Geelong declares desire to host home final against interstate club

[Tugga27]

From today's HS.

Geelong has officially stated its case to the AFL that it should host a home final against any interstate opponent in September.
The Cats are sitting pretty in the top two, with positions three to eight on the ladder all filled by interstate teams entering Round 15.

Geelong isn’t keen to continue pushing the issue publicly all the way to September, but CEO Brian Cook said yesterday it had made its position to the AFL clear.
“We have had a chat to the AFL about it, we have presented our view and the case has been made public, and we think if we play an interstate side, we have earned the right to play against any interstate side,” he said.

AFL fixturing boss Travis Auld said earlier this month a range of factors would have to go Geelong’s way, including multiple Victorian finals in that week.

The league has obligations to AFL members and also wants to maximise its finals attendances, which have been excellent in recent years.
The Cats’ main hope of a home final at the 34,000-seat capacity GMHBA Stadium would seem to be playing GWS given its smaller band of travelling fans.

 

[FKASC]

Dogs

 

[The_Reaper]

Geelong should play all home games, including finals in Geelong

 

[Truckosaurus]

Either play any club there or play no clubs there. Typical AFL, one rule for some and another for the rest.

 

[Dazzler9]

Why just interstate teams? It should be all teams. Crowd attendances be damned. You can't have different rules based on where a team comes from ffs.

 

[new breed]

If they do play at GMBCFDEM then the prices the AFL charge would be double just for the AFL to break even .

 

[Truckosaurus]

I mean it's equally ridiculous for Geelong that their right to host a true home final is compromised by the performance of teams below them on the ladder.

 

[Shuestar13]

The sense of entitlement that club has is sickening. They do “want” to play all their home matches in Geelong (supposedly), but obviously in order to be able to play the big Melbourne teams there, they would need to redevelop the ground even more. That would involve putting their hand out for more money as they sure as hell cant pay for it themselves.

So they happily play a few home matches in Melbourne. And yet turn around and complain when they can’t play those same teams there in a final.

Of course now it is only an “interstate” side they want to play at KP in a final. Ignoring the fact that Adelaide, Sydney and even possibly us and Brisbane would bring enough supporters to exceed capacity.
What a joke. As stated, it appears one rule for some, one rule for others.

 

[Priddis Is Done]

Ha ha ha hope they draw Collingwood...

Then let's see where it gets played.

Go F*** Yoself

 

[new breed]

Could easily be us though ...brace yourself .

 

[FatPizza]

I think fair enough, providing it's any team and not just interstate ones.

 

[ShaunWCEFC]

Ha ha ha hope they draw Collingwood...

Then let's see where it gets played.

Go F*** Yoself

Hope they lose to Collingwood in Qualifyer and lose to Richmond in Semi. Straight sets mother f***er

 

[amazingjoshy]

Either play any club there or play no clubs there. Typical AFL, one rule for some and another for the rest.

you're completely correct of course, but this is the AFL and this was always going to happen. They 100% will get it at KP if a non-Vic team finishes 4th.

Is why the Giants losing on Thursday was excellent for us (providing we win today)

 

[Wedgetailed Westerner]

Collingwood West Coast Grand FInal Again. * YEah!!!!

 

[new breed]

Opposition team should get an allocation of tickets ~5k ( Edit 50/50 ticket chances anyway ) .Problem with Geelong getting home finals is the size of the stadium plus not located in the capital city of Victoria compared to Perth / Adelaide / Sydney ....more difficult to access for opposition and AFL fans .

We just gotta take it on like Ross says anywhere , anytime .

 

[ep2018]

Seems fair. AFL will meet half way though imo. They will get a QF in Geelong if they play a non Vic team. But any subsequent home final will be at the MCG.

 

[ziad]

Freo should play at cockburn
GWS?
GC?

 

[WCErevival]

Who cares. It's their home ground.

 

[Brave Sir Robin]

Geelong should play all home games, including finals in Geelong

I agree and I've been pretty vocal before that this should be the case.

It gets murky though because Geelong are very willing to use the Melbourne venues as a home ground to increase their membership numbers and get more games at the MCG. They weaken their own case for exclusively hosting finals at their home ground when they are quite happy to adopt the MCG as one of their home grounds.

The AFL will probably accede to their request out of expediency which is the worst outcome possible. At this point 'well what the * are you going to do about it?' corruption is standard for the AFL.

"AFL Finals: Melbourne teams this way, interstate teams enter via Geelong."

 

[ZergMinion]

We'd be advocating for the same in their situation. The AFL's pursuit of the almighty dollar is the problem here, not Geelong.

Can't blame them for wanting to win a flag.

 

[whatis]

I actually disagree with most on here it seems. If there is a bigger - and let's face it, better - stadium available down the road, then I think that they should play there. Not doing so they are actually locking their own fans out as much as opposition fans. Everyone wants to attend a final.

But whatever, just standard Geelong. Despicable club wants to lock fans out of attending one of the biggest matches they play in.

 

[TheGhostOfJohnBelushi]

AFAIC they have 2 home grounds. Finals get played at the higher capacity ground unless it is unavailable. Much like Sydney had to play at ANZ.

They should fix their H&A scheduling before worrying about finals.

 

[Rowan18]

From today's HS.

Geelong has officially stated its case to the AFL that it should host a home final against any interstate opponent in September.
The Cats are sitting pretty in the top two, with positions three to eight on the ladder all filled by interstate teams entering Round 15.

Geelong isn’t keen to continue pushing the issue publicly all the way to September, but CEO Brian Cook said yesterday it had made its position to the AFL clear.
“We have had a chat to the AFL about it, we have presented our view and the case has been made public, and we think if we play an interstate side, we have earned the right to play against any interstate side,” he said.

AFL fixturing boss Travis Auld said earlier this month a range of factors would have to go Geelong’s way, including multiple Victorian finals in that week.

The league has obligations to AFL members and also wants to maximise its finals attendances, which have been excellent in recent years.
The Cats’ main hope of a home final at the 34,000-seat capacity GMHBA Stadium would seem to be playing GWS given its smaller band of travelling fans.

I reckon we finish third, pies second and GWS fourth. This will give Geelong a home final as they'll have a big MCG final with Pies v Eagles. If we finish second and there are only two vic teams in top 8, then Geelong can kiss their final goodbye.

It would be amazing if GWS beat them again at home. That would mean they also lost their only other home final in 2013 against Freo. Wonder if they'll still cry about home finals if that happens?

 

[HoneyBadger35]

One rule for Victorians and another rule for non-Victorians, yet again.

Geelong should be free to host their home finals whenever they want, regardless of opponent.

 

[Balls In]

I think fair enough, providing it's any team and not just interstate ones.

Agreed but it would blow the justification for MCG grandfinals right out the water if they allow a final at a suburban ground with a third of the MCGs capacity.