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Next week reigning champions Sydney FC take on runner up Melbourne Victory. Both sides will be desperate for a decent performance, Sydney is still searching for their first win and Victory will be looking to make up for their disappointing derby performance.
This match has all the ingredients for another Melbourne versus Sydney epic contest except one, location.
This Saturday I expect 25,000 at the Sydney game. Atmosphere at Etihad will be okay; Victory fans are the most passionate in the league.
If the game was played at AAMI the place would be electric. Close to full capacity creates such a great atmosphere for everyone involved, especially those ‘A-League virgins’. A half-full Etihad does not portray the right image for football in this country; empty seats everywhere and fans are too far away from the action.
For first-time A-League fans Etihad leaves you with the feeling of “that was alright, but what else can I do next weekend”, whereas AAMI connects with fans, leaving them asking the question “when is the next match?” If John Smith is on the couch watching the game live on Foxtel, and sees this image on the television, the only reason he will leave the couch is to grab another beer, if he sees an almost full stadium, chanting and fans close to the action next week he may just be at the game itself.
After the Melbourne derby both Victory and Heart matches will attract new fans to attend, which is fantastic for the growth of the game. The AFL drawn grand final may have provided the FFA with a huge advantage, after biting the bullet last week and moving one of the most anticipated games of the season. Dumb luck of an international weekend may have played its part but at the end of the day football received widespread media coverage.
One catastrophic fixturing issue is that over the four weekends there is only ony game at AAMI, and three at Etihad, meaning any momentum gained from the derby will be lost by the uninspiring atmosphere of Etihad. This may sound like a witch-hunt against Ian Collins and Etihad, but the realities are AAMI is a purpose built stadium for football, as Etihad is for Australian Rules. I know that contracts have been signed and Victory are to play key matches at the venue, but If the FFA are serious about growing the game in key markets AAMI should be the only A-League venue in Melbourne.
Over the next month Victory have home games against Sydney, Adelaide and Gold Coast. This is a huge month for a team who are not in great form. Ernie Merrick’s men would greatly benefit from the cauldron like environment of AAMI Park.
The time is now for the FFA to buy the Victory out of their Etihad contract. The World Cup bid and A-League would greatly benefit from the two Melbourne teams playing at the one stadium.
Let’s hope we find a solution to this problem, and all Melbourne derbies are played at the new home of football – AAMI Park.
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