Essendon's Home Ground

[Tassieboy]

Does anyone know anything about how long our deal is with Etihad Stadium? Surely we will soon have more members than what the stadium seats. Is there a chance over the coming couple of years we can move back to the MCG? I certaintly hope so.

I'm sure we could draw another 10k to most of our games at the MCG and I don't think finances are very different to Etihad. Although we may be short of victories

 

[dave_27]

Honestly I'd love every home game at the MCG but the reality is we are stuck with Etihad Stadium for the next 10 years as our home but I do think the AFL could perhaps help us with the type of home games scheduled.

To me the following HOME games are perfect for Etihad:

Essendon v North
Essendon v St K
Essendon v WB
= Etihad

IF we could drop a home game at Etihad to the MCG and ensure the below fixtured HOME games are always at the G I could deal with it:

Essendon v Haw
Essendon v Melb
Essendon v Geel
= MCG

 

[Bombermania]

I'm going to go against the tide and say that I prefer Etihad.

The only time I really like the MCG is when we play the Pies because it is the only time that I really hear the Bomber crowd.

Night matches at the G are not great but I put this partly down to the coldness of the ground, it is dark and dingy with all the old gray cement

The food courts at Etihad are also better than the G.

Generally I am referring too the Great Southern Stand

 

[ant555]

Personally i think we have the balance right. Do not mind either venue and prefer the Dome on the colder winter days and nights.

Home games at the dome when we have 40,000 plus crowds that are 60% Essendon have just as much atmosphere as MCG games other than Anzac Day or the 80,000 plus games.

 

[stay true]

Yeah those cold winter nights are not nice and for that I prefer the Dome for night games. Throw in the fact it's easier to travel to for me. I hate sitting in the Southern Stand ever since the redevelopment. Feels too encolsed, dark, cold and dirty. Always sit in the Ponny or Olympic. There's been same great atmospheres at our home games at the Dome in the past too thanks to how much we outnumber opposition fans.

Aren't we stuck with Etihad until 2030 or something anyway?

 

[Darealrath]

IF we could drop a home game at Etihad to the MCG and ensure the below fixtured HOME games are always at the G I could deal with it:

Essendon v Haw
Essendon v Melb
Essendon v Geel
= MCG

Agree. It is especially weird playing Melbourne at the dome.

 

[yaco55]

Think we have a contract at etihad until 2020 or 2025.

 

[Clark G]

End of 2024.

 

[Phone]

And an extra 10K people at the G compared to the Dome may not net us more money....we've got a very good deal there iirc. And this is a business.

 

[AtomicBlonde]

Initially, I hated going to the Dome to watch us play. I mean even the first few concerts that were staged there sounded terrible (Babs and Ultimate Rock Orchestra). But the night that changed my mind was the '04 clash with the Eagles, the noise was deafening and the roof just seemed to add to the overall electric atmosphere.

I am now a big fan of the Dome and hope we stay there for good. We get enough matches at the G and as the side improves we will start to chalk up more wins there again (much like the interstate situation).

 

[Tassieboy]

I must say i do agree about mcg atmosphere - 65k against hawks last year and only the odd roar, compared to games I've been to at the dome.

 

[pepsi]

For me the Docklands feels like a home ground for us. We play well there, create a good atmosphere and outnumber opposition fans by a fair way. We have the best deal at the stadium of all current tenants , it is easy to get to, great amenities and facilities, excellent vantage point from 95% of the seats, the surface has improved a lot and even in the short history that we have there we have had some memorable moments and wins. The win against WCE, Geelong, St.k, Moorcroft's mark.

 

[Phone]

I must say i do agree about mcg atmosphere - 65k against hawks last year and only the odd roar, compared to games I've been to at the dome.

Well see this for why that is.

 

[LeeARM]

I prefer small games at Etihad and big games at the MGC. Thankfully, that's what we have.
People say they love the atmosphere of the MCG but you wouldn't get that when we play teams like Gold Coast or Port Adelaide. The atmosphere at the G comes from playing teams like Carlton or Collingwood. While Etihad is feels a lot less empty when playing sides with a small Melbourne supporter base.

 

[Burzum]

Personally i think we have the balance right. Do not mind either venue and prefer the Dome on the colder winter days and nights.

Home games at the dome when we have 40,000 plus crowds that are 60% Essendon have just as much atmosphere as MCG games other than Anzac Day or the 80,000 plus games.

Agree.

 

[Clark G]

In a few years when we are dominating and Collingwood are down in the bottom half of the ladder, we will be the biggest team in the land. And the biggest team in the land should play at the biggest stadium - the MCG.

 

[whats_at_stake]

I think the club will look at changing the split from 7-4 to 6-5 if our attendances continue to rise.

