Simmonds Stadium, Finals and Politics

[Herne Hill Hammer]

I'd find a press conference from Goebels more believable.



So are you saying almost half of all your 40k+ members are only bandwagoning, "casuals"? I didn't realise Geelong fans had become so apathetic.

No, a lot of us have been members for years but now live interstate. We still buy memberships to give money to the club and perhaps attend the odd game when we're in town if we can.

 

[DudleyDocker]

I can't believe we (Fremantle supporters) are bothering to try to argue the point. The Geelong fans are (rightly) ecstatic at finally getting a final at their home ground and (rightly) see our complaints as fear of playing them in the fortress that is Simonds Stadium. We are (rightly) pissed off at the arrogant dismissal of our club and supporters by the AFL but the decision has been made and no amount of reasoned argument will change a single mind. Footy support is not about logic and fairness.

The best thing to do is suck it up and hope we can go over there, win the game and play a prelim at OUR home ground. Failing that we lose, then play a qualifier at OUR home ground. That sounds like a pretty exciting few weeks to me and I am going to enjoy them.

If this season doesn't pan out then we know we have to finish top two next year to take all the guesswork out of it.

Good luck to both teams and I hope it is an absolute belter. Freo by 22 points.

 

[strobe00]

one thing may come out of all this, just maybe wa fans will be willing to admit to the massive home ground advantage they get for half of the yr while melbourne clubs go into most games at neutral venues.

Yes. It's definitely a home ground advantage for us whenever we play someone that isn't West Coast because the team actually has to fly over to play us. But whenever we play against a team that isn't West Coast, that team gets their own home state advantage as we have to go fly over the them. Which is every second week.

Of course there's an advantage for us in home games there. But there isn't when we have to fly to play the opposition (which is just about every time if it's an away game). Seems pretty simple to me.

all i can say is good on a melbourne based team actuallyu getting a home grounnd advantage.

Every Victorian based team gets a home ground advantage when they play an interstate team.

Just because you don't get one against Victorian teams doesn't mean the advantage suddenly disappears against interstaters.

 

[Lester Burnham]

Why not Sydney? They play you down at Kardinia every year, but why is it off limits in finals? It's not like they're a big drawing club in Melbourne either.

Yeah maybe Sydney too. I had erased any memories of playing Sydney in finals. Too painful.

Why on earth would you do that? Wouldn't you be far more likely to win against, let's say, Richmond at KP than at the MCG? I'm genuinely interested to hear your answer because it seems to me like you would be giving up your advantage by playing at the MCG?

Actually if it was just about winning I would choose to play Richmond at Etihad. But there is nothing like a game at the MCG with 70 or 80 thousand at the ground. It's not just about winning it's the occasion. If we can't play at the MCG or there are only going to be 35 - 40k crowd then prefer the game in Geelong. There will be a full house on Saturday and the town will be rocking for our first home final in 100 years.

 

[Darcy 2 Fyfe]

Guys take the debates to the countless other threads, here I was just stating that no more whinging can come from the Freo camp in regards to ticket issues, as there were still half of their allocation up for grabs but the demand just wasn't quite there. Any further sooking coming from Fremantle can only be interpreted as a fear of having to play us at our home ground, which funny enough, is exactly what happens when you finish higher on the ladder. I know Freo supporters aren't quite knowledgeable when it comes to finals, as it is quite a rare occurrence, but this is just how it works, and no matter of crying to the AFL is going fix that. In hindsight this seems like an amazing decision made by the AFL, both in terms of business, and more importantly, fairness.

Played more finals than you in the last 12 months stud. We also haven't stunk it up for 44 years in a row like you pussies. In any case afetr a gifl from your friends in the big smoke the pressure is all on you guys. Lets see if the Catters "leaders" fingers are pointing at 1/4 time this year.

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

geelong play the larger clubs away from simonds because it would be finacially crippling if they did not. a geelong final against fellow melbourne clubs would be 60 k plus but hey in our sook lets just ignore this.

I know you're sticking up for the Cats but the highlighted above isn't true. In the H&A, Geelong make out like bandits at Kardinia. When they have a home ground against say, a Collingwood at the G, the figure generally used is that they need at least 75,000+ to show up to break even with what they'd make at Kardinia.

Geelong has 3 or 4 home games a year in Melbourne a) because the AFL makes them b) for their Melbourne based fans and c) the club likes giving their players finals like experience in front of big crowds at the PF and GF venue.

That's my understanding anyway.

 

[santa claws]

Yes. It's definitely a home ground advantage for us whenever we play someone that isn't West Coast because the team actually has to fly over to play us. But whenever we play against a team that isn't West Coast, that team gets their own home state advantage as we have to go fly over the them. Which is every second week.

Of course there's an advantage for us in home games there. But there isn't when we have to fly to play the opposition (which is just about every time if it's an away game). Seems pretty simple to me.



Every Victorian based team gets a home ground advantage when they play an interstate team.

Just because you don't get one against Victorian teams doesn't mean the advantage suddenly disappears against interstaters.

why thank you for repeating what i said. what you fail to say and i will use the tiges as an example we played just 3 interstate teams in melbourne yet you dockers play 1o every yr at a venue with a massive home ground advantage, bloody hell with an average side you should make finals every yr.

 

[pazza]

Complaints about this knocked on the head by Demetriou on Talking Footy tonight.

AFL is organising a chartered flight from Perth to Avalon. Now Avalon Airport is just 19ks from Geelong city. So the players and coaches have no complaints.

 

[dthom]

Complaints about this knocked on the head by Demetriou on Talking Footy tonight.

AFL is organising a chartered flight from Perth to Avalon. Now Avalon Airport is just 19ks from Geelong city. So the players and coaches have no complaints.

