Simmonds Stadium, Finals and Politics

[kidkenobi]

I think it is awesome that we get the opportunity to be the only team this century to beat Geelong in a final at their home ground, just wish I could get a ticket to see history in the making.

Why didn't you buy one?

 

[W.C. Fry]

According to your principle, it should not only apply to finals. So surely the home and away season should be treated exactly the same?

Be great to have the 'big' four down at the Cattery just like the ole days

I agree - those sides should have to play you occasionally at Simmonds - not every year but they should not be excluded from playing there. Wouldn't mind seeing them get sent to Tasmania either.

Do you whinge when WC and Freo get 2 derbies per season? Since Freo's admittance in 1995, WC and Freo have played each other twice in every single season. How does that work out?

Why do you think that happens, for the money?

The FIXture is already fixed enough. We don't need finals being fixed too. If you can't see the difference between home and away and finals then im sorry I can't help you.

Money maybe comes into it a little, but 95% of eagles games are sell outs anyway so it doesn't matter who we play. I would say allowing the 2 sides that travel the most to be able to have one away game in their home state every year would be the biggest factor. Take it away and im sure we would get some Victorian club crying about having to come over and play us when Freo should just do it.

 

[jim boy]

Why should Freo cop a final at Geelong when Collingwood never will?

The statement could equally read:

Why should Freo cop a final at Etihad when Collingwood never will?

The truth is that Freo doesn't want to play at Simonds because they are afraid of losing, no other reason.

 

[kidkenobi]

Either let Geelong host every final at their own ground or don't let them host at all. Picking and choosing which sides play is blatantly favouring one side over another. Its not the favouring of Geelong thats the problem - its the favouring of other sides who will never get sent there.

Why should Freo cop a final at Geelong when Collingwood never will? Crowd numbers? I would have hoped the AFL finals had more integrity than that.

If the AFL had this integrity you speak of, we'd have been playing our finals in Geelong for the last 100 years, not waiting till 2013 to play our first one.

You're arguing technicalities, because regardless of where Geelong play anyone else in finals, Fremantle playing in Geelong is not unfair. You're upset no one other team will be moved to Geelong, but that doesn't impact the basic concept of Geelong earning and hosting a home final.

 

[Jezzitizle]

Was the right decision to have the game in Geelong. Etihad is not the Cats home ground.

But the AFL saying that there would be more than enough tickets is rubbish, if a game sells out while most people are still at work (and therefore would have some limitations on being able to even have a look at buying tickets) then clearly there was not sufficient supply. Right result, wrong justification imo.

Anyway it will be 1000 times sweeter if Freo can knock Geelong off in Geelong than it would of been at Etihad where the cat fans would of hidden behind it being a neutral venue. No place to hide now.

 

[randomhero4815]

You do understand that Freo are likely to have to fly over and back, over and back and hopefully over and back again.

I wouldn't worry about more than 1 flight.

Trust me.

 

[HowieD]

But the AFL saying that there would be more than enough tickets is rubbish, if a game sells out while most people are still at work (and therefore would have some limitations on being able to even have a look at buying tickets) then clearly there was not sufficient supply.

Most of Geelong wasn't at work...

 

[i am a logo]

why are people complaining that Geelong got a home final?

They finished on top of Freo

They earned the right to home ground advantage

End of story

People are angry cos this harkens back to the days of vic bias against interstate teams. Remember in the 90s when the AFL made us play "home" finals in melbourne?

 

[clogged]

Oh really. Always eh

Finals have also been played at

• Waverly Park (1997, and annually from 1970-1995)
• Junction Oval (1944)
• Lake Oval (1924)
• Princes Park (1924, 1942, 1943 and 1945)
• Windy Hill (1924)

So a defunct stadium and pre-WW2 venues. I would say 'always' in the context of a professional, national league in the 21st century is fair.

