So it came to pass; the two sentimental favourite teams won the AFL and NRL grand finals after long periods without success.
As my ‘Grand final convergence theory’ article demonstrated, they were also teams playing in only their third official grand final, and were teams of three colours playing against teams who’d last one the competition in 2012. It was meant to be!
But was it fair?
There was another, more significant commonality between the Western Bulldogs and Cronulla last weekend: both were playing in their home city against teams from interstate, yet the travelling teams were the minor premiers.
It gave the Dogs and Sharks a great advantage. There was overwhelming passion and loud support for both teams, with commentators estimating majorities of 70 per cent of the crowd for these teams. It certainly sounded like it.
As well as the huge emotional and vocal support, it meant being in their home city, no flights, and being able to stay in their normal domestic routines. Those are significant benefits.
I know this will sound like sour grapes from a Swans supporter, but it’s time that both codes had a good look at the grand final arrangements. Times have changed, it’s not the Sydney premiership anymore, it’s the National Rugby League, likewise it’s not the VFL any more, it’s the Australian Football League.
It’s time the location of the biggest game of the year reflected the new realities. Why should the grand final be automatically held in Sydney for the NRL or in Melbourne for the AFL?
Other codes in Australia and across the world manage to do things differently. The FFA hold their grand final at the home of the highest qualifier, so clearly that’s not impossible to arrange. The same goes for the Sheffield Shield and the NBL. Surely, in these days of multiple stadium bookings, that is not an insurmountable obstacle? Those arrangements work for preliminary finals in the NRL and AFL, so why not a week later?
There are grounds available in other cities, maybe not as big in terms of crowd capacity, but that’s not the only part of the story. The Adelaide Oval, the new ground in Perth, the SCG or ANZ in Sydney would all handle the AFL just fine, while Etihad or Suncorp could host the NRL. And that’s to say nothing of Eden Park in Auckland – can you really have a New Zealand team in your competition and never allow them to host the grand final?
Or the Australian codes could follow the example of two of the biggest football competitions in the world and simply move it around, choosing the location well in advance. The 2017 Super Bowl will be played in Houston, Texas, and the Champions League Final will be in Cardiff, Wales. In those cases, it has nothing to do with who is playing, which doesn’t seem to be a problem.
Yes, their markets are bigger and the game will sell out anywhere, whereas demand for tickets varies in different parts of Australia, but it at least raises the question of why a big game has to be in just one location every year.
Would the results have been different if the Swans had hosted the Bulldogs at the SCG, or if the Storm had taken on Cronulla at Etihad? We’ll never know of course, but it would certainly have changed the vibe of the game and the dynamics of the day.
Whatever the outcome, it would have been fairer. It’s time for change.
Bigj
Guest
Graeme, it's your old mate Bigj, thank god someone think as I do with the nrl that it has not been the nswrl since 1994 but Sydney does not what to accept that. The Afl has known and accept that it is a national Comp for a while now and imbraces it, just look at the big fifteen years only two Melbourne teams have won the Comp with 5 finals not even featuring a mel team. The nrl almost had a heart Attack last year with the all qld final. As for moving the final don't see how that would work as the mcg is the biggest stadium in the country and the afl does not have other stadium to get the job done. The nrl only has Suncorp stadium in Brisbane and Sydney siders would not travel up north to watch and unless Cowboys, Titans or Broncos were in no one in qld would turn up so that out. But still agtee
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
The MCC pays the AFL for every MCC member entry on Grand Final Day. Take out the 23,000 MCC members - 90% of whom follow AFL clubs according to membership surveys - and you still have 67,000 AFL club and league members - greater than the capcity of any other AFL stadium open now or in development.
The_Wookie
Roar Guru
Actually the Victorian Government banks on it being a tourist drawcard - and they've refused AFL offers of compensation before. And the Victorian Government is the over-riding authority at the MCG.