Except for the fact that none of us want to travel to watch footy at that shithole... Also, are they chartering flights for all us supporters... No.

 

[pazza]

Except for the fact that none of us want to travel to watch footy at that shithole... Also, are they chartering flights for all us supporters... No.

WWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

Here's an idea. It's now Tuesday. If you are able to, jump in your car, and drive 3 days to Geelong and make a week holiday out of it.

Even as an Essendon supporter, to think Geelong is a shithole is a bit much.

 

[AAACockburn]

I can't believe we (Fremantle supporters) are bothering to try to argue the point. The Geelong fans are (rightly) ecstatic at finally getting a final at their home ground and (rightly) see our complaints as fear of playing them in the fortress that is Simonds Stadium. We are (rightly) pissed off at the arrogant dismissal of our club and supporters by the AFL but the decision has been made and no amount of reasoned argument will change a single mind. Footy support is not about logic and fairness.

The best thing to do is suck it up and hope we can go over there, win the game and play a prelim at OUR home ground. Failing that we lose, then play a qualifier at OUR home ground. That sounds like a pretty exciting few weeks to me and I am going to enjoy them.

If this season doesn't pan out then we know we have to finish top two next year to take all the guesswork out of it.

Good luck to both teams and I hope it is an absolute belter. Freo by 22 points.

And if we win, I hope these whiners don't start up the "Anywhere" chant.
No excuses!
If anything it gives Freo more reason to win.

 

[mattah]

Complaints about this knocked on the head by Demetriou on Talking Footy tonight.

Did he address the double standards as pertaining to bigger Melbourne based clubs not having to play finals at KP?

I'm guessing not ..

Again, I have no problems with having to play at KP. I just think everyone should have to.

 

[STP18]

Except for the fact that none of us want to travel to watch footy at that shithole... Also, are they chartering flights for all us supporters... No.

Your tears please me. Had you guys of finished above us we would of had to travel to Perth, the very definition of a shithole. But the point I think you're missing is that we actually finished above you, and it's going to be our home game whether you like it or not. Crying about not liking Geelong as a place is a weak excuse for not having your team play footy there, and is really embarrassing for you guys...

 

[clogged]

WWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

Here's an idea. It's now Tuesday. If you are able to, jump in your car, and drive 3 days to Geelong and make a week holiday out of it.

Even as an Essendon supporter, to think Geelong is a shithole is a bit much.

You live in Lara though.

 

[pazza]

Did he address the double standards as pertaining to bigger Melbourne based clubs not having to play finals at KP?

I'm guessing not ..

Again, I have no problems with having to play at KP. I just think everyone should have to.

Until such time as the ground has the capacity to hold Collingwood, Hawthorn, Essendon and Carlton (it has hosted Richmond) then no.

Essendon was last there 1993.
Collingwood a year later.

 

[Fireballs]

I would've flown over if it wasn't at that dung heap.

 

[pazza]

You live in Lara though.

Only been here 2 years..was in the Werribee area before that. The point would have remained.

 

[dthom]

WWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!

Here's an idea. It's now Tuesday. If you are able to, jump in your car, and drive 3 days to Geelong and make a week holiday out of it.

Even as an Essendon supporter, to think Geelong is a shithole is a bit much.

I've been there on 3 occasions. It's a hole. Melbourne, on the other hand, is a fantastic city. Also, the notion of Geelong as a tourist destination is laughable. I might as well argue that Northam is a tourist destination.

 

[telsor]

Playing at Kardinia park I don't have a problem with.

Deciding that this is an option a week before the game is a big deal.

 

[dthom]

Your tears please me. Had you guys of finished above us we would of had to travel to Perth, the very definition of a shithole. But the point I think you're missing is that we actually finished above you, and it's going to be our home game whether you like it or not. Crying about not liking Geelong as a place is a weak excuse for not having your team play footy there, and is really embarrassing for you guys...

Perth = shithole... hahaha. You are very funny. If you're lucky we'll let you in and give you a job when your crappy little hole turns into a ghost town.

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

Except for the fact that none of us want to travel to watch footy at that shithole... Also, are they chartering flights for all us supporters... No.

Hey, I see your club is offering tickets to the game and a seat on the chartered flight for a price. Why don't you take them up on it. I'm sure they won't be trying to profit from it.

 

[Lester Burnham]

You live in Lara though.

Geff, if you are thinking of coming over make sure you visit Lara Sporto. One of the countries top entertainment venues. And of course go to Avalon Beach. Some people say it is as spectacular as Sydney Harbour

 

[telsor]

Did he address the double standards as pertaining to bigger Melbourne based clubs not having to play finals at KP?

I'm guessing not ..

Again, I have no problems with having to play at KP. I just think everyone should have to.

He was pretty clear it had to do with 4 games in Melbourne and crowd numbers, so while 'bigger clubs' wouldn't have been directly addressed, in effect it was.

I agree, no problem with playing at KP, but the lack of notice is a serious issue.

 

[Vdubs]

Did he address the double standards as pertaining to bigger Melbourne based clubs not having to play finals at KP?

I'm guessing not ..

Again, I have no problems with having to play at KP. I just think everyone should have to.

In all seriousness, it was probably just an idea, but after Freo dropped a dozen players, they probably thought, "why the hell not?" payback?
It was an idea I mooted early June on our board, and most Geelong BF fans thought it would not happen. Something has happened to finally give us our true first HOME FINAL at Geelong, since 1897.
We did lose that one, btw, fwiw!

 

[ZosoCat]

it's like flying into new york to see the lakers take on the knicks at maddison square garden and then realising you have to drive to new jersey.

when has a NY basketball team played a home match in New Jersey? Poor poor poor...