September – what a wonderful time of the year. The grass is just that bit greener in September, the beer that bit more delicious, and the tackles that bit more ferocious.
Welcome to finals season, where the bermuda and couch fields are fertilised by blood and sweat. Where the dreams of kids running around in the backyard, kicking that goal after the siren and etching their names into the annals of sporting history, become reality.
Where the couch becomes the pew, Dennis Commetti and Bruce McAvaney become (delicious) pastors, delivering sermons and narrating the heroic exploits of the gods in the cauldron of the MCG or ANZ Stadium.
No, Swannies fans, you heard that right. You know that big stadium, the massive one out at Homebush that sits in the middle of nowhere, lying dormant, that really has nothing to do with the club, nor the code, but that you know you’re going to have to trek to come September?
Yeah, ANZ. Well, it’s that time of year again.
“Mum, Dad, doesn’t finishing on top of the table mean that we get two home finals?”
“Yes it does.”
“Well, why are we on the M5 and not Anzac Parade?”
“ANZ is our home ground mate,”
“No it’s not. We only played three games there this year Dad. Our home ground is the SCG.”
This isn’t the pilot to Australia’s version of Kids say the Darndest Things – potentially to be hosted by Grant Denyer, should he continue his John Farnham-esque TV comeback’ tour. It’s an incredibly valid question.
Why do the Bloods, as ‘reward’ for being the best team of regular season, play at a venue whose dimensions and characteristics offer absolutely no advantage to them? Why do they put up with below average surface conditions, risking injury to themselves and the opposition? There is a retractable grandstand that often covers part of the field for rugby league games, plus there is a widely-held view that playing conditions at ANZ are constantly sub par.
They don’t train there, they rarely play there, yet come September it’s Sydney in a shootout in the Wild West.
Hawthorn played four home games this regular season down in Tasmania at Aurora Stadium – one more game at a secondary venue than Sydney. Where do you think the team and their fans will be heading this month for their home games?
Bingo, that big bowl on Brunton Avenue, Richmond, Victoria, 3002.
The Sydney Cricket Ground is one of the oldest sporting grounds in the world, and is steeped in rich history. To abandon it when September rolls around, especially after its recent facelift, is an absolute travesty, and one that needs to be rectified immediately.
The agreement with ANZ Stadium expires in 2016. Brethren of the Bloods, am I alone in imploring all parties involved to ignore the undoubtedly lucrative offer from Homebush in order to keep things on the right side of Anzac Parade?
If you’re worried about fitting everyone in, open up the Moore Park facilities completely, a la the Waratahs’ and Wallabies’ campaigns – tailgates were setup, big screens mounted and an infectiously enthusiastic atmosphere was generated.
I’m yet to hear an argument that’s irrefutable, and if I do, I’ll handball to someone who is significantly more intelligent than me to slot it.
Let’s keep the home ground advantage as just that. If somehow, the powers-that-be decide it’s ever worth a chance, we must capitalise – we must march in droves, clad in red and white on the SCG until it overflows.
We must roar ‘ball’ louder than any toothless Collingwood supporter ever dared, cheer louder for our boys than any Cats fan ever cheered for an Ablett, and laud good footy more frequently and appropriately than any MCC member with a cable knit sweater draped over their shoulders.
To our boys, we wish you the best of luck this Saturday against Fremantle. It will be a battle of attrition, and although we won’t be in the trenches with you, we will be in the stands. We dare to dream that one day, the seats in which witness the mercurial exploits of our sporting idols will be in the Sydney Cricket Ground, the very seats that have already witnessed so much greatness.
bryan
Guest
Or it might be that the Dockers were just better on the day! Whatever the outcome,I'm sure Swans & Freo supporters will have a great time,& not give damn about the Stadium.
Rob
Guest
Given the poor crowds at ANZ for league I suspect that they will make a big play to keep some swans home games plus finals as at least they get a crowd. Aesthetically it looks better in the finals to have a jam packed SCG than a half empty ANZ but money talks and if the SCG makes it difficult for the swans to return a profit then they will keep taking the cash ANZ
micka
Guest
Dunno about the last paragraph, the hill at Adelaide oval seems like a pretty popular place.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
'The SCG & September should be synonymous for the Sydney Swans'. Personally I don't care, but I'd like to hear Kenny Callender or Sylvester the cat say it.
