Standardised playing field size

[PerthBoy86]

I know this would never happen, for obvious reasons, but hypothetically, would you support a standard sized playing field? Like a standard size oval with standardised dimensions, so every ground would be the same size and shape? As we know AFL is unusual among team sports in that there is no standard size, grounds vary in size and shape, sometimes significantly (like it's well known Subiaco/Domain is a lot longer and narrower than the MCG, as is Kardinia park in Geelong), and this is part of the home ground advantage for many teams (and can also backfire when a team plays away). It's sort of part of the game.

Personally, if hypothetically this was an option, I'd actually support it. I used to think the different grounds made things more interesting, still sorta do, but I think it would make it a bit more even.

I do think with the new stadium in WA this could become more the case though, I think Skilled Stadium/Kardinia Park is a similar size to Subi from memory, since someone said it'll be the same size as the MCG. I think Etihad and the Gabba are pretty similar to the MCG? The SCG seems even shorter/smaller.

 

[Teen Wolf]

Not sure about playing field size, but I'd definitely support standardised camera angles.

 

[Katherine Amateurs]

Nope.

Rugby and Soccer teams have home ground advantages and the grounds are the same size everywhere. You would be putting a lot of effort and it wouldn't change anything.

If you use the average size (160m) the SCG is 10m shorter, you would have to remove 5m of stand each side and in the end for no real advantage.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

The fact our grounds are different sizes just proves how amateurish AFL is as a sport.

 

[HTPunter]

The fact our grounds are different sizes just proves how amateurish AFL is as a sport.

Yeah, right.

 

[PerthBoy86]

The fact our grounds are different sizes just proves how amateurish AFL is as a sport.

I suppose it did begin as a way for cricketers to stay fit in the off-season (like you need to be that fit to play cricket, haha, jk). But compared to just kicking a ball along the ground (aka soccer) I think it needs a bit more skill, haha jk, soccer does require a lot of skill, well to be good at it anyway.

 

[VineyIsLORD]

It is a bit weird and, along with the way the fixture is set to maximise advertising revenue rather than being fair, and how smaller clubs play some home games interstate, it does mean the league is fundamentally unbalanced.

But out of those three things, this is the most minor of problems.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

Yeah, right.

How the hell can you run a fair and even competition if the grounds vary in size all over the country? Now I get there are historical reasons for this but with all the stadium redevelopment which has happened around the country in the last two decades, the AFL could have pure more effort into making sure grounds we're at least the same ******* shape.

 

[SpudsLoveChild]

Grounds need to be standardised.
Players need to be standardised - 187cm and 85kg.
Coaches need to be standardised - IQ of no greater than 80.
Commentators need to be standardised - Self-obsessed boofheads only please.
Fans need to be standardised - One-eyed flogs only.

Seriously, the game has been played for over 100 years without standardised grounds. There's no need to change or even give it a second thought.

 

[Number37]

The grounds are standardised.
Both teams play on the same ground don't they?
Or am I missing something?

 

[Soft Ball Get]

The fact our grounds are different sizes just proves how amateurish AFL is as a sport.

I'd call it a unique quality that makes our game great.

 

[galindez]

The fact our grounds are different sizes just proves how amateurish AFL is as a sport.

Soccer pitches are different sizes. Obviously cricket grounds too. So the 2 biggest sports in the world are equally amateurish.

 

[hawkman]

Rugby and Soccer teams have home ground advantages and the grounds are the same size everywhere. You would be putting a lot of effort and it wouldn't change anything

Not sure about rugby but soccer pitches definitely aren't standardised

 

[Docker Alyssa]

Seen this thread before I'm sure... zzzzzzz

I like the ground sizes. What I hate is the shitty camera angles at scg and the tasmania games and NT and other "bush" venues.

Put the main camera higher at the SCG at least!

 

[JohnnyFontane90]

i mean lets be honest the logistics of it are quite impractical but ideally yes all the grounds should be the same size. of course teams will still have homefield advantage but it just seems unprofessional to have differing size fields.

 

[funk44]

I'm going to start a 'Let's not change anything' thread

 

[Ron The Bear]

You wouldn't want cricket wickets standardised so they're all fast like Perth or turn like Sydney.

There's a set of goals at each end, same for both teams. That's enough.

Quirks are good.

 

[Mr_Moogle]

My main frustration is with the MCG being a much rounder ground than those found interstate. I mean yeah obviously it's a cricket ground so it's going to be round. I may as well complain about the sky being blue. It would be nice if every footy ground in the country had the same dimensions as the ground where the Grand Final is played for the sake of fairness but it will never happen.

 

[LB#16]

The fact our grounds are different sizes just proves how amateurish AFL is as a sport.

AFL is a league, not a sport, so...

 

[Mr_Moogle]

AFL is a league, not a sport, so...

Semantics. The terms are used interchangeably.

 

[Illinois Nazi]

Soccer grounds aren't standard. There is a range they have to fit within but they're not all the same.

 

[JackOutback]

Won't lie, I didn't realise soccer pitches weren't standardised.

It's a weird one, it's nice to have unique home grounds and advantages, but common sense suggests the oval dimensions should be the same.

 

[Jase Cutler]

This has not been a problem for over a century, not one now. Even if you were going to change it, it would cost millions. AFL not forking that out, for no apparent benefit.

 

[kaiserchief13]

Well since the grand final is at the MCG every year teams should be trying to get their stadium to suit that. If/when the grand final gets moved around it doesn't really matter if your teams ground dimensions are different as it'll be luck of the draw anyway

 

[Dagless]

How the hell can you run a fair and even competition if the grounds vary in size all over the country? Now I get there are historical reasons for this but with all the stadium redevelopment which has happened around the country in the last two decades, the AFL could have pure more effort into making sure grounds we're at least the same ******* shape.

Weather isn't standardised across the country for obvious reasons.

NFL, which most would argue is one of the most 'professional' leagues in the world has multiple difference in playing surfaces, weather conditions, open or closed roof, cities that get perpetual sunlight with 30° conditions vs cities that are covered with snow with -18° conditions during play.

NFL is actually a measured sport so it needs to be consistent. The comparatively minimal variations in playing oval wouldn't change the fact that how Adelaide Oval is situated makes it a hugely different ground to play on vs the MCG, vs Tasmania.