Wizard Cup Showdown

[Jars458]

Crows vs Port in first round of the Wizard Cup.

At least if we win we can tell them you are only as good as your last game!

Juicy match-ups for Wizard Cup
5:03:11 PM Wed 29 September, 2004
Ashley Browne
Sportal
Related Content:

Re-live this year's Wizard Home Loans Cup

Traditional rivalries and some interesting reunions feature in the opening round of the 2005 Wizard Home Loans Cup, which was released by the AFL on Wednesday.

And in a marked departure from the last few years, the focus will be back on Victoria, with four games in the opening round set for decision either at Telstra Dome or Optus Oval.

The opening round of the pre-season competition will start on the weekend of 19 February.





Traditional rivals Carlton and Essendon will meet, as will Collingwood and Richmond. Last year's winner St Kilda and Hawthorn will also meet at the Dome, while Sydney travels to Melbourne to play the Western Bulldogs, who will be coached for the first time by former Swans coach Rodney Eade.

AFL Broadcasting, Strategy and Major Projects General Manager Ben Buckley, said a desire to draw large crowds and help clubs with membership sales was a reason behind changing the focus of the opening weekend of the Wizard Home Loans Cup.

"We wanted to minimise the travel and get as many teams playing in their home city to maximise access to their members to be able to sell seasons tickets," he said.

Port Adelaide and Adelaide will clash at AAMI Stadium, while West Coast and Fremantle will meet at Subiaco.

The two regional clashes in the first week will be at Manuka where the Kangaroos meet Geelong and Bundaberg Rum Stadium in Cairns, where the Brisbane Lions will meet Melbourne.

The winner of the Saints-Hawks clash will meet either the Bulldogs or the Swans at the newly-renamed Aurora Stadium in a quarter-final clash, while the winners of the Dockers-Eagles and the Magpies-Tigers clashes, will travel to Darwin to meet in a quarter-final at Marrara.

The exact dates for the opening weekend have yet to be determined, while the Grand Final of the Wizard Home Loans Cup will take place on 12 March. In 2004, the rules of the competition determined that the final would be played in the home state of the finalist that kicked the most goals in the lead-up.

The home and away draw will be released on Thursday.

Week One (Feb 19-21)
1.Hawthorn vs St Kilda, Telstra Dome
2. Western Bulldogs vs Sydney, Telstra Dome/Optus Oval
3. Brisbane vs Melbourne, Bundaberg Rum Stadium
4. Carlton vs Essendon, Telstra Dome
5. Fremantle vs West Coast Eagles, Subiaco
6. Collingwood vs Richmond, Telstra Dome
7. Kangaroos vs Geelong, Manuka Oval
8. Adelaide vs Port Adelaide, AAMI Stadium

WEEK Week Two (Feb 26-28)
9. Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2, Aurora Stadium
10. Winner Match 3 vs Winner Match 4, TBA
11. Winner Match 5 vs Winner Match 6, Marrara
12. Winner Match 7 vs Winner Match 8, TBA

Week Three (4-5 March)
13.1st Semi: Winner Match 9 vs Winner Match 10, TBA
14. 2nd Semi: inner Match 11 vs Winner Match 12, TBA

Grand Final (12 March)
15. Winner Match 13 vs Winner Match 14, TBA

 

[footballphantom]

May I be the first to say hope we lose and you win

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I wonder if Chris Ladhams will get a game...

 

[crowie]

What/where is Aurora Stadium?

 

[maccas_no1]

Why do we always play Port in the Wizard Cup or if we dont play them in the WC we will play a trail game against them?????Cant we possibly play some other team, it is getting a little boring

 

[MRobbo]

What/where is Aurora Stadium?

York Park,Launceston

 

[raboyle]

May I be the first to say hope we lose and you win

$250,000 for four weeks work? I don't think the Crows would have a problem with that.

The Power makes over $700k for three pre-season cups and you think it isn't worth it?

 

[crowie]

York Park,Launceston

cheers mate

 

[footballphantom]

$250,000 for four weeks work? I don't think the Crows would have a problem with that.

The Power makes over $700k for three pre-season cups and you think it isn't worth it?

I do not like the rules or the way it is done now. I prefer a round robin series and I loathe that 9 point rule.

Still if it is the money you are after then it is worth it.

 

[raboyle]

Don't teams who win the Wizard Cup get more money than those who win the Premiership?

Not saying that the major premiership is nothing of course.

 

[PrideOf]

I know it's protocol to unfurl your premiership flag in the home and away, but don't be at all surprised if it's unfurled in the Wizzy Cup next year.

 

[Macca19]

Don't teams who win the Wizard Cup get more money than those who win the Premiership?

I wouldnt think so unless something has changed recently.

I do believe that the winner of the Mclleland Trophy (top at end of Minor ROund) gets more money than the Premisehip winner tho.

 

[Tyson20]

I know it's protocol to unfurl your premiership flag in the home and away, but don't be at all surprised if it's unfurled in the Wizzy Cup next year.

different competition, the AFL and its Sponsors wouldnt allow it!

 

[dA Crow]

May I be the first to say hope we lose and you win

Why? you win that you may be able to afford some rockies