 

[gopies1981]

In a few years when we are dominating and Collingwood are down in the bottom half of the ladder, we will be the biggest team in the land. And the biggest team in the land should play at the biggest stadium - the MCG.

Keep Dreaming Mate!

Collingwood are so much bigger then Essendon and Carlton it aint funny! Collingwood each year a getting bigger and bigger that they are actually making Essendon and Carlton Look like minows compared to the pies!

Since 2003 Collingwood have had more members then Essendon and since 2002 Collingwood have finished first in Attendnce every year baring 2004 when Essendon finished first!

and in 2011 Essendon and the Blues are so far behind Collingwood these stats prove my argument.

Membership 2011

Collingwood = 71,421
Essendon = 50,271.
Carlton = 43,214

Attendances After Round 17

Collingwood 939,648 Ave 62,643 (15 games)
Essendon 795,110 Ave 49,694 (16 games)
Carlton 789,977 Ave 49,374 (16 games)

 

[theboxmike]

Keep Dreaming Mate!

Collingwood are so much bigger then Essendon and Carlton it aint funny! Collingwood each year a getting bigger and bigger that they are actually making Essendon and Carlton Look like minows compared to the pies!

Since 2003 Collingwood have had more members then Essendon and since 2002 Collingwood have finished first in Attendnce every year baring 2004 when Essendon finished first!

and in 2011 Essendon and the Blues are so far behind Collingwood these stats prove my argument.

Membership 2011

Collingwood = 71,421
Essendon = 50,271.
Carlton = 43,214

Attendances After Round 17

Collingwood 939,648 Ave 62,643 (15 games)
Essendon 795,110 Ave 49,694 (16 games)
Carlton 789,977 Ave 49,374 (16 games)

Don't you think being successful in recent history, and being at the G has something to do with this?

Keep dreaming mate ill enjoy your excuses when we have 70,000 + members in a few years time.

 

[Burzum]

Keep Dreaming Mate!

Collingwood are so much bigger then Essendon and Carlton it aint funny! Collingwood each year a getting bigger and bigger that they are actually making Essendon and Carlton Look like minows compared to the pies!

Since 2003 Collingwood have had more members then Essendon and since 2002 Collingwood have finished first in Attendnce every year baring 2004 when Essendon finished first!

and in 2011 Essendon and the Blues are so far behind Collingwood these stats prove my argument.

Membership 2011

Collingwood = 71,421
Essendon = 50,271.
Carlton = 43,214

Attendances After Round 17

Collingwood 939,648 Ave 62,643 (15 games)
Essendon 795,110 Ave 49,694 (16 games)
Carlton 789,977 Ave 49,374 (16 games)

Geez, you're obsessed with this shit aren't you?

 

[Childish Gambino]

I like it the way it is at the moment.

Maybe increasing it to a 6/5 split but I like the comfort of Etihad in the winter.

Would be a pretty shit experience to go play Gold Coast at the G on a wet and cold winter day.

 

[daffo]

I prefer the MCG. I wish we would be playing nearly all our home games there. In saying that last year (or the year before) when we played Bris at the G as a home game I was pretty disapointed. That one should of been at the dome.

 

[ant555]

Keep Dreaming Mate!

Collingwood are so much bigger then Essendon and Carlton it aint funny! Collingwood each year a getting bigger and bigger that they are actually making Essendon and Carlton Look like minows compared to the pies!

Since 2003 Collingwood have had more members then Essendon and since 2002 Collingwood have finished first in Attendnce every year baring 2004 when Essendon finished first!

and in 2011 Essendon and the Blues are so far behind Collingwood these stats prove my argument.

Membership 2011

Collingwood = 71,421
Essendon = 50,271.
Carlton = 43,214

Attendances After Round 17

Collingwood 939,648 Ave 62,643 (15 games)
Essendon 795,110 Ave 49,694 (16 games)
Carlton 789,977 Ave 49,374 (16 games)

Nice ,you forgot to add 2 premierships in 50 years

 

[Aussie Assault]

Both have their positives from a fan perspective:

MCG:
-ground level at the G is un-rivaled in attending an AFL game. You feel a part of the whole experience sitting with all the other ferals, feeling the elements just as the players are, and most importantly the pie man still gives you direct seat-service!

Etihad:
-as a whole the stadium is made for better viewing no matter where you sit, and I'd much rather see/hear 53k supporters there filling it than 55k at the G like Richmond the other week.

Overall I'd prefer Etihad for both viewing and atmosphere, but like to see us play the Pies/Carlton at the G still. Couldnt care less for the rest of the clubs, especially when a team like the Dees play so poorly under the roof - why not use it as a proper home ground with an advantage?

 

[Jesse Custer]

Give me the MCG anytime. I think we need to go back there on a permanent basis as soon as possible.