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

[Rich01]

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......

Agree with you 100%.
It was given to the MCG for the equivalent of a pittance.

But the fact is other state governments refuse to pay any cash for hosting the GF, as was shown last year by the WA government. NSW, QLD, SA, WA and Tas state govts buying out that contract would be minuscule in their overall budgets. But there isn’t a whisper that is even on their radar and as a result have let down their AFL fans.

 

[Papa G]

Agree with you 100%.
It was given to the MCG for the equivalent of a pittance.

But the fact is other state governments refuse to pay any cash for hosting the GF, as was shown last year by the WA government. NSW, QLD, SA, WA and Tas state govts buying out that contract would be minuscule in their overall budgets. But there isn’t a whisper that is even on their radar and as a result have let down their AFL fans.

How much has WA supposedly given for this years GF? How much did Brisbane give last year?

 

[Rich01]

How much has WA supposedly given for this years GF? How much did Brisbane give last year?

I haven’t seen any figure given. Have you?

 

[Papa G]

I haven’t seen any figure given. Have you?

Not that I recall. Thought I saw an headline a couple of days ago in the Murdoch press but I don't subscribe so couldn't read.

 

[Rich01]

Not that I recall. Thought I saw an headline a couple of days ago in the Murdoch press but I don't subscribe so couldn't read.

If the state governments were as passionate as you are about the subject I’m sure they would have looked to have tried to buy out the MCG contract. As the OP states, it’s a minuscule amount over the time period. Especially considering five states would contribute to that amount to have it rotated.

Obviously it’s not enough of an issue to win votes.

I can understand why non Vic residents would be disappointed with this, but their anger should be directed at their state representatives who could impact the change but have shown no interest in it.

 

[HPKS]

Agree with you 100%.
It was given to the MCG for the equivalent of a pittance.

But the fact is other state governments refuse to pay any cash for hosting the GF, as was shown last year by the WA government. NSW, QLD, SA, WA and Tas state govts buying out that contract would be minuscule in their overall budgets. But there isn’t a whisper that is even on their radar and as a result have let down their AFL fans.

When the contract was getting renewed those governments were never given the opportunity to bid for the contract. Or the chance to add in money to upgrade their states facilities. The AFL completely failed the National game on finances, growing the game & club members.

It’s all about to be laid out bare for everyone to see in a few week this bs that only Melbourne can put on grand final week. Sadly we’ll never see a truly magnificent spectacle like that again until 2060. We’re stuck with the old relic after this year.

 

[Paul Kersey]

I'm a Victorian and I think it is horseshit. I think the GF should be played in Vic, SA and WA on a rotating basis (could be 2 or 3 Vic and 1 interstate). Seating capacity is rubbish too - if it is at Adelaide Oval it just means less tickets for theatre goers who don't give a **** about football. Doubt it makes much difference to the bottom line.

 

[steve4445]

with people talking about the ground size, if you take the number of tickets the competing clubs get in their allocation then any of those grounds listed in the op could hold that number - lets not pretend like we are denying real fans of competing clubs the opportunity to go.

 

[Rich01]

When the contract was getting renewed those governments were never given the opportunity to bid for the contract. Or the chance to add in money to upgrade their states facilities. The AFL completely failed the National game on finances, growing the game & club members.

It’s all about to be laid out bare for everyone to see in a few week this bs that only Melbourne can put on grand final week. Sadly we’ll never see a truly magnificent spectacle like that again until 2060. We’re stuck with the old relic after this year.

Agree with your statement 100%.
No transparency in the process was terrible from the AFL (but also great negotiating from the Vic govt).

However, there is nothing to stop the states from addressing this now (yes a contract can be re-negotiated or bought out).

Whinging about it being unfair is the premise of this thread for many, which is fine and justified. But what also should be under scrutiny is why there is inaction from those that can help remedy the situation for every states residents. It’s not incumbent on the AFL or Vic State govt to make a change. It’s the other state governments. Constituents should be demanding they act and are accountable. Otherwise they are just yelling at clouds.

 

[HPKS]

I'm a Victorian and I think it is horseshit. I think the GF should be played in Vic, SA and WA on a rotating basis (could be 2 or 3 Vic and 1 interstate). Seating capacity is rubbish too - if it is at Adelaide Oval it just means less tickets for theatre goers who don't give a fu** about football. Doubt it makes much difference to the bottom line.

