Fixture Week 1 finals fixture

[Gunf]

Also, I thought Geelong wanted Saturday because it’s easier for their fans to get to the game.

That’s the game channel 7 would’ve wanted for Friday night, though.

Geelong 100% would have preferred a Sat twilight game like 2022 but the AFL don't care about our fans just TV audience

 

[The_Todd07]

Geelong 100% would have preferred a Sat twilight game like 2022 but the AFL don't care about our fans just TV audience

Unfortunately they dont only care about TV because if that was the be all and end all, there's no reason not to play it in Geelong.

They want to maximise TV and crowds but keep doing it in a way that minimizes the advantages we've rightfully earned

 

[Toffee Lion]

Unfortunately they dont only care about TV because if that was the be all and end all, there's no reason not to play it in Geelong.

They want to maximise TV and crowds but keep doing it in a way that minimizes the advantages we've rightfully earned

There was 93,000 last year for the game, wouldn't it be better for Cats fans to have a better chance to attend the game anyway? I'd imagine seats would be impossible for multiple thousands of Cats fans if it were played at the Cattery.

 

[The_Todd07]

There was 93,000 last year for the game, wouldn't it be better for Cats fans to have a better chance to attend the game anyway? I'd imagine seats would be impossible for multiple thousands of Cats fans if it were played at the Cattery.

And all those fans would have no choice but to watch it on TV, maximising ratings. That seems to be what the AFL want by scheduling this game on Friday. Otherwise it would have been on the Saturday like last year's that drew a great crowd.

In reality the AFL are trying to maximise both TV and crowd but the result is the least favourable for the home team.

 

[JohnZ]

There was 93,000 last year for the game, wouldn't it be better for Cats fans to have a better chance to attend the game anyway? I'd imagine seats would be impossible for multiple thousands of Cats fans if it were played at the Cattery.

What % of that 93k are neutral afl and mcc members?

Its not 50k genuine supporters missing out, probably closer to 25k

 

[Toffee Lion]

What % of that 93k are neutral afl and mcc members?

Its not 50k genuine supporters missing out, probably closer to 25k

Obviously none of us know specific numbers but it's fair to assume quite a few Lions/Cats supporters would not be able to attend if the game was played in Geelong.

 

[JohnZ]

Obviously none of us know specific numbers but it's fair to assume quite a few Lions/Cats supporters would not be able to attend if the game was played in Geelong.

If the game was played at the GABBA we could say the same thing.

Why is it good for some but not for others?

What is fair is fair. Either all finals are played at the MCG, or all finals are played at the home ground of the home team's choosing.

For what it's worth, I think that every 2nd GF should be outside of Victoria (so each of WA/SA/NSW/QLD would host 1x GF every 8 years). Half the comp is not based in Melbourne, so that split is fair.

We have an archaic system holding onto the last remants of the VFL. Finals were once "neutral" because the MCG was (except for Melbourne and post-60s Richmond) a netural venue that could fit both club's supporters in. The league ran the finals and made the money.

Now we have clubs not based in Victoria. They play home finals in their states. Only four clubs (Geelong, Dogs, North and Saints) don't get a true home final anymore, and that inequality should be fixed. Finals are not neutral.

 

[randyzany]

There was 93,000 last year for the game, wouldn't it be better for Cats fans to have a better chance to attend the game anyway? I'd imagine seats would be impossible for multiple thousands of Cats fans if it were played at the Cattery.

My take is roughly 40k were Geelong supporters, 38k MCC members that support various Melbourne clubs who got in for cheap and 15k Brissie supporters

 

[timokane]

Pies i think will get over the crows this time and win by 20 points and lions in the other one and win by 14 points

 

[kickazz]

That annual article about freezing the ticket prices of the first two weeks of finals is conspicuously absent this year. ,

 

[STPer18]

Geelong 100% would have preferred a Sat twilight game like 2022 but the AFL don't care about our fans just TV audience

2022 Prelim Geelong vs Brisbane: Friday night - 77,677 crowd.
2024 Prelim Geelong vs Brisbane: Saturday twilight - 93,066 crowd.

AFL: "Let's make it a Friday night, every Geelong member obviously live in the CBD!"

 

[The_Todd07]

Obviously none of us know specific numbers but it's fair to assume quite a few Lions/Cats supporters would not be able to attend if the game was played in Geelong.

So what???

Why do crowds always need to trump fairness?

If it gives Geelong a greater chance to win, they can play behind closed doors for all I care.

 

[manicmagpie]

That annual article about freezing the ticket prices of the first two weeks of finals is conspicuously absent this year. ,

I think it did come out a couple of weeks ago.

 

[kickazz]

I think it did come out a couple of weeks ago.

Found it. Entry level only. That's like row ZZ and standing room

 

[Toffee Lion]

So what???

Why do crowds always need to trump fairness?

If it gives Geelong a greater chance to win, they can play behind closed doors for all I care.

