Can someone tell me why we can't just move the GF to the first weekend in October?
I know cricket starts there season / contract then but surely an agreement could be made with Cricket Victoria to have the Bushrangers playing away the first round.
Thats the whole trouble. If the players get their way for two byes, and the MCC do not back down and we keep Tiges v Carl at the G, the GF will have to be the second week in October and if by chance their was a draw, the ground wouldnt be ready to prepare the wicket until the last week in October, and the MCC will never allow that
Its a double bluff from the AFL, and now Cricket Victoria using it to push for their own center of excellence.
At the end of the day i think Vlad would hold firm, as he always get his way. And to back his point and make himself feel justified the game would still be a sell out with massive build-up and anticipation, and the fact the Tiges v Saints last Friday night had the second highest ratings for a home and away in TV history, and a billion dollar plus TV rights deal is more important than 30-40k at the venue for just the one game (For AFL number crunchers).
Its wrong as it has to be at the G, but unfortunately what Vlad wants, Vlad gets.
Im tipping the game will stay at the G, their will still be one bye, and the Junction Oval will be revamped as the new home of CV, and they will then ok the change in 2014 for the early start to accommodate the 2nd bye. It will take two years but it will be a win, win, win for everyone.