Simmonds Stadium, Finals and Politics

[Off The Couch]

the AFL will make more money having a sold out game at Kardinia, than they will from Etihad regardless of the size of the crowd.

Andy said its disgraceful that people are trotting out this line
Geelong earnt the right by finishing 2nd to play at symonds - money is irrelevant

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Actually really looking forward to this game. Freo are far from underdogs in this game. They are right in this up to their bootstraps.

There is going to be a heap of niggle in this game, two sides that go hard at the footy, plenty of guys that love to get under the skins of the opposition, and a shit load of talent on one field.

This could just about be the game of the weekend for mine.

 

[Lach72]

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.

Example - Pies or Freo vs Geelong at MCG - 30% chance of winning.
Pies or Freo vs Geelong at Simmonds - 10% chance of winning.

Freo cop the raw end of the deal because of the AFL's love of the almighty $$$. Fairness of the comp can get stuffed when it comes to Vlad's end of year bonus.

Ah someone gets it.

We want to win and the AFL have directly reduced the chances of that relative to most, if not all teams. Whereas, teams like Collingwood/Hawthorn get directly advantaged because the game gets shifted to their home grounds. If its us and not West Coast or Sydney, they get to play at the MCG most likely which gives the a final where the GF is played. To be punted to KP is a direct FU from the AFL to our chances relative to others and that's shit.

People say that but "you get a home final" so stiff shit. Well actually we get a home final and every single club has to face it.

 

[Alvin Purple]

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.

 

[blktreacle]

Andy said its disgraceful that people are trotting out this line
Geelong earnt the right by finishing 2nd to play at symonds - money is irrelevant

in this industry, money is never irrelevant

 

[SurreyBlue]

Geelong deserve to play @ home against a team that would demand the same if they finished higher up.
Well done Cats for building something that will hold you equivalent, both on and off-field, to interstate team dominance. Other Victorian team needs to take note and get their sh!t in order.

 

[mattah]

I am a cats supporter but just wanted to say when you put in like that, in terms of chances of victory, it does seem unfair that all other opposition don't have to play there too.

This is exactly what we've been trying to get at. It has nothing to do with Geelong, it's more about how we are being treated relative to teams like Collingwood, Richmond, Hawthorn, etc.

 

[ThatsjustDappa]

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.

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

 

[ThatsjustDappa]

This is exactly what we've been trying to get at. It has nothing to do with Geelong, it's more about how we are being treated relative to teams like Collingwood, Richmond, Hawthorn, etc.

The issue is, Fremantle are being treated fairly, and Col/Ric/Haw are being treated favourably. So what's the beef with Geelong?

 

[Off The Couch]

in this industry, money is never irrelevant

You calling Andy a liar

 

[Alvin Purple]

I don't think our beef is with Geelong it is with the AFL, if we have to play there why shouldn't the other teams?

 

[mattah]

The issue is, Fremantle are being treated fairly, and Col/Ric/Haw are being treated favourably. So what's the beef with Geelong?

I have no beef with Geelong. My beef is with the AFL, who were the ones that made this decision and, by extension, are treating us unfairly.

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

i guess we'll never know how many more would have bought tickets than the 33K or thereabouts limit.

 

[blktreacle]

You calling Andy a liar

yes, yes i am

 

[Liger]

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.

... and then he woke up!

 

[Liger]

You calling Andy a liar

tit for tat

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

Geelong deserve to play @ home against a team that would demand the same if they finished higher up.
Well done Cats for building something that will hold you equivalent, both on and off-field, to interstate team dominance. Other Victorian team needs to take note and get their sh!t in order.

Ah, but the difference there is Subiaco is our home ground and our only option for hosting a home final

Simonds is Geelongs home ground and the third option for home finals hosting - it just so happens the 1st option wasn't available and the AFL decided to skip the 2nd option

 

[Herne Hill Hammer]

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.

Example - Pies or Freo vs Geelong at MCG - 30% chance of winning.
Pies or Freo vs Geelong at Simmonds - 10% chance of winning.

Freo cop the raw end of the deal because of the AFL's love of the almighty $$$. Fairness of the comp can get stuffed when it comes to Vlad's end of year bonus.

