The FFA’s decision to allocate Adelaide Oval as the venue to host Friday night’s fixture between Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar is absurd, but not for obvious reasons.
Adelaide United earned the right to host an A-League elimination final – a reward for the team’s ability and effort, the coach’s skill and determination, and the supporters’ firm loyalty for 27 unpredictable rounds of football.
It is an achievement that should warrant Adelaide a competitive edge in week one of the finals series, but instead Josep Gombau must prepare his side for the overwhelming nuisance that is the Adelaide Oval.
Those that attend will lour as the atmosphere seeps out the peculiar hole we shrewdly identify as the “Northern Mound”, where the Red Army are unfortunately and foolishly forced to dwell.
FFA quietly selected the Oval as their desired venue, and for obvious reasons. Cast your mind back to the Round 2 match between Adelaide and Melbourne Victory, which drew more than 33,000 fans. The event was a financial success, therefore FFA has applied the same logic to Adelaide’s upcoming home final.
However there are five reasons the FFA’s decision is folly.
Firstly, Adelaide United have only sold out Coopers Stadium once this season – the inaugural FFA Cup Final attracted 16,142 fans as Adelaide defeated Perth Glory 1-0. With this statistic, it is questionable whether Adelaide has the pulling power to draw a sell out crowd in Friday’s elimination final even with the game at Coopers.
Secondly, had it been Melbourne Victory or Sydney FC instead of Brisbane, there would be greater reason to stage the game at Adelaide Oval. Victory and the Sky Blues are big clubs, and therefore attract large attendances, not to mention the fierce rivalry that exists between Adelaide and Victory. Furthermore, a large portion of away fans would be expected to travel, plus the geographical distance makes a journey more affordable than if fans were to travel from Brisbane. The two Adelaide/Brisbane matches at Coopers this season averaged only 10,950 fans.
Thirdly, match will be overshadowed by Sunday’s Showdown featuring the Crows and the Power, therefore it will be difficult to attract new supporters to Adelaide United with the media spotlight strongly fixed on the AFL. When Adelaide United hosted Victory at the Oval in Round 2, the 2014 AFL season had already concluded. Therefore, it was much easier for United to attract new supporters with increased media exposure.
Fourthly, many loyal Adelaide United supporters are disenchanted by the Adelaide Oval experience, and will instead assemble themselves in front of a screen where a decent view and atmosphere are guaranteed.
Finally, the Cost – the Adelaide Oval’s ‘upgrade’ led to inflated ticket prices, and if general admission were to sell-out, fans would be forced to purchase a reserved-seat ticket, despite half the stadium being empty. With fans accustomed to the hospitality of Hindmarsh, prices could be the Achilles’ heel of FFA’s decision.
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Gombau will take confidence from his team’s historical struggles when facing the Roar at Coopers Stadium. His players are sure to perform as best they can, and expect the majority of Adelaide’s supporter base to follow suit, however bitter. But this won’t change the reality.
FFA has compromised Adelaide’s right to exercise the competitive edge it deservedly acquired by finishing third, and a home final has been transformed into an exhibition match for the sake of some measly coin.
If the competition is to gain anything from Friday’s fixture, may it be FFA’s realisation that an ignorant and irreverent ploy is not worth the risk when the game’s spirit and integrity is at stake.
Bondy
Guest
I enjoy the annoying siren ,Lol . _____________ Atawhai good point , never heard of it ....
Woodo
Guest
Ian I can't be 100% certain but I do think I recall reading something about the Vic govt potentially reimbursing the loss of funds through change of venue
Waz
Guest
Hopefully that bloke with the annoying siren will stay away!!!
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
What does 'lour' mean?
Ian
Guest
One other point - a Sydney vs Melbourne final will be played in Melbourne and at AAMI will cost the FFA money. From a financial point of view they would want it somewhere that will get more than 27,000 tops.
Ian
Guest
Can't agree it's a neutral venue when Adelaide Oval is in effect in Adelaide. Speak to Perth Glory about your concerns on Brisbane being in the finals. We've gone ok at Hindmarsh in recent years so perhaps this move actually helps AUFC in that regard. They should still be favourites despite us beating them there a couple of weeks ago.AU looked in pretty good shape to me last weekend. Better than us. We have a long line of injuries and you can add Jade North back to that list. His appendix was just removed. do feel for the AUFC fans though. A packed Hindmarsh would be better than a half full Adelaide Oval.
Franko
Guest
I actually think from a playing point of view AU could be better at AO. Brisbane and Broich play well at Hindmarsh.
Rodger King
Roar Rookie
I suspect that the FFA would prefer a Sydney V Melbourne GF. Having stated the obvious i doubt or hope no discussion was had to help that happen. I love the AUFC and it doesn't make sense to play it at AO which is effectively a neutral venue and gives the ROAR an even break when they haven't performed well enough all season to warrant one. Like the article said it will be an almost empty stadium and even though the hard core supporters will be there, a lot won't. Time the FFA engaged with the supporter base at each club, after all without us they aren't needed.
AZ_RBB
Guest
They did. We had to play our home grand final at the home of SFC. We took some seats with us in return.
mattq
Guest
the decision may have been made but where is the coordinated opposition? Why are our fans just taking it lying down? WSW supporters/RBB would be up in arms should the FFA try and take a finals game away from Parramatta. Why aren't our fans as vocal about this atrocious decision?
Franko
Guest
But it won't grow there, not that fixture. 15-18k at a rocking Hindmarsh on Friday night would do more for the game. Anyway, the decision is made we need a win and a crack at MV. Is Carrusca playing?
Greg
Guest
The game should be played at A0. FFA has a duty to grow the game and maximise the sports exposure.
Jons
Guest
I just hope they don't put those advertising walls up too close to the pitch. At the Malaga game they blocked the view of the sideline and the back line so you couldn't even see when the goals went in or if the ball went out if you were on the bottom tier.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
Its unfortunate that the game isnt played at Hindmarsh. We all know that the FFA owns the final series. It only comes down to what will make them the most money. A packed Hindmarsh is an awesome sight versus a half empty cavernous stadium. Lets hope it works out regardless, even though I think its short sighted from the FFA.