart Oval does when its full. The venue is a big plus for a big crowd.

 

[E92_]

Nothing special?

What a boring campaigner you must be.

Yeah, alright.

I think you may be shocked to learn that there's more to the world than what's inside Melbourne.

 

[Shane Heard]

Yeah, alright.

I think you may be shocked to learn that there's more to the world than what's inside Melbourne.

Well I’m here to tell you that Melbourne (the MCG) is the Vatican of football.

The big show should be at the G..always

 

[Shane Heard]

There is nothing sacred about 100k & a full MCG rocks just as North Hobart Oval does when its full. The venue is a big plus for a big crowd.

Reminds me of the good old days in the 70s watching my cousin play at Airport West FC with a capacity crowd of 208

 

[What else we can do]

The club who wins the minor premiership should host the Grand Final. If they get knocked out it stays there.

 

[Appin Vet]

In the AFL era

South Australia 3 - 4 Victoria
West Australia 1 - 2 Victoria

am I meant to cower in fear at you?

Maybe we'll go back a little further, 1983-present

South Australia 8-6 Victoria
South Australia 7-5 West Australia
Victoria 7-4 West Australia

hmmmmm

The game is older than 1983-present. Also... nobody gives an ingrown shit what the tally is between SA V WA. Still too far West of the SA eastern border for us Vics to give a toss. GAFO and start your own league. Or your own country.
Sucked in!

 

[Bunk Moreland]

The "You joined our League" is the argument you make when you don't have an argument.

Corruption is not the Australian way.

Its 2021 dude. Corruption is THE Australian way. Corruption is absolutely rife in big business and politics.

And there’s far, far worse results than where a game of footy is played.

It’s basically just one big game where big business and politicians hand our money to each other no matter what the consequences. And I mean no. matter. what.

Its got exponentially worse over the past decade. Another few decades like this and we’ll genuinely resemble some South American or African shithole.

 

[Blackhawk42]

There have been 17 Grand Finals played between a Victorian team and an interstate team since 1990 (at the MCG, not including 1991).

Sides from outside Vic have won 8.

So basically half.

It's literally 50/50 statistically. Is there really an unfair advantage if the result is a coin toss over 30 years?

 

[PerthblueGold]

Come back when you have a 100,000 seat stadium that you can fill every year for it.

Or, by the way, a stadium that can take those numbers you’re listing for the big games. Because right now Richmond have 100k members, Collingwood have around that, Carlton have 80k.

The benefits of having a huge supporter base for the code in Melbourne.

THE 100K stadium argument is a furphy...all the AFL has to do is increase the ticket prices for the GF at other grounds to match what receipts would be from the MCG....

 

[Coolangatta]

The club who wins the minor premiership should host the Grand Final. If they get knocked out it stays there.

Do you think GWS and the Suns would elect to host their grand final at their home grounds or home state? Would they want to potentially play a "home" grand final against their interstate rivals on their home grounds?

 

[bh90210fan]

There have been 17 Grand Finals played between a Victorian team and an interstate team since 1990 (at the MCG, not including 1991).

Sides from outside Vic have won 8.

So basically half.

It's literally 50/50 statistically. Is there really an unfair advantage if the result is a coin toss over 30 years?

It got you over the line in ‘17, so yes

 

[Blackhawk42]

It got you over the line in ‘17, so yes

We finished 12th.

 

[bh90210fan]

We finished 12th.

Oops

 

[Coolangatta]

Yeah, if Adelaide-Richmond 17 GF was at AO, I doubt the Tigers would've won.

 

[LoungeLizard]

Yeah, if Adelaide-Richmond 17 GF was at AO, I doubt the Tigers would've won.

We can all play this game.

The leg ups intestate teams get, gets them into GF's.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

C'mon guys how many times does it need to be said, the clubs in that tiny SE corner need the GF there.
Like they needed an inquiry into why they couldn't compete with the National clubs in their own league..lol
Like they awarded some local random bush league chick into the HOF before the real pioneer of women's football Erin Phillips retires, just so it was one of theirs and not one of ours.
They talk big but their actions betray them as fragile.

 

[What else we can do]

Do you think GWS and the Suns would elect to host their grand final at their home grounds or home state? Would they want to potentially play a "home" grand final against their interstate rivals on their home grounds?

I think the Giants should play the Swans at ANZ stadium and the Suns vs Lions at Metricon.

 

[LoungeLizard]

C'mon guys how many times does it need to be said, the clubs in that tiny SE corner need the GF there.
Like they needed an inquiry into why they couldn't compete with the National clubs in their own league..lol
Like they awarded some local random bush league chick into the HOF before the real pioneer of women's football Erin Phillips retires, just so it was one of theirs and not one of ours.
They talk big but their actions betray them as fragile.

And we make threads like this because of how fragile we are LMFAO.

 

[Coolangatta]

We can all play this game.

The leg ups intestate teams get, gets them into GF's.

Yeah, but the neutral games Victorian sides play against each other gets cancelled out by the less amount of travelling they have to do, but it's disputable whether the travel advantage is greater than the ground advantage or not.

The fairest fixture would be all Victorian sides playing the interstate sides twice and two neutral games each between teams from the same state, but that's never going to happen because you'd miss out on Carlton playing one of Collingwood, Richmond, Hawthorn etc., unless they meet in finals.

 

[LoungeLizard]

Yeah, but the neutral games Victorian sides play against each other gets cancelled out by the less amount of travelling they have to do, but it's disputable whether the travel advantage is greater than the ground advantage or not.

The fairest fixture would be all Victorian sides playing the interstate sides twice and two neutral games each between teams from the same state, but that's never going to happen because you'd miss out on Carlton playing one of Collingwood, Richmond, Hawthorn etc., unless they meet in finals.

It's been done to death, it's proven you get HGA, for instance, no Vic club gets 11 home games at their home ground, eg. Collingwood play 2 home games per year at Disney stadium, 1 v a Disney tenant.

 

[PenfoldsFan]

And we make threads like this because of how fragile we are LMFAO.

LOL, we probably are fragile, but we haven't held an inquiry into our shitness..

 

[Dan26]

There have been 17 Grand Finals played between a Victorian team and an interstate team since 1990 (at the MCG, not including 1991).

Sides from outside Vic have won 8.

So basically half.

It's literally 50/50 statistically. Is there really an unfair advantage if the result is a coin toss over 30 years?

There is no disadvantage at all on Grand Final day. The crowd is often 50-50, or close to it. The travelling team (if there is one) has arrived for a few days and has participated in the parade.

It's the biggest venue, that can accomodate the most people. It's clearly the most appropriate venue for the Grand Final.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

It's been done to death, it's proven you get HGA, for instance, no Vic club gets 11 home games at their home ground, eg. Collingwood play 2 home games per year at Disney stadium, 1 v a Disney tenant.

Do you think it’s harder for. Vic side to win a flag or a non vic side? I am not talking making the GF I am talking winning the Flag. I think it’s very hard for all clubs but I honestly believe it’s a tad easier being a Victorian club than a non Vic club. The travel simply must take some toll?