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?

 

[Whiskers]

Getting sick of the poor freo attitude.
If this game was at Etihad it would be Freo and Geelong who would be considered 2nd class citizens.
Freo complaining about being shafted to SS is nothing new either. All low drawing clubs are sent to SS all year and if you were to play at Etihad and not MCG you would still be treated as 2nd class because you don't get the fans.
It's ok for freo to play at etihad when in fact the same principal applies. You aren't playing at the MCG because you draw low crowds.
This has nothing to do with fairness. Freo don't care about fairness, they just do not want to have a harder task by being sent to Geelong.
Every big club will ALWAYS be treated better than a smaller club. This is nothing new and it will never change.

 

[Liger]

Ah, but the difference there is Subiaco is our home ground and our only option for hosting a home final

Simonds is Geelongs home ground and the third option for home finals hosting - it just so happens the 1st option wasn't available and the AFL decided to skip the 2nd option

ERRRRR....BUZZER.
Simonds is the FIRST choice (it's just never been acknowledged by the AFL but the city of Geelong worked hard and built the stadium up, making it suitable for finals footy), MCG is second (with it being an optional first if the opposition warrants it) with Etihad being a nuteral stadium, 3rd choice at best, since anything else would be travelling interstate, so it's of no importance or fear to Geelong and basically it's a big beige oval to us. but finishing 2nd means we don't have to play on the beige oval to make our Dockers feel more comfortable. That's bad luck, here's the hot tip - WIN MORE GAMES NEXT TIME.

Amazingly, the AFL has given Geelong their FIRST choice since they finished 2nd and Fremantle only bought half their membership allocation of tickets as was expected justifying the decision. The AFL WANTED a sell out, the publicity is ringing louder than a cash registers bell. Why would they want a half empty Etihad after the month of rubbish they've been dealing with in all the media? Every reasoning suggested Simonds stadium is the best location for this game, the AFL thought differently earlier in the year when Geelong suggested it was ready and the stubborn nosed 'we're never wrong' AFL have now had to admit they got it wrong.

Before your knickers are tied in too much of a knot, pray the Eddie Monster doesn't force Freo to play at the MCG against Collingwood due to the dollars generated and especially because Subiaco won't be fair for Pies supporters since it's too small comapred to the Melbourne venues and too many Freo supporters will buy all the tickets! plus Fremantle is apparently the backwater of Yokelville and they are so broke if they don't play at Subiaco to generate money, Rottnest Island will sink! That's what i've read on some forums anyway, i believe it thou.

 

[blue harvest]

Ah someone gets it.

We want to win and the AFL have directly reduced the chances of that relative to most, if not all teams. Whereas, teams like Collingwood/Hawthorn get directly advantaged because the game gets shifted to their home grounds. If its us and not West Coast or Sydney, they get to play at the MCG most likely which gives the a final where the GF is played. To be punted to KP is a direct FU from the AFL to our chances relative to others and that's shit.

People say that but "you get a home final" so stiff shit. Well actually we get a home final and every single club has to face it.

We understand this argument Freo people keep trying to get across, but it just doesn't stack up. You are right, relatively yes the AFL have reduced your chances, but that doesn't mean it's not fair to Freo, your chances have been reduced to what they should be. Geelong are getting a home final because they finished higher, that is fair. Just like you would get a home final if you finished higher. The only unfair thing is to Geelong in that they don't normally get this advantage, but that has nothing to do with Freo, that's just tough for Geelong and a bonus for the other big clubs. All that Freo can look at is what happens to them and what has happenned is fair.

All these other arguments are embarrassing, not enough tickets, short notice, too hard to get to, a conspiracy to stop a Swans/Freo GF etc, wtf? The Freo website even has misleading stuff about Freo fans snapping up all their tickets, beginning to sound like the Bomber spin machine. So what if the AFL change the rules, they are doing what is best in this unique situation. If the finals fine print 6 months ago said that Simonds can hold a final if this rare situation occurs, then how would that make any difference? Would it make the game easier? Would Freo have sent someone to Geelong to scope out some good Hotels? Or made some preliminary bookings for a bus and dinner the night before just in case? Would people have held off on booking flights? No.