Of course, that is not what the AFL is. It's a semi-professional suburban league with a few add ons. So I guess you can include when they used Lake Oval or the Essendon Bowls Club's facilities.

 

[Moo]

The statement could equally read:

Why should Freo cop a final at Etihad when Collingwood never will?

The truth is that Freo doesn't want to play at Simonds because they are afraid of losing, no other reason.

It's a factor Jim but I think the 2 overwhelming issues expressed on our board are - decision was made on the fly and comes after the AFL ruled KP about 8 weeks earlier & it is one rule for Freo and the smaller clubs and another for the bigger clubs.

Anyway should be a good atmosphere. My mate just flew in from OS - he e-mailed Vlad for a ticket as he said no member who wants to go misses out.

 

[Mr Belial]

Would people please stop arguing that Geelong deserve a home final?
That is not in dispute.
The issue here as I see it is that only Fremantle are expected to play at SS in this finals series. No other club will be expected to play there. That is clear discrimination. They're being made to do something no other club has ever had to do simply because they aren't popular!
If we are to be consistent then Geelong should also get to play a prelim (assuming they get there) at SS. Regardless of who their opponent might be. But we all know that will never happen.
The ONLY reason this game is being played in Geelong is because their opponent will be Fremantle.

 

[kickazz]

The ONLY reason this game is being played in Geelong is because their opponent will be Fremantle.

Not true. The 4 finals in Victoria is probably a bigger factor. But yes, the fact that we are playing Freo and not say Sydney or Hawthorn is definitely a big factor too.

 

[jim boy]

It's a factor Jim but I think the 2 overwhelming issues expressed on our board are - decision was made on the fly and comes after the AFL ruled KP about 8 weeks earlier & it is one rule for Freo and the smaller clubs and another for the bigger clubs.

Maybe on the fly, but it wasn't totally surprising. I speculated on these boards back in June that if all matches were in Melbourne and that we were playing freo then the AFL might consider shifting it, it turns out they did. Freo (and Port) should have also been aware. Regardless of this, I'm not sure how Freo's approach to this game would have altered at all if the AFL had been specific about this eventuality.

Anyway should be a good atmosphere.

Too right, a packed smaller stadium is much better than a half-empty major stadium.

 

[Mr Belial]

Not true. The 4 finals in Victoria is probably a bigger factor. But yes, the fact that we are playing Freo and not say Sydney or Hawthorn is definitely a big factor too.

If it wasn't Fremantle it wouldn't happen.
The 4 finals in Victoria was the trigger but if the opponent wasn't Fremantle it still wouldn't happen.
Therefore the DECIDING factor is that Fremantle are the opponent.

 

[Mr Belial]

Having said that, from a neutral spectators perspective the game will definitely have more atmosphere at Simmonds.

 

[clogged]

I don't care where Fremantle plays finals as long as it is a venue that all other teams are expected to play at. If it is a one off in the case of Fremantle, then its a disadvantage few other clubs can expect to be subjected to. That's the problem.

To put it another way - Sydney, despite finishing fourth, will be granted an easier run towards the premiership than Fremantle.

No doubt Geelong deserve a proper home final, in fact I said so over a month ago:

I see what you mean, though it would be unfair for Hawthorn to have a 'home' final at Etihad. Geelong might have a case for hosting it at Kardinia too.

 

[walhawk]

So you don't think it's unfair that if you have to play Geelong at one of their home games, you get to play it at your home ground?

Try to take the personal bias out of it and think clearly... is it completely fair?

You people from WA don't understand how footy works over here.
The big games get played @ the MCG, the others elsewhere!
If there were not three bigger games on the game would be @ MCG.
It is a bummer for you guys, but not unfair.

 

[walhawk]

Bullshit.. its because there's clubs who get looked after and there's clubs that get screwed over. Generally the ones that get looked after are further east. Demetriou shouldnt be talking about integrity cos the Afl hasnt got that, It has profitability, so may as well just admit that is the true motivator.

