Mega Thread AFL uses Simonds Stadium for qualifying final

[Topper]

I don't care which Victorian ground we play at, if it's against interstate opposition we have that advantage.

 

[H E Pennypacker]

Erect temporary stands a la Grand Prix at Albert Park to increase capacity as close as possible to 40,000, + guarantee Freo supporters, say, 10,000 seats. That might make it happen.

I live in Perth but will happily offer my services to help with the construction to get it done.

 

[MarkCatsFan]

We've played more games at Etihad than the MCG this year so would know the ground better. Have no problem with us playing our final there.

Though on the other hand it would be nice to have played a couple on the MCG already going into the GF (if hypothetically we make it that far).

Either way this is the AFL giving false hope. No way it will happen. Etihad is the more than likely venue for our final.


...Plus we need to actually earn our home final first. Lets talk about this after the final siren on saturday. Brisbane are playing for something now remember, it's no foregone conclusion.

 

[catempire]

Even if it doesn't end up happening, the speculation has been worth it just for the bleating from other clubs.

The best they can come up with is "we weren't told Simonds could be a finals venue" as though that would have changed the way they approached the season! Of course, the sooking has nothing to do with our formidable record at the ground...

The only valid reason to prevent Geelong playing finals at Simonds is capacity. But the integrity of "home final" is worth preserving/creating for the sake of 10,000 people missing out on tickets.

 

[MarkCatsFan]

We have played Etihad well this year and have played more games there than the MCG. If we get a home final then I wouldn't have too many complaints about playing Docklands.

 

[fpm84]

We have played Etihad well this year and have played more games there than the MCG. If we get a home final then I wouldn't have too many complaints about playing Docklands.

I'm not sure about playing well there this year. We beat Essendon comfortably, North and Carlton by small margins and lost to North the second time. Etihad would definitely be my third preference for the match, behind Simonds and the MCG.

 

[Hood007]

The only valid reason to prevent Geelong playing finals at Simonds is capacity. But the integrity of "home final" is worth preserving/creating for the sake of 10,000 people missing out on tickets.

Agreed. There was 44,000 at the Freo final last year.
How many of that was corporate boxes/sponsors e.t.c.

Selfishly speaking, the only thing that worries me is that as someone who has been to 95% of KP games over the last 6 years I'd be in danger of missing out because all the "September Specialists" will want a get a ticket because it's the fashionable thing to do...
But I'm all for it if it gives us an advantage, which it does.

 

[manboob]

It just doesn't make any sense at all.

There is an agreement in place that the AFL have to play a game at Etihad if there are more than 2 finals in Melbourne. OR compensate them the following year.

Why would the AFL break that agreement when there is no need to?

Unless of course Geelong has worded the AFL up on how much money the AFL will make at KP over Etihad

I have no doubt Essendon are going to get done over next year and play a bunch of Sunday evening games at Etihad so it's not really too much of an issue.

I think your last point is pertinent, they will make more money at KP than MGC or Etihad. And not to sound cynical but more money for the rest of the finals if Geelong is invoked over so a freo.

 

[Asty]

What can we do to make this happen? ???

win this week to start

 

[____]

If you guys earn the right to host the final in the first two weeks, you guys should be allowed to host it in your city. Hopefully the AFL allows fairness and common sense to prevail. You guys should also be allowed to have all 11 home games at KP as well.

Also hopefully you guys rest a few players this weekend to get them fresh for the finals

 

[Willo_]

I'd reckon a fair few Freo people will come over from the West ? Lets say 4000, would that mean that Geelong wouldn't be