Anyway I've had enough of this victim mentality from Freo, I'm off to talk about lighting up some dwarfs. Good luck on Saturday, I'll be there, think it will be a lot closer than most.

 

[Topper Harley]

If Geelong finished 6th, and Freo 7th, this game would be played at Etihad no question.

But given Geelong came second, you can't claim integrity of the competition if you force the team who came second to play at their third choice non-home ground. For some (obvious, but no less bullshit) reason, both 5th and 6th have been given their ground preference above us.

Fact is, if the AFL didn't want to shift Collingwood & Port to Etihad, this game HAD to be played at Kardinia Park.

The 1 mil extra the AFL stands to make is simply an added bonus for them.

 

[SurreyBlue]

Ah, but the difference there is Subiaco is our home ground and our only option for hosting a home final

Simonds is Geelongs home ground and the third option for home finals hosting - it just so happens the 1st option wasn't available and the AFL decided to skip the 2nd option

Nope. Geelong's 1st option home stadium, as you put it is Skilled Stadium. They play bigger drawing VIC games at other options. Skilled stadium is home to Geelong.

 

[SurreyBlue]

Getting sick of the poor freo attitude.
If this game was at Etihad it would be Freo and Geelong who would be considered 2nd class citizens.
Freo complaining about being shafted to SS is nothing new either. All low drawing clubs are sent to SS all year and if you were to play at Etihad and not MCG you would still be treated as 2nd class because you don't get the fans.
It's ok for freo to play at etihad when in fact the same principal applies. You aren't playing at the MCG because you draw low crowds.
This has nothing to do with fairness. Freo don't care about fairness, they just do not want to have a harder task by being sent to Geelong.
Every big club will ALWAYS be treated better than a smaller club. This is nothing new and it will never change.

What i find amazing is the crying when the shoe is on the other foot. Just highlights what I always thought and that is interstate teams love having everything their own way. Vic teams have been taken for a ride for decades.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

ERRRRR....BUZZER.
Simonds is the FIRST choice (it's just never been acknowledged by the AFL but the city of Geelong worked hard and built the stadium up, making it suitable for finals footy), MCG is second (with it being an optional first if the opposition warrants it) with Etihad being a nuteral stadium, 3rd choice at best, since anything else would be travelling interstate, so it's of no importance or fear to Geelong and basically it's a big beige oval to us. but finishing 2nd means we don't have to play on the beige oval to make our Dockers feel more comfortable. That's bad luck, here's the hot tip - WIN MORE GAMES NEXT TIME.

Amazingly, the AFL has given Geelong their FIRST choice since they finished 2nd and Fremantle only bought half their membership allocation of tickets as was expected justifying the decision. The AFL WANTED a sell out, the publicity is ringing louder than a cash registers bell. Why would they want a half empty Etihad after the month of rubbish they've been dealing with in all the media? Every reasoning suggested Simonds stadium is the best location for this game, the AFL thought differently earlier in the year when Geelong suggested it was ready and the stubborn nosed 'we're never wrong' AFL have now had to admit they got it wrong.

Before your knickers are tied in too much of a knot, pray the Eddie Monster doesn't force Freo to play at the MCG against Collingwood due to the dollars generated and especially because Subiaco won't be fair for Pies supporters since it's too small comapred to the Melbourne venues and too many Freo supporters will buy all the tickets! plus Fremantle is apparently the backwater of Yokelville and they are so broke if they don't play at Subiaco to generate money, Rottnest Island will sink! That's what i've read on some forums anyway, i believe it thou.

Delusional. The AFL decides finals - not the clubs. Simonds is only the choice for this because the AFL do not want to use Etihad and the MCG can't host 4 games on the same weekend.

33,000 maximum capacity for a finals venue is pretty poor, I don't care how you look at it, but Simonds stadium is not of a high enough capacity to host finals - regardless of what the AFL or some of the deluded cats fans seem to think.

Geelong have every right to host finals at Simonds (regardless of ground size, all sides should get to host finals at their home-ground), but they should then get to host all finals there - and not just when they can't use the MCG or the AFL refuses to use Etihad