Absolute crap.
Why would the AFL want Geelong to win another flag?
How is that good for anyone?
Even if it is about money, that still does not make Geelong playing a final at home unfair.

 

[i am a logo]

Absolute crap.
Why would the AFL want Geelong to win another flag?
How is that good for anyone?

It's good for Andrew. He is clearly pro-vic and will do anything to make sure the premiership cup stays in melbourne, not SA or WA.

 

[mr_cellotape]

The truth is that Freo doesn't want to play at Simonds because they are afraid of losing, no other reason.

Whilst possibly true, it's not the point. Absolutely baffling that people refuse to see the actual issue here, regardless of how many times it's pointed out. This isn't about Freo or Geelong; this is about AFL admin hypocrisy and B.S. and the fact that a big Melbourne team wouldn't be subjected to what Freo is at the moment.

 

[strobe00]

You people from WA don't understand how footy works over here.
The big games get played @ the MCG, the others elsewhere!
If there were not three bigger games on the game would be @ MCG.
It is a bummer for you guys, but not unfair.

It is unfair that different teams are treated differently.

Yes it is a bummer for us. Thank you for conceding that at least.

It is unfair though. None of the Victorian teams will ever need to deal with the additional home ground advantage that the Cats (rightly) enjoy at Simonds during finals. That is unfair, regardless of the fact that more people will turn up to a game at the MCG (or even Etihad, as it were).

It's life. I understand the reasons for it. But it is unfair. Pretending that it's not is just leaving blinkers on. It won't change. I get it. But fixturing, money and bums on seats doesn't suddenly make a swing in home ground advantage fair for some teams, but not for others.

Sure it's realistic. Can even agree that it may be the best result for the extra supporters that get to see the game live. But it can't be defined as fair if one set of rules apply to one set of teams, and another set apply to the other.

 

[walhawk]

Whilst possibly true, it's not the point. Absolutely baffling that people refuse to see the actual issue here, regardless of how many times it's pointed out. This isn't about Freo or Geelong; this is about AFL admin hypocrisy and B.S. and the fact that a big Melbourne team wouldn't be subjected to what Freo is at the moment.

Rubbish again.
If the Prelim is Swans V Collingwood, and ANZ is not available, do you think we will get a full week of whining from Pies fans if the game has to be @ SCG? That is identical to what has happened here.
Don't think so. They would say 'heck' and move on.

 

[bfff]

I cannot maintain my suspension of disbelief any longer. Pity it had to coincide with one of the few good seasons for Freo.

 

[walhawk]

It is unfair that different teams are treated differently.

Yes it is a bummer for us. Thank you for conceding that at least.

It is unfair though. None of the Victorian teams will ever need to deal with the additional home ground advantage that the Cats (rightly) enjoy at Simonds during finals. That is unfair, regardless of the fact that more people will turn up to a game at the MCG (or even Etihad, as it were).

It's life. I understand the reasons for it. But it is unfair. Pretending that it's not is just leaving blinkers on. It won't change. I get it. But fixturing, money and bums on seats doesn't suddenly make a swing in home ground advantage fair for some teams, but not for others.

Sure it's realistic. Can even agree that it may be the best result for the extra supporters that get to see the game live. But it can't be defined as fair if one set of rules apply to one set of teams, and another set apply to the other.

So you are not saying it is unfair to Freo, but unfair to other Vic clubs?
Thanks for you concern but no-one here is worried about that. We love the MCG. Hawthorn used to play finals @ Waverley when it was out home ground. TBH it made little difference. The home team usually wins finals because that are the better team, not because of the venue.

 

[clogged]

Rubbish again.
If the Prelim is Swans V Collingwood, and ANZ is not available, do you think we will get a full week of whining from Pies fans if the game has to be @ SCG? That is identical to what has happened here.
Don't think so. They would say 'heck' and move on.

Probably. We've had some pretty serious whining from their CEO that they might have to play at Subiaco next Friday.