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Yesterday I read an article on The Roar that suggested it was time to shift the AFL’s showpiece event to another stadium should the top qualifying side be a non-Victorian side.
Although there were some very valid points raised – i.e. the Swans, as minor premiers, are theoretically playing an away game on Saturday – the grand final should always be played at the MCG.
First and foremost I love the tradition within the AFL.
The Anzac Day fixture between Collingwood and Essendon is set in stone and has been for 20 years. The grand final is always played on a Saturday, in an afternoon time slot. More often than not it is played on the last Saturday in September.
A major frustration I have with the current NRL setup is that Channel Nine pick the kick-off time for the grand final. It has been contested over three different timeslots in my lifetime.
Everyone who follows the sport knows the AFL grand final first bounce is at 2:30, Saturday afternoon, at the G.
Secondly, the MCG is the premier sports venue in the country.
As a Sydneysider it’s hard to admit, but the MCG is far superior to the also-fantastic ANZ Stadium at Homebush.
The atmosphere inside the 100,000-plus seat stadium is second to none. The facilities are first class, and the view from all seats is glorious.
Despite the rise of non-Victorian sides such as the Swans and Fremantle, Victoria is the home of AFL. Even the Sydney versus West Coast grand final belonged at the G.
Also needing to be mentioned is the fact the MCG has a far superior playing surface for the game of Aussie Rules to ANZ Stadium.
ANZ Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium and cops a lot of different wear and tear as a result around this time of year. The movement in league is remarkably different to AFL, not to mention the effect moving seats and goal posts has on the playing surface.
In terms of a home advantage on Saturday, simply put, if Sydney aren’t good enough, they don’t deserve to win.
The crowd will be a 50/50 split thanks to ticket allocations, despite the fact Hawthorn will play at home.
Regardless, I love the tradition of a Saturday arvo kick off in late September at the G.
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