Angela
Guest
Yair, I get that, guess I was just trying to make the point that there's no way Melbourne is ever going to let the GF go
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
anon is anything but a Freo fan. In fact he's one of your mob, the Anti Ross Society Evangalistic Section. ;) I think he actually supports Adelaide, but he won't admit it as it conflicts with his role as "anon".
anon
Guest
The Melbourne Cup is the MELBOURNE Cup. The AFL Grand Final is the AUSTRALIAN Football League Grand Final.
Angela
Guest
I'll bite Cam: The Bulldogs. Are. From. Melbourne. It's their hometown. Fans don't have to travel and organise accommodation. I came from Sydney to the 2014 GF and it cost as much as an overseas trip. The team doesn't have to travel. Not just physically - after all an hour flight from Sydney I guess is next to nothing - but emotionally and psychologically. And of course coming from the other states is more arduous. As in the Sharks/Melbourne match about 70% of the crowd were barracking for the team that won. By any strength of the imagination it. is. an. advantage. The Bulldogs played better - they deserved the win however to keep denying that GF matches featuring a Melbourne/Victorian team against an interstate team have an advantage is a nonsense even if it is marginal. The teams from other states have to be that much of a margin better, which they haven't been recently.
Prince Imperial
Guest
Correct, it's an 8-7 advantage to the non-Vic teams.
Angela
Guest
Non-Victorian teams (v Victorian teams) win GFs in part despite the MCG and having less of a crowd yelling for them Victorian teams (v non-Victorian teams) win GFs in part because of the MCG and having a bigger crowd yelling for them. Non-Victorian teams have to be that much better to succeed, which sometimes they are, and Victorian teams a bit off the pace to lose, which sometimes they are. That it's an advantage is indisputable however the MCG is the best venue in the country. Moving the AFL GF would be akin to moving the Melbourne Cup. It ain't gunna happen. I don't see an answer in the immediate future so non-Victorian teams and their supporters have to suck it up, and non-Victorian teams making GFs have to get stronger and tougher.
Cam
Guest
Western Bulldogs played two games at the MCG this season, Sydney also played two games. Not sure that's a home ground advantage.
spruce moose
Guest
Anon for one.
Correct sometimes
Guest
We both know you have never left Queensland So what, why limit ticket sales that has no effect on TV
Aaron
Guest
You realise the NRL makes far more money from TV coverage than ticket sales right? What's life like in Mt Isa? I wouldn't know. I live in New York City.
dave
Guest
The grand final is at the MCG. I said in a previous thread how Freo supporters hired a bus to travel the nullabor,what a way to get ready for the GF. The best thing about the Melbourne grand final is that interstate teams have to be better to win it.Its harder for an interstate team to win at the MCG so the wins mean a little bit more. So sorry Hawks you really needed this one because 3peat has already been done by an interstate team.One more and you could have been better than Brisbane.
Tricky
Guest
"55-60k is more than adequate for a Grand Final" This is your opinion and I'm sure the league's opinion would differ
Tricky
Guest
"Since 2001 it’s only the all conquering Brisbane Lions and Sydney in 2012 who have been able to overcome the disadvantage of playing a Victorian team at the MCG on Grand Final day." Overcome lol!, this team you talk of a combination of the best from Fitzroy and Bears plus salary cap concessions - best list by far and probably of all time courtesy of your friendly AFL
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
lol Speaking of myopic, I think you could try looking past your rosy underpanted cheeks on this one spruce, anon is definitely not a Freo fan.
Dalgety Carrington
Roar Guru
What Freo fans? Name them.
Tricky
Guest
Actually it was the WAFC that bailed out the VFL in exchange for a competition licence for West coast. In any case if they didn't save the VFL someone else or group would've done so. Sure it was financially dire but to suggest that would die for good is ridiculous.
spruce moose
Guest
And the idea of a Perth grand final at night. Hilarious. Kids in the east will stay up till 1am to see the cup raised. Like i said...only the Freo fans are this myopic.