Despite a three-point loss to the in-form Richmond Tigers, the Swans have finished top of the AFL ladder, capturing the minor premiership and a ‘home ground’ final.
Unfortunately for fans, and looking at the recent record, the players, the Swans ‘home’ game will take place at ANZ Stadium, rather than their mainstay home ground, the SFS.
Greater Western Sydney games aside, the Swans have won just 6 of their past 16 matches at the Olympic Stadium.
I fully understand the reasoning for the shift to the 80,000 seat stadium, however Sydney’s biggest crowd of the season was posted at the SFS.
The pitch on ANZ Stadium is far bigger than that of the SFS, which completely changes the Swans’ dynamic and game plan.
Sydney have perfected the smaller SCG, and it is arguably the biggest home ground advantage in the league, at least on par with Fremantle’s large Patersons Stadium.
The Swans are not the only side who will have to ‘travel’ for their home fixture, with the Kangaroos hosting the Bombers at the MCG, Essendon’s home ground.
I’m a huge fan of ANZ Stadium. The travel is easily five teams easier than it would be to the SFS. The facilities are brilliant, the view is great from any seat, and lines are typically much shorter than at any other ground.
However, as a fan of the red and whites, I’d prefer them to be playing at the ground they are most likely to win at, and statistically speaking that is the SFS.
As the top side in the AFL, I would have thought the Swans would be allowed to play their first finals fixture at their genuine home ground, not shipped out west, in to what is geographically the territory of cross-town rivals the Giants.
I’m all for a grand final qualifier being moved to the elite stadium, but as a thank you to members, fans, and the playing staff, an SFS fixture is the smart option.
Slightly off topic, how brilliant have the Swans been this season? Ignore the last-up result against the Tigers, as the Swans, who were already assumed of top spot, chose to rest stars and didn’t have nearly as much to play for as their opponents.
Hopefully for fans of the red and whites, they can overcome a poor record at ANZ Stadium and book their place, once again at ANZ Stadium, for a chance to feature come the last Saturday in September.
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
For the record ANZ has a capacity of 84500 in league mode. It has a capacity of 75000 in AFL mode.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
When contract is up next year we should be right.
brian zhang
Roar Rookie
it was actually just shy of 60,000 that 2012 prelim final, though that is still down on what was expected which was probably around 75,000. To add to all the other comments, the ground at ANZ is not up to AFL standard and has not been for a number of years. The turf is disgraceful with players constantly slipping over the uneven parts of the ground that are changed over from the NRL matches. Crowds this year at ANZ have been appalling with 32000 coming to the round 2 match vs Collingwood, about 20 000 down on the average, 34000 vs Hawthorn in round 8 and again 31000 vs Richmond just recently. I think the main reason why Sydney do not play that well at ANZ is because they don't get a lot of matches there. In a season, on average, they will only get about 2-3 games and they're all staged as "Big blockbusters". But the low crowds aren't gonna justify that title. Last year against GWS, I think 23,000 came to that game at ANZ, this year at the SCG, 28,000 came. The fact that Sydney are playing Fremantle and not a team like Geelong or Hawthorn just makes it worse. However, a crowd of 60,000 during both ANZ finals may keep the Swans at homebush for now. If less than 50,000 turn up, then I think it's time to break that contract and head back to Moore Park. ANZ stadium is a Rugby League, Rugby Union, Soccer and Cricket ground, not an AFL ground.
brian zhang
Roar Rookie
I think you mean SCG mate
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
Axle, in terms of AFL, I couldn't agree more. WOFTAM. But for other major events, it's the only 80+ capacity stadium that NSW has. From this aspect, it is there to stay. The precinct offers heaps, but only when there is something decent on. The a Sydney 500, the Royal Easter Show, and the Big Day Out, all do well. But start narrowing down to the individual arenas and I reckon that's when they struggle. The a AFL probably look to Prelims against the Lions and Freo, and some of the Collingwood crowds and believe they can draw even more there. The Swans weren't exactly flying in 03 when they made that prelim against the Lions, but drew a crowd of 71,000. In 06, when they were undeniably flying, they drew 60,000 against Freo. The crowd against Collingwood in 2012 prelim was well down on what was expected (52,000) but then so were most peoples expectations of the Swans getting there. Why else would there be 20,000 less than the biggest crowd, set against Collingwood? Pies fans probably stayed home to.
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
Spot on ... should be played at the SCG, no question
Daniel Nichols
Roar Guru
Tbh I had two sick kids and I was feeling like, well not great myself and I didn't have time to proof read anything
ac
Guest
BTW - They Play rugby League at the SFS as well as Rugby. Would appreciate people getting that right. The NRL is played (Rugby League) quite a lot at the SFS (sydney Football Stadium). As for the crowd for this weeks game for the Swans it does make sense to play it at ANZ. 85K is a lot of seats and if a good crowd turns up will top what the SCG can handle. The Swans have a boutique base in Sydney thats for sure and they are winniing so you would think a good crowd will turn up. The Sydney TV Audience is a good barometer of how things are going AFL Wise for the Sydney Market. Sydney is always much fairer that Melbourne in its exposure to other codes - Media wise that is.
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
I'm rapt with the Minor Premiership but to call a game at Homebush a "home" final is laughable. The SCG is our home ground, it is where the fans and the players would rather be and is where the game should be played. Homebush may have great transport, shorter queues and whatever but what it lacks is a decent surface and the passionate atmosphere of a packed SCG. IT IS RIDICULOUS AND UNFAIR that we get to win home ground advantage for our Final but then are not allowed to play at our home. I think I'll go have a COLA now and settle down.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Because we play crap footy there. Because it is an inadequate ground. Because it doesn't have the same atmosphere (hence reason I believe we play poorly) Because the SCG is a much better spectacle for AFL footy at full capacity. But, we still play there BECAUSE of a crappy 16 year contract. Glad that's up soon.
conchie
Roar Rookie
Guess they hate the SCG as well.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
League fans only don't like it because it's not rectangular. Evicting a few tenants can fix that.
Shouts Chen
Guest
ANZ Stadium has a bigger capacity than SCG. I would predict that the crowd for the match between Swans and Dockers will be 60k.
Samuel Gates
Roar Pro
Come on, Daniel. How could you claim to be a Swans fan and repeatedly call their home ground the SFS? ANZ holds closer to 85,000 as well. They were able to beat Hawthorn at ANZ back in May so they really shouldn't read into it too much.
Axle an the guru
Guest
Waste of fu:k:n time and money.
Anthony
Guest
essendon's home ground is also etihad. this author knows nothing. the swans' record at ANZ is skewed by the fact Collingwood always beats them there.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
Only reason finals happen at ANZ is due to the contract we have.
Epiquin
Guest
WOFTAM?
conchie
Roar Rookie
It is pretty well known that the SCG trust in general does not like Aussie rules and they just seek to extract every last red cent out of the Swans. Get rid of ANZ and what leverage do the Swans have?.
conchie
Roar Rookie
45/50k will be very good.