Yearly tender imo with the proviso of no state can hold it anymore than the one year, never two years in a row unless No1 tenders default back to mcg. No extras or stadium members. Just club members.

 

[HPKS]

Agree with your statement 100%.
No transparency in the process was terrible from the AFL (but also great negotiating from the Vic govt).

However, there is nothing to stop the states from addressing this now (yes a contract can be re-negotiated or bought out).

Whinging about it being unfair is the premise of this thread for many, which is fine and justified. But what also should be under scrutiny is why there is inaction from those that can help remedy the situation for every states residents. It’s not incumbent on the AFL or Vic State govt to make a change. It’s the other state governments. Constituents should be demanding they act and are accountable. Otherwise they are just yelling at clouds.

Why? They weren’t given the opportunity before in what world do you think they’ll get a look in now. There’s no way the vicco state government are letting go of the Mercedes they bought for the price of a Camry that’ll make them way more than they ever paid to start with. Its joke you know it and it doesn’t matter how you dress it up.

Oh btw get ready for the best presentation of a grand final we’ll see in our lifetime.

 

[blackus]

Agree with your statement 100%.
No transparency in the process was terrible from the AFL (but also great negotiating from the Vic govt).

However, there is nothing to stop the states from addressing this now (yes a contract can be re-negotiated or bought out).

Whinging about it being unfair is the premise of this thread for many, which is fine and justified. But what also should be under scrutiny is why there is inaction from those that can help remedy the situation for every states residents. It’s not incumbent on the AFL or Vic State govt to make a change. It’s the other state governments. Constituents should be demanding they act and are accountable. Otherwise they are just yelling at clouds.

Dont forget the Melbourne clubs got a raw deal as well on the MCG agreement, they would be so far better off $$$wise if they had done the tender process properly in first place. Just as an aside - The AFL contributed nothing financially to the Optus Oval build, yet threw $5m at Adelaide Oval (pittance really) and the expansion grounds. yet the AFL will have no hesitation in pocketing the profits from the finals played at Optus. And you wonder why the non victorian football followers feel totally let down.

 

[Rich01]

Why? They weren’t given the opportunity before in what world do you think they’ll get a look in now.

State politics is all about posturing.

Even asking the question knowing the answer will be no will show that the govt is standing up to try to do what is right for their constituents.

Obviously there is more leverage in them telling them they are being hard done by and having an ‘us against them’ mentality. It’s smart politics and a great tool used to persuade the mindless masses.

By the way, I personally think if the five states went to the AFL with an offer double that to the existing contract (still tiny in the scheme of things) and divided it up over the fives states, in the current climate, the AFL would need to review and public groundswell may even convince them to move on it.

A moot point though, as the state govts obviously don’t see the value in it.

 

[LightTower4]

Why? They weren’t given the opportunity before in what world do you think they’ll get a look in now. There’s no way the vicco state government are letting go of the Mercedes they bought for the price of a Camry that’ll make them way more than they ever paid to start with. Its joke you know it and it doesn’t matter how you dress it up.

Oh btw get ready for the best presentation of a grand final we’ll see in our lifetime.

At the Olympics, do you just watch for the Opening Ceremony and don't give a toss about the sports being played?

 

[Atomboy]

Agree with you 100%.
It was given to the MCG for the equivalent of a pittance.

But the fact is other state governments refuse to pay any cash for hosting the GF, as was shown last year by the WA government. NSW, QLD, SA, WA and Tas state govts buying out that contract would be minuscule in their overall budgets. But there isn’t a whisper that is even on their radar and as a result have let down their AFL fans.

When were other grounds and/or state governments given the opportunity to bid for the Grand Final again ?.

I assumed it was the usual backroom deal done to benefit the Victorian football mafia or did I miss the public tender document ?.

 

[Papa G]

I'm a Victorian and I think it is horseshit. I think the GF should be played in Vic, SA and WA on a rotating basis (could be 2 or 3 Vic and 1 interstate). Seating capacity is rubbish too - if it is at Adelaide Oval it just means less tickets for theatre goers who don't give a fu** about football. Doubt it makes much difference to the bottom line.