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
Agree, in part. Although, keeping their membership above 40k is now the new benchmark for the Swans. That 10 year Buddy deal is part of the grander plan and should not be overlooked. If they can keep him on the park well into his 30's, and if they keep playing finals footy for the next 3 years, then it is not outrageous to think they could move to a roof covered 74,000 capacity ANZ. They could run into ticketing issues next season if they win a flag this year. With membership swelling over 40k this year, a flag could see even more growth in 2015. The SCG is only 47,000 capacity. I know not every member goes each week and there are some of those horrid non ticketed memberships in that, but the number of tickets for the public, and opposition is dwindling. They could out grow the ground by the end of 2016. They would be starting to set membership targets beyond 45k and towards 50k. I have mates who are Eagles fans that are on a membership waiting list and have been for several years. I don't think the Swans will want to get in that situation. Some of this might be a bit pie in the sky but they would be considering all of this.
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
Why not? Anything is possible. Spotless only holds 25,000, they have 13,000 members and they aren't winning games. They have surpassed the Swans members that they had in their infancy of the early 80's, in a sporting environment that is far more competitive now. Give them 3-5 years and that member figure will grow. Can you not identify with what the Dockers and Eagles have done for the past 20 years? Two rivals using the same Stadium. And they are about to both move to a new Stadium. They are both developing bases elsewhere for training, one in Cockburn and one in Lathlain Park. The home ground being tied to the clubs name and geographic location is perhaps a thing of the past. It's perhaps more reserved for League and Soccer. The amount of teams that share home grounds these days says it isn't as important anymore. When they put a roof on ANZ, do you think the Swans and GWS are going to want to play in the wet at the SCG and Spotless. Do you think the AFL will want that? What do you think fans would prefer to do? Do you think the AFL might like to promote going to watch Buddy play in the dry? Most sound like a silly way to look at it, but I would expect it has always been in the Swans plans.
Rocco75
Guest
Peter as long as the Swans are successful, they will have decent membership BUT (just like other Sydney teams and the Brisbane Lions in the AFL) if the AFL allow them to have a few bad seasons then I doubt you'll be seeing regular crowds of 50,000 and a home ground being ANZ Stadium for the Swans. Keeping their membership above 30,000 is the goal when they have a few lean years.........
clipper
Guest
Can you really see GWS ever outgrowing spotless stadium? The only time I can see is for the derby - don't think the fans would like it either - it's a great atmosphere there, not too far from the action. GWS wouldn't be happy either, to have the Swans playing next door in an area they're supposed to represent - it would be different if it was up north, but not right next door to their home ground.
Monstrous
Guest
Fitzpatrick steps aside when there is a conflict of interest. People have short memories. The Swans almost folded in 1993 when the SCG was the monopoly provider of big cricket ground in central Sydney and charged accordingly. Carlton threatened/offered to play away games at SCG to fill the void which horrified the other clubs. The Olympic Games was the best thing to happen to thre Swans in years but the $5m they gave the Olympic Stadium for an oval surface was despised by the SCG
Axle an the guru
Guest
I think it would be a mistake for Sydney to leave the SCG,they go hand in hand,that decision could cost Sydney members in what seems to be a very fickle supporter base. It would be a stupid decision.
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
Until the end of 2016, yes the Swans will continue to play at the SCG. My thoughts are the new ANZ deal will include more games, 5 or 6, plus all finals. I don't like it, but I think it's highly likely. The Swans aren't silly, I think it is all part of a grander plan to eat into the Greater Sydney market and capture more members. There is a huge untapped market in Greater Sydney and perhaps the opportunity to move games away from the congested city would help make them more accessible to everyone. In time (a fair bit of time), GWS will start using ANZ as well. It's logical. With a roof, it would be an amazing stadium.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
I didn't get that conclusion at all. The Swans will continue to play the majority of their home and away games at the SCG for the foreseeable future. What he's talking about are the training facilities. Currently they're not ideal in terms of space. So the question the club is wrestling with is whether they can sort that out nearby the SCG, or whether they need to look further afield. And either option requires lots of money!
