At the conclusion of yesterday’s games the AFL announced the schedule for what is going to be one of the most exciting first weeks of finals.
It all gets underway on Friday night at Western Australia’s Domain Stadium in Perth, when West Coast meet last year’s premiers Hawthorn in the second qualifying final starting at 6.20pm WST (8.20pm EST).
This will be the first meeting between these two sides since the thrilling Round 19 encounter when Hawthorn defeated West Coast by 14 points, the final score being 11.8 (74) to 12.10 (88).
On Saturday afternoon, Fremantle will meet Sydney in the first qualifying final for the second year in a row. The blockbuster game will also be played at Domain Stadium starting at 1.20pm WST (3.20pm EST).
Fremantle were given the choice to play on either Friday or Saturday but chose to play on Saturday.
The Western Bulldogs will play their first final since 2010 against the Adelaide Crows on Saturday night at the MCG, in a sudden death game starting at 7.20pm EST.
The AFL has rejected a Western Bulldogs home final at Etihad Stadium, as they believe the potential crowd for the game will require the high capacity of the MCG.
The Adelaide Crows have played nine games at the MCG since the start of 2012, that’s three more games than the Bulldogs have played at the venue.
Week one of finals ends on Sunday at the MCG when Richmond meets North Melbourne for the second week in a row, the sudden death game starts at 3.20pm EST.
The Tigers and Kangaroos met on Friday night at Etihad Stadium and Richmond were 41-point winners, although the Kangaroos did rest nine of their players in that game.
Week One finals schedule
Second qualifying final – West Coast versus Hawthorn
Friday night at Domain Stadium, starting at 6.20pm WST (8.20pm EST)
First qualifying final – Fremantle versus Sydney
Saturday at Domain Stadium, starting at 1.20pm WST (3.20pm EST)
Second elimination final – Western Bulldogs versus Adelaide
Saturday night at MCG, Starting at 7.20pm EST
First elimination final – Richmond versus North Melbourne
Sunday at MCG, starting at 3.20pm EST
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
Interstate teams have the same grievance rights in respect to hosting the grand final, i.e. regardless of whether they finished higher than their opponent, the game will be held at the MCG. Apart from commercial interests, the most persuasive argument to the public is that it is in the game's best interest to have the grand final held at the MCG, the home of football. For the same reason, as a Doggies supporter, I'm happy with playing Adelaide at the MCG, because it's in the public's best interests to hold it there (due to capacity) and also from a club point of view it's great experience on our quest to become a more regular finals participant.
Anonymous
Roar Pro
No its about satisfying the MCG finals quota and the MCC members. The two QF finals are in Perth this year, there was absolutely no way this game was going to be played at Etihad. The AFL is a business, a smart powerful business at that. People need to get over their distain towards the them when they makes these commercial decisions. No amount of whinging from supporters will change anything. Embrace the fact you are hosting a final at the mighty MCG instead of being a pessimist about the situation.
Paul W
Guest
You put up the example of the Saints being made to play at the MCG. They should, or should have, been allowed to play at Etihad if they earned it. Saints in the first two weeks of finals against interstate teams in Melbourne draw crowds of only 35k to 50k. Pretty sure Etihad can manage that. In fairness Essendon and Carlton should too, but the AFL would never allow that. And given their elimination final against each other in 2011 drew 90k, so clearly doesn't make sense to play at Etihad. Although, even mighty Essendon drew only 37k against the Eagles at the Docklands in 02. Dogs finals against interstate teams in the first two weeks in Melbourne draw crowds of between 39k to 43k with one exception of 62k against the Swans. This is all about the AFL having different sets of rules for different teams and/or making up policy on the fly.
Jacob Bevis
Roar Rookie
What a ridiculous comment. Did you not see on the news stations last night that showed the amount of Dogs supporters waiting for tickets at Whitten Oval?!?! The dogs supporter base has grown a lot this year and I think Dogs supporters will pack out the MCG!! Turn it up please.
Griffo
Guest
There may be a more cynical explanation and that is it helps the MCG attain it's quota of 10 finals across a 5 year period.
Me Too
Guest
i'm not sure what your argument is? so the saints, carlton, north, and essendon aren't entitled to play there, even if they win the minor premiership. but the doggies are because they draw a small crowd?
Paul W
Guest
It's not special treatment, it's what we were entitled to. Saints aren't a power club. Economics say the Bombres and Carlton should play at the G. Dogs v Adelaide, not so much. Oh, and lo and behold Healy, Brown, Dunstall and King are also in our court.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I hate to admit it Lamby, but you might be right. Needless to say, my last two memories of the dogs playing the crows in finals games were not happy ones, both at the MCG, and on each occasion there was a decent Adelaide contingent in the stands.
Lamby
Roar Rookie
Adelaide will probably have more supporters at the MCG than the Bulldogs!
Me Too
Guest
It certainly would happen to the power clubs - if essendon or carlton made finals they would be at the mcg. in fact they have made finals and they were played at the mcg. the saints as minor premiers in 2009 played one or two games all year at the mcg - yet had to play their finals there as well. never were the dogs likely to play anywhere else so why expect special treatment now?
Paul W
Guest
The boys on AFL 360 appear to be in furious agreement with me too. With comments such as clubs earn the right to play their final at their home ground and the AFL has let the Dogs down with this one. Believe me, this wouldn't happen to one of the power clubs and that's why it gets up our collective noses.
Xavier Smith
Roar Rookie
Premierships are won at the MCG.
Younis Khan
Guest
*click* Nice
spruce moose
Guest
Again, there were extenuating reasons as to why. MCG unavailable. Attendance at Etihad was only going to be marginally more than at a sold out Kardinia. If the MCG was available, this entire thread wouldn't be in existence. The game would have been played at the G, just like it was the year before.
Gordon Smith
Guest
No that is not my logic - my logic is that if Etihad is such an advantage due to its variance in size from the MCG, then to make that the ground that you come to "rely on" may be a mistake as one has to be versatile and be able to play on all surfaces.
13th Man
Guest
Well Geelong got a final at Geelong so i can't see why the Dogs can't get one at Etihad.
spruce moose
Guest
Geelong were granted a home final at Kardinia because of scheduling clashes and usage of the MCG. There were already going to be 3 scheduled games at the MCG that weekend in 2013. The MCG turf could not handle 4. Geelong were then given the choice of Kardinia park or Etihad. They were given that choice because they didn't just earn a home game, they were top 2. It's not the same as finshing 5th of 6th. top 2 teams are given preference for almost anything. If the MCG was free, it was always going to be played at the MCG.
Axle an the Guru
Guest
Don't get me wrong Paul,I don't think the crowd for this game would fit in at the Docklands,but it is the best game in Melbourne this wknd so I think it should be showcased at the best football ground in the country. I understand your concern about the home ground advantage but remember at least Footsgray don't have to travel,Adelaide do and that's a good advantage to have.
Paul W
Guest
See my response above.
Paul W
Guest
So, once again. By your logic, if Adelaide had finished 6th and the Dogs 7th they should have asked for the final to be played at the MCG and given up their advantage to get more experience there. Yeah, that would happen.