Geelong coach Chris Scott has called the AFL’s long-term grand final deal with the MCG a travesty.
He has the backing of Sydney coach John Longmire, who said the Swans would love the premiership decider to be played at different venues.
Scott’s comments come as the Cats continue to talk to the AFL about potentially hosting a qualifying final at GMHBA Stadium should they finish first or second.
The Cats are two games clear at the top of the ladder with eight rounds left.
While Scott can see the league’s point of view about why Geelong might not be able to host a qualifying final, should they earn the right, he is much less conciliatory about the AFL’s grand final deal.
Last year, the AFL and MCG signed a deal that cements the grand final to that venue until 2057.
“I will say it once more, because it’s locked in for 40 years – I don’t think that’s right,” Scott told AFL360.
“Maybe that’s influenced by my playing days up in Brisbane, but we’re a truly national competition now.
“To have the grand final locked into the MCG is a travesty.”
Longmire said the Swans feel the same and noted this Saturday’s match against Essendon is the first time they play at the MCG this season.
“You won’t get any argument from me,” Longmire said in response to Scott.
“It’s a wonderful venue, but we’re pretty clear on what we believe.
“It would be great to take the biggest game in the land around the place.”
Longmire also said the Cats deserve a qualifying final in Geelong, should they finish in the top two.
Scott added that the Cats are well aware of the potential obstacles to that, given contracts that are in place.
“But we are working as a competition towards the idea that fairness should be the priority,” Scott said.
“At least in the first week of the finals, it’s generally accepted that the team that earns the home final should get it.
Larrikin
Roar Rookie
no wonder we hate the vics
Wayne
Roar Guru
If clubs have such an issue with playing at the MCG for the Grand Final, then hand back the Licence. The AFL owns the finals, not the clubs. If the clubs want to play at a different venue, find a league that supports their view
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Caroline Wilson called Patrick Dangerfield a whinger for questioning the integrity of teams playing for home finals but it is.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Caroline Wilson says it's not an integrity issue but it is.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
Someone will play to lose so they get a home final one day and it could be the Tiges or Pies this year.
Goalsonly
Roar Rookie
If the cats finish top and WC second and the tiges and pies are competing for 4th place and have to decide whether it's better to win and go to Perth or lose and play at home to the cats then that games outcome is compromised and that's an integrity issue. Caroline Wilson can dress it up however she likes in an academic discussion but in the real world with gambling monies involved and so much at stake it may not play out so painlessly. She can call the Cats whingers if that makes her feel better but she's shooting the messenger. Turning on Patrick Dangerfield in this way is disrespectful. It deserves fair analysis.
Jack
Guest
That’s what they do now. So Cats can finish 1st while the Pies, Tigers, Dees or Hawks can finish 4th and the qualifying final will be held at the HOME GROUND of the lower places team. Same with Etihad eg Dons, Bulldogs, Saints, Blues and Kangas. Not fair no matter which way one tries to justify it.
Raimond
Roar Guru
Play interstate teams in Geelong, but Victorian teams at the MCG.
Cat
Roar Guru
How are the ‘ground dimensions not set for a fair contest’? That makes no sense at all. The dimensions are the same for both teams regardless of which end you kick from. Kip isn’t that much narrower than Adelaide Oval, yet no one whinges about AOs dimensions
Republican
Guest
......there is no more befitting venue, for historical atmosphere than the 'G', the Holy Grail of our code. That said the AFL smack of double standards with their hard sell of 'national' in so many ways, its breathtaking. This of course includes their expedience of true footy heartlands, to grow their myopic television empire in non footy demographics, their sanctimony around match fixing et el......
Timbo's rules
Guest
The G is a crap ground to watch footy. Went to Manuka last year and 23,000 people had more atmosphere than a packed MCG. The flipside is Geelong don't deserve a home final because the ground dimensions are not set for a fair contest. Never have finals at Geelong.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Too right. I think the Melbourne clubs are running scared of Geelong. As a Crows supporter I know the pain. But the Cats get serrated protuberance of the bromeliad on this one.
Scott
Guest
Agreed Prez. That’s the worst thing about the whole deal. They need to allocate more tickets to the members of the teams
Prez
Roar Rookie
It’s a travesty. And on top of that, haven't even mentioned that members of another sport get access to our biggest game in front of paid up footy club members. You can support a team your whole life including fronting up cash for memberships and then if lucky enough to make a GF, you won't be there as your seat is taken by a cricket member............... It’s a travesty alright.
dbjm
Roar Rookie
I can live with the Grand Final deal. It sucks but I understand the financial reasons for it Having said that, to me it should be rotated between stadiums of a minimum size - say 60k, which limits the available stadiums to 3 anyway. Although that might provide incentive for states to improve their stadiums But the other finals should be played at the home of whoever earnt it. I dont understand why we still argue about Geelong hosting finals. Let them have them at their home ground!
WCE
Roar Rookie
first time i have ever agreed with Scott. The agreement to have the GF at the MCG for the next 40 years clearly shows how shallow and selfish the AFL is. It divides the national competition even further between Victorian teams and the rest and I'm sure if most Melbourne team supporters were honest they themselves would say equality is divided unfairly. For the bias at AFL head quarters - Its no longer the VFL, do you get it ?? obviously not .
Jack
Guest
Agreed. It’s a travesty and blight on the game that it’s truly not a national competition with the GF always played in Melbourne, inequatable fixture etc. Total disgrace and no excuses!