Since 1988, there has been 1 x 100,000 plus Super Bowl crowds, 1 x 90k plus, 1 x 80k plus and 6 x 60k plus and 22 mainly low 70k crowds.

This in the country that lives by the moto "Bigger is Better".

 

[wedgetail]

You joined our league

this is undeniable. Michevious trickery was at play in the 80s that lead to this outcome and it was unfortunate that certain big players in Perth back then got suckered (bribed) into it. There were better and more equitable pathways to a national league but that is all moot. It is what it is.

What is more telling is how the Victorians then fared as custodians of the game and our overlords moving forward. The answer is abysmally. Self centred, self aggrandising, unwilling to make any self sacrifices for the betterment of the game as a whole. Constantly working the system for self promotion and self betterment. Why when the GF was being stitched up for half a century was the whole thing centred around upgrades for one ground? Why not share the love around the league and help every one build a stadium? Where was our guaranteed finals to help finance optus? Or adelaides?

Never has there been such massive mismanagement go unchecked given the 'independant' guardians of the league are just as much snouts in the giant trough as anyone.

 

[Paul Kersey]

Since 1988, there has been 1 x 100,000 plus Super Bowl crowds, 1 x 90k plus, 1 x 80k plus and 6 x 60k plus and 22 mainly low 70k crowds.

This in the country that lives by the moto "Bigger is Better".

Yep - know exactly how the NFL run things. Be surprised if the soccer leagues in Europe have many stadiums that fit over 50K too.

 

[Rob]

MCC members I'll concede, but any long term deal involving rotating the GF would include a large portion of the stadium allocated to AFL members. It's literally just a cordoned off section of the MCG, wouldn't need any extra facilities.

Easy solution to that - abolish AFL membership.

 

[HTT]

Easy solution to that - abolish AFL membership.

Either way the target set by the MCG is 75k.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

I love the MCG and its a great place and a national treasure in my view. I also love the idea of the GF there and the whole experience going to Melbourne for the weekend or longer is fantastic.
The only thing I would change is ticketing when a non Vic side plays a Vic side on GF day. At the moment both competing clubs get 16k tickets each but as it is in Melbourne the local Vic side ends up with all of its supporters there somehow and this makes it a huge advantage to them. If the Non vic side finishes the year higher and is the highest qualifier for the GF then they should be allocated a minimum of 35k tickets to the game for their members and supporters. the Vic club gets the std 16k knowing that the locals will pick up plenty. This will even the crowd out and get the game closer to a neutral contest.

The GF in Perth will be awesome I have no doubt about that. We will put on a hell of a show, but the G is the G and if they could fix the tickets up it's the perfect venue.

 

[Rob]

Either way the target set by the MCG is 75k.

Yeah I agree.

I certainly don't have a problem with the AFL having minimum standards, including capacity. But by locking it away for decades in a secret deal done behind closed doors it doesn't even allow for that.

 

[RUNVS]

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.

Lets not pretend here. Even if Perth had a 100,000 seat stadium Melbourne would still not give up the Grand Final.

 

[wedgetail]

Lets not pretend here. Even if Perth had a 100,000 seat stadium Melbourne would still not give up the Grand Final.

If there was a chance that we could host the GF for 50 years we would have built a 100k stadium.

But that deal is only for Victorians.

 

[The 747]

this is undeniable. Michevious trickery was at play in the 80s that lead to this outcome and it was unfortunate that certain big players in Perth back then got suckered (bribed) into it. There were better and more equitable pathways to a national league but that is all moot. It is what it is.

What is more telling is how the Victorians then fared as custodians of the game and our overlords moving forward. The answer is abysmally. Self centred, self aggrandising, unwilling to make any self sacrifices for the betterment of the game as a whole. Constantly working the system for self promotion and self betterment. Why when the GF was being stitched up for half a century was the whole thing centred around upgrades for one ground? Why not share the love around the league and help every one build a stadium? Where was our guaranteed finals to help finance optus? Or adelaides?

Never has there been such massive mismanagement go unchecked given the 'independant' guardians of the league are just as much snouts in the giant trough as anyone.

Considerably better than any other sport in Australia, and the AFL is not "Victorians". The CEO is from SA, the Chairman is from WA (although I understand they apparently count as Victorians now).

Like many Victorians I am not really a fan of the GF deal and hopefully it gets revisited. Should be rotated between the participating states.