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.
daniel
Guest
MCG is a multi purpose venue just as any other stadium, Melbourne Cricket Ground, and isnt MCC Melbourne Cricket Club? This is one reason AFL will always struggle in other States, may as well call it what it really is VFL
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
Is it too impractical, too far-fetched, too upsetting for the traditionalists to have a best of three decider? Not to say this was the reason for Saturday’s result, but this year we witnessed a clear home ground advantage for the teams who finished (the regular season) top four when they played each other. Also Hawthorn just played their 5th game in a row on the MCG, while Sydney had 3 games across a month to acclimatise and perfect their game at ANZ. Yet Sydney, who should have had access to any advantage there was to be had, found themselves travelling to the Hawks nest. It would be a real test of each teams credentials to play across three games. Imagine the extra drama to be had, the additional money to be made. There isn't such a big need to worry about a 100k sized stadium as the crowds get parcelled out across 2 or 3 games. It certainly stops a sides getting an undue home ground advantage when they finished lower on the ladder. The MCC contract could be catered for, with the second game always be played at the MCG (unless the MCG is the higher teams home ground then it would be the lower ranked teams’ ground second), whereas the first game would always be played at the higher ranking teams home ground. The series reduces the impact of once-off bad form days, flukey conditions and averages out performances over a series of games.
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
That is the thing. Even as a Sydneysider, you sense it wouldn't be the same elsewhere.
Shouts Chen
Guest
If all the tickets are all sold out, then what's the real point?
Timmypig
Guest
Daniel, "the also-fantastic ANZ Stadium at Homebush" ... wha ...? It's a vile stadium, poor surface, wrong shape for everything, miles away from anything interesting for pre- or post-match revelry. But good piece otherwise. Keep it at the 'G'. Right stadium, right location, tradition, etc. GO SWANS! Boilerplate: Sydney born and bred, Sydney resident, live an easy match day bus ride away from Homebush.
joe b
Guest
Getting tickets is the biggest hurdle... then flights.
Cunny Funts
Guest
I’m sure Saturday afternoon at the MCG will be another sell-out for the VFL. The match is set to be a thrilling spectacle. I’m tipping a big win to Misplaced Traditionalism over a Fair Sporting-Contest. I reckon the first goal will be kicked by that strapping young Irish lad Compromising MccContract, and I predict a best-on-ground performance from Rampant Commercialism.
Shouts Chen
Guest
I think that this is due to when many people decide to get on the plane from Either Adelaide/Brisbane/Perth/Sydney/hobart.
Brian
Guest
Agreed I'm going tomorrow but its silly how the AFL panders to the MCC and in modern times we allocate tickets based on who's been a member for 30+ years. There's an MCC led misconception out there that the MCC owns the MCG. Actually it doesn't the State Govt does and should get together with the AFL and ensure more fans get in on GF day. Instead of MCC members going every year have more tickets available for proper sale at say $400. Corporate s and AFL members who pay a lot and grow the game is one thing but MCC members are just going because they joined some club 50 years ago and denying real fans of the clubs from going.
Anthony
Guest
Listening to 3LO this morning & Malcom Turnbull was being interviewed. Said that, as a Sydneysider he was amazed at how Melbourne turns it on for GF week. Full of praise for Melbourne & AFL.
joe b
Guest
Yes,I think there should be more focus on how to get more fans to the GF.
Timber Tim
Guest
you can bring up 100,000 seating capacity all you like. Until the AFL decides to give 80,000 (40,000 to the two participating clubs members) tickets its a crock. The Preliminary Final day at the MCG is the closest many club supporters will get to see their club participate at the later stages of the competition. No problem with MCG hosting but 80,000 of those seats should be for members of the two grand final participants. You can still fill up 20,000 with celebrities, AFL dignataries etc etc etc. end rant
slane
Guest
Somebody made the comment on the other thread that we could have it that the minor premiers win the right to host the GF even if they aren't competing. If we could upgrade all the stadiums in the country that would be a very interesting solution. Essentially whoever finished st the top of the ladder would be winning tens of millions of dollars for their home city.
Hutchoman
Roar Pro
Surely no sane person is actually suggesting the GF be played at the home of the higher ranked team? In other words, we don't know where the GF will be (and therefore can't sell tickets) until the weekend before the match. Ridiculous! If anyone wants to move the GF out of Melbourne it would need to be done on the basis of a bidding or rotation system. Neither of which frankly I would view as superior to the status quo.
Martin
Guest
The downside of always having the grand final at the MCG is the negative perception that Aussie Rules football is just a Melbourne game, which plays into the politics or rivalry between Australia's two biggest cities.
PT
Guest
I'm a Sydneysider but the thought of the grand final being played at Homebush in a stadium that has very little atmosphere and is located miles from anything just makes me want to spew frogs.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
Keep it at the MCG, but open ticket availability up to more club members and general fans. The fact that half the seating allocation is taken up by MCC and AFL members is a joke. A combined 30% of total allocation for competing teams is extremely poor. Yes I have sour grapes because I missed out on a ticket. Bah humbug!
joe b
Guest
A straw poll based on the comments on yesterday's article was to stick with the status quo... from all participating AFL regions. The common arguments for shifting GF location : 1. Higher ranked team to host 2. Neutral venue 3. Vic teams having unfair home ground advantage 4. Other cities having a chance to host the last Saturday in September of Australia's game. i.e. spreading the love 5. It takes the V out of AFL The common argument to this was 1. No team hosts the GF 2. Equal split of tickets available to participating team's fans... and loads of neutrals. 3. Tradition 4. Great, large, famous venue 5. Victoria is home of football
Jack Smith
Roar Guru
I raised on the same article, but missing a few points, how it would not work given the case this year. Swans are higher on the ladder and would thus host. However... Two Sydney NRL Prelims this week. Sydney would not be viable for three of the biggest games of the season, with one being a different code. A logistical nightmare. It would not be fair on either code to push another game back to Sunday as it would leave the NRL Prelim winners with a significant disadvantage. Also, there are people who would go to the NRL Prelims but would want to watch the AFL GF. A lot of people would miss out given the timeslots this week. ANZ - is crap for AFL. It works for NRL because the ground does not need to be in as pristine condition due to variances in how the game is played. In AFL, falling over due to a poor surface can change a game. In NRL, it would be one tackle and there is not as much quick movement.
Anthony
Guest
A good answer to yesterday's crazy article, Daniel