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
That comment was aimed at the author's desire for more games at suburban grounds. But I agree about the SCG. The new stand is magnificent. If only the rest of the ground was as good.
Franko
Guest
Well it's not completely baseless, there is a conflict of interest there...
Troy Murray
Roar Rookie
At the end of the day us Swans fans need to stop whinging. ANZ still has 4 goalposts at either end and the conditions will be the same for both sides. Yes the SCG has a better atmosphere, but ANZ will still have 40,000 or so wearing Red and White cheering loudly. If we lose, it won't be because we played at ANZ. It might be because it was raining and the Swans can't perform in the wet.
Peter Baudinette
Roar Guru
Come on Swans fans. Don't make assumptions, just go a read Andrew Ireland's interview on their website that was posted yesterday. All finals are to be played at ANZ under an agreement with the AFL and the stadium until the end of 2016. Whether we like it or not, that's just how it is. Interestingly enough, I concluded from what Ireland said, that the SCG days are numbered. How sad is it that they have to split the group into 3 to put then through a gym session? The facilities at the SCG although recently upgraded are not up to scratch. With a roof going on ANZ, the likelyhood of that ground becoming the NSW Etihad, will surely become the Swans permanent home ground. I don't necessarily like it, but it's seems clear. You bring in the best forward in the comp on a 10 year deal that sees him around come the end of 2016. You hopefully win a flag of two and membership starts to rise beyond 40k to 45k-50k. The SCG is now bursting at the seems, poor training facilities, and the driver avenue carpark is abysmal. No way can it cope in 2-3 years with either what the team needs or what the members and public want. The idea that they can now (2017 onwards) perhaps 3 qtrs fill ANZ with the growing member base, keep those fans dry, and play footy in perfect conditions at every home game.....that's a big plus. The SCG has been the home for the Swans for 32 years. Realistically in can't stay like that forever. The end of 2016 could be the right time to initiate change. Freo and the Eagles are about to do it. The biggest obstacle at the moment is money as Ireland states in his interview.
BC
Guest
Righto mate.
Rocco75
Guest
SCG: 8 Swans home games per year 4 BBL games for Sydney Sixers 1 test match in January (3 to 5 days in duration) 2 international one day matches 1 NRL match each year involving Souths and Wests Tigers 1 NRL match each year involving St.George and Souths ANZ Stadium: 1 Rugby Bledisloe Cup match per year 2 Super 15 Rugby matches per year 10 Bulldogs NRL home matches per year 10 Souths NRL home matches per year 3 Wests Tigers home matches per year 1 NRL grand final per year 1 preliminary NRL final match per year (depending on which clubs make the final 4 of the NRL competition) 3 Swans AFL matches per year (not including finals) 1 T20 international cricket match 1 or 2 Socceroo friendly matches per year 2015 Asian Cup including the final match 1 A-League All Stars match per year SFS: 11 Roosters home games per year 7 Waratahs home games per year 1 rugby test match in June each year Rugby trial matches for Waratahs 13 Sydney FC home matches per year NRL finals matches for Roosters (and sometimes Manly if they are the home team) 1 Socceroos friendly match per year 2015 Asian Cup matches SCG is definitely underutilised BUT have had 2 major renovations over the last 10 years (Trumper Stand & Noble/Bradman Stand). ANZ Stadium and SFS have more usage but have had very little renovation. ridiculous.
Lewis
Guest
"Who in their right mind wants to stand on a muddy, slippery grassy hill without any cover eating a crappy pie when you could have a seat under cover and have multiple eating and drinking options? The answer is – fewer and fewer people." Have you ever been to the SCG facilitates there are just as good if not better and the atmosphere there with 30000 is better than ANZ with 60000.
Cat
Roar Guru
Nice conspiracy theory, if it weren't completely baseless, the reality is the SCG was offering a stadium deal thats even worse than the Etihad deal that is crippling several clubs, only when the AFL/Swans got ANZ involved did the SCG deal get some what better. Don't be surprised if ANZ gets games with the next deal as well for the same reasons.