I wouldn't be opposed to Geelong fairly playing at home, not my battle. I'm sure Geelong make more from the game being at the MCG though.

If the game was played at the GABBA we could say the same thing.

Why is it good for some but not for others?

What is fair is fair. Either all finals are played at the MCG, or all finals are played at the home ground of the home team's choosing.

For what it's worth, I think that every 2nd GF should be outside of Victoria (so each of WA/SA/NSW/QLD would host 1x GF every 8 years). Half the comp is not based in Melbourne, so that split is fair.

We have an archaic system holding onto the last remants of the VFL. Finals were once "neutral" because the MCG was (except for Melbourne and post-60s Richmond) a netural venue that could fit both club's supporters in. The league ran the finals and made the money.

Now we have clubs not based in Victoria. They play home finals in their states. Only four clubs (Geelong, Dogs, North and Saints) don't get a true home final anymore, and that inequality should be fixed. Finals are not neutral.

The difference is there is no alternative to the GABBA, although we are of course building a bigger stadium soon enough anyway.

Geelong should have the right/choice but with MCG deals in place, I guess it's largely out of their hands. At the very least the club does improve profits from it and allows more fans to attend but I'm not debating the fact that Geelong shouldn't be allowed to play finals at GMHBA.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Was going to say this.

Makes the most sense in terms of getting Cats fans to the game.

Apparently the AFL don't care about Cats fans.

I agree though, Cats on Saturday made sense. Although playing on the Friday now means they have an extra days break before their next game.

 

[Gunf]

I wouldn't be opposed to Geelong fairly playing at home, not my battle. I'm sure Geelong make more from the game being at the MCG though.


The difference is there is no alternative to the GABBA, although we are of course building a bigger stadium soon enough anyway.

Geelong should have the right/choice but with MCG deals in place, I guess it's largely out of their hands. At the very least the club does improve profits from it and allows more fans to attend but I'm not debating the fact that Geelong shouldn't be allowed to play finals at GMHBA.

Regular season we make more from KP than MCG

Finals most if not all revenue from tickets goes to the AFL

 

[The_Todd07]

I wouldn't be opposed to Geelong fairly playing at home, not my battle. I'm sure Geelong make more from the game being at the MCG though.

And you would be wrong about that

AFL receives the gate takings for finals

Home and away games make much more in Geelong due to making around 3-4x per head more than the MCG

 

[Billy ray]

My annual post calling for the first week's qualifying finals to be renamed preliminary finals.
and Week 3's finals to be renamed qualifying finals

 

[Toffee Lion]

Regular season we make more from KP than MCG

Finals most if not all revenue from tickets goes to the AFL

And you would be wrong about that

AFL receives the gate takings for finals

Home and away games make much more in Geelong due to making around 3-4x per head more than the MCG

Didn't realise, apologies.

It does still physically allow for more fans to attend, I'm not sure I'd be capable of attending a QF at GMHBA, but I know I can 100% attend at the MCG. That's my outlook but clearly with the current MCG deals in place, there isn't much Geelong can do but rally to get the deals changed, which they have every right to try and achieve.

 

[Gunf]

Didn't realise, apologies.

It does still physically allow for more fans to attend, I'm not sure I'd be capable of attending a QF at GMHBA, but I know I can 100% attend at the MCG. That's my outlook but clearly with the current MCG deals in place, there isn't much Geelong can do but rally to get the deals changed, which they have every right to try and achieve.

I just wish they gave us Saturday since i can't attend Thursday or Friday.

Would be the same for a heap of Cats fans and Lions fans.

 

[Toffee Lion]

I just wish they gave us Saturday since i can't attend Thursday or Friday.

Would be the same for a heap of Cats fans and Lions fans.

Our last two Prelims, one was on Friday & the other on Saturday. 16k crowd difference on the Saturday. No brainer.

 

[deck]

That annual article about freezing the ticket prices of the first two weeks of finals is conspicuously absent this year. ,

I seen it reported that the cheapest tickets for the first 2 weeks was $35. That's cheaper than half of Collingwoods games at the MCG were this year and last.

 

[JohnZ]

Didn't realise, apologies.

It does still physically allow for more fans to attend, I'm not sure I'd be capable of attending a QF at GMHBA, but I know I can 100% attend at the MCG. That's my outlook but clearly with the current MCG deals in place, there isn't much Geelong can do but rally to get the deals changed, which they have every right to try and achieve.

Respectfully, it's not your home final so I don't really care if you can or can't make it. The same goes for if the game was at the GABBA I don't expect to get a seat up there.

Your club earns the right to a home final and they should get it.

 

[____]

Even as a lions fan I know the final should be at Kardinia Park. However ticket allocations should be split 50/50.

First two weeks of finals should be at the clubs actual home ground if they request it.

Prelims should be home state advantage, since having a week off should be the advantage.

I'd also remove the week off before finals.