Last month I wrote a piece about making the AFL draw fair. That was before the full extent of the Covid-19 virus was felt.
Since then I’ve had another think about the opportunity that presents itself with the unfortunate arrival of Covid-19. It has given the AFL the chance to have a least one fair AFL season were teams play “true” home games.
The chance is given because the crowds will not likely be in attendance for season 2020. With no crowds, the expected attendance for a game can’t play its natural part in fixturing.
The clubs it benefits the most are Geelong, Western Bulldogs at Whitten Oval and Carlton at Princess Park as these grounds are already in use by those clubs at least at U18 and AFLW level – and are trained on by those teams.
Others could play at their training grounds to some extent. St Kilda at Moorabbin. Hawthorn could play at Waverley, Collingwood at Goschs Paddock. Melbourne out of Casey fields. North at Marvel and Richmond at the MCG.
The only issue with some of the grounds is maintaining the current community restrictions (and these look like continuing for the 2020 season anyway).
With a true home-and-away season while crowds can’t attend, finals can be played on the higher ranked team’s home ground without carrying on about ground capacity.
Debate about the grand final being played away from the MCG could be had. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a firm believer in the grand final being at the MCG, however, for the other finals I believe at least the hosting team gets to choose, i.e. Geelong (yes I choose the Cats as an example, as they are the main club who is disadvantaged under the current arrangement) could choose Kardinia Park, Marvel or MCG.
Western Bulldogs could choose the Western Oval, Marvel or MCG. Same goes for the other teams or any other ground used throughout the season. This would somewhat even out the playing of one less home game for half the competition in a 17-round season.
All home games would be played at the ground of the home team. For the 2020 season, the MCG tenants wouldn’t get it mostly their way. The reason that is mainly given about the crowd sizes is no longer valid for season 2020 at least.
When crowds can return, maybe more consideration to home games and home finals being played at the home teams’ ground. The winner would truly have earned their title.
Hindsight is a virtue and now is the chance to ensure that when looking back at season 2020 it isn’t with the value of hindsight – why didn’t we try something different when we had the chance?
peter ostle
Guest
If the season starts with no crowds I think as a viewing spectacle, on TV, it would be better to have the games away from the big stadiums. If the next step by the governments is small crowds it still may be best to see the games away from the big stadiums. It may be that some facilities - restaurants, bars etc at the grounds, and in the state/country may not be allowed to open, or have a very reduced capacity for longer than other businesses. In Britain the government is kite flying pubs to be closed until near Christmas. As to home advantage it is not just the grass, it is the change in routine that can affect a player, or players. Or the wind, if you train at a location you get to learn the affect of the wind, whereas if you do not it seems a 'whole new ball game'.
dontknowmuchaboutfootball
Guest
The main issue with this proposal is the it makes for a second-rate tv experience. Suburban grounds don’t provide enough in the way of elevation for tv cameras, particularly behind goals (also won’t have score review technology, which arguably isn’t a bad thing). Also the lack of protection from the wind provide by 360 degree grandstands makes for worse playing conditions, more “skill errors”, etc. 2020 footy will be played for tv audiences, and for tv audiences only, so ...
Gyfox
Roar Rookie
Why not Richmond at Punt Rd? It's enclosed. Vic Park & Arden St could also be used if fencing was erected. And there's always Port Melbourne.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
Hi DTM, if done properly, the maximum the non-Victorian sides should travel throughout the season should be 8. 8 home games and 1 away game against the other team in their state. You could try to ensure that the Victorian sides travel outside of Victoria at least 4 times. That will, unfortunately, be the problem with a lop-sided competition in terms of the number of teams in Melbourne. That can't change unless you increase the number of teams outside Victoria or merge some of the Melbourne from 9 to say 6. That's a whole other issue.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
Thanks, Wayne you've nailed it about the home ground and this season gives us the unique situation of trying to give something to the games without the crowds.
DTM
Guest
This option will mean that many players are playing at a venue for the first time whilst some home teams will be more familiar with the venue than the traditional grounds. However, "Home ground advantage" is more than the ground or the crowd. A bigger factor is the travel. Even with a 17 game competition, you are going to get some teams travelling more than others
Wayne
Roar Guru
Kardina park is very Narrow compared to the G. SCG is very small compared to other venues. Gabba is significantly warmer climate to Tassie. All the grounds have something that makes them unique to the home tenants.
AJ73
Roar Rookie
Hi Brian, the point I'm trying to make is why can't, in this unusual season, play at the ground they designate as their home ground? No excuse can be given for this not to happen. It could quite possibly reduce the operating costs for the year because of using the suburban grounds as well.
Brian
Guest
Without the crowd home ground advantage is useless. A blade of grass is a blade of grass