The AFL grand final could potentially be decided by golden point

Not that I don't agree with some of what you are saying, but Aurora stadium in Launceston is by FAR the Hawks preferred venue in terms of wins and losses ( at least for the Home and Away schedule). I believe Hawthorn has now won the last 15 times they have played in Tasmania, and of the 48 times they have played at Aurora, they have lost only 11 games. The MCG is not the big home field advantage for the Hawks that you might think. A website called Matter of Stats did an in depth home ground advantage study compiling statistics from AFL venues and teams, of games between 1999 and 2013. Of the 115 games Hawthorn played at the G during that period the Hawks averaged -1.06 points per game one of the worst Home Field Advantages of the list! While I believe that those numbers may have changed for the better in the last two and a half years because the Hawks are now 187 Wins and 133 Losses at the MCG currently, the point is, the G is not a massive home ground for the Hawks... UNLESS it's a Grand Final where the Hawks at 13-6 have a better won loss percentage than any other footy club in history. So there's that.

But Matt, the current era isn't being tainted. What's happening is that a few supporters of interstate clubs are desperately trying to obscure the reality of their pathetic performances in the last 3 grand finals. If you seriously believe a hot sunny MCG in front of a neutral crowd is the difference between winning a game and losing by 8+ goals, then I really hope you're an excellent musician as a living as an analyst doesn't seem to beckon.

You've really got me there Matt, compelling argument.

Joe you're correct I don't understand it because it's an unproven assertion without supporting evidence. Simply stating that something is true doesn't make it so. The unarguable fact is that plenty of interstate teams have won premierships at the MCG and will do so again once Hawthorn's current era of dominance comes to an end. The equally unarguable fact is that on GF day the MCG is as close to a completely neutral venue as it's possible to get without spending a lazy $1b on a Wembley type stadium that is used only a handful of times a year. There is no home crowd advantage and last year it was 31 degrees for heaven's sake, hardly an alien environment for a Perth based team. The fact is over the past 2 years we have had two extremely one sided games resulting from the pitiful performances of WC and the swans. Venue has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Get with the times Kurt.

Great response! I can just see all the football departments gnashing their teeth at this capricious change. I mean, this COMPLETELY changes the strategy of any team planning on winning the premiership this year!

Sorry, but this would be the worst of all options !

Stewart, i said rotated (or a bid process), I did not suggest determining the GF location during the finals series... that is ludicrous. The GF location would have to be determined 1-2 years out. Rotation could be done in a MCG friendly way : Eg. MCG Perth MCG Adelaide MCG Sydney etc...

Kurt, you don't seem to understand how playing at home benefits a team. MCG tenants will always have the advantage over non tenants, particularly non-vic teams who might play 1 or possibly 2 games a season at the MCG... that's if they don't have to play in Tassie. You don't have to play the GF at the largest stadium, it just has to be a decent stadium and sold out. It is a national competition now, get with the times.

Pauly,as a musician I travel the country often and the topic of the Victorian centric nature of the competition is raised often,especially so around and during finals time. I find it interesting that Hawthorn supporters seem the most against the elimination of the unfair GF concept and I sympathize with them a great deal. To have their current era so tainted is equally unfair. Hawthorn sides of the 80's didn't have to face this questioning but unfortunately this side does and for that reason in the future Hawthorn supporters should support the GF being played in a fairer format. And of coarse we have to also think of the growth of the game nationally.

Ah, that must be it...

"If it’s such an advantage, surely the interstate teams should be up in arms about it? Only they’re not." No-one wants to rock the boat. Sydney dared spend all of their salary cap and had the COLA revoked. You don't want to get on the wrong side of the old boys club.

The reason I support a shootout in finals is that the winning team is disadvantaged by having to play extra time.

I'm happy for extra time to be used to decide the grand final, however I'm not a fan of golden goal. To me that just sounds too much like a gimmick. If the scores are still level after extra time, then they should just play extra time again. Keep playing until you get a winner.

'Hawks barely got over the line against Adelaide in 2012 at the MCG in the prelim and barely got past Port in 2014 in the prelim at the MCG" Thanks for highlighting just how overrated the perceived notion of home ground advantage is.

If it's such an advantage, surely the interstate teams should be up in arms about it? Only they're not. The interstate media? I live in Adelaide, preternaturally sensitive to any perceived Victorian bias. And on this issue, not a peep. Supporters groups, rank and file could all register their displeasure and agitate for change, but outside the sound and fury of a few on internet forums it just doesn't seem to be an issue.

"I’m happy for my team to play prelim finals anywhere, anytime. Didn’t stop the Hawks winning in Perth last year which just highlights the weakness of this excuse." Hawks barely got over the line against Adelaide in 2012 at the MCG in the prelim and barely got past Port in 2014 in the prelim at the MCG, so they likely lose those games if played in Adelaide. Victorian teams would be kicking up a massive stink if they had to give up home ground advantage to "interstate" teams in prelims. You are like little children that won't share their toys.

Fair enough Kurt,personally I think Hawthorns premierships are tainted,last year's especially and their are many people that think the same. It's unfortunate so many people think this way and a good reason to improve on the Victorian centric nature of both the competition and it's GF. Then of coarse we have to consider the growth of the national comp which is even more important.

I'm happy for my team to play prelim finals anywhere, anytime. Didn't stop the Hawks winning in Perth last year which just highlights the weakness of this excuse.

And all the current situation shows is how dominant Hawthorn is. Alleged home ground advantage is immaterial, much as it was for Brisbane, Adelaide, West Coast, Sydney etc. when they won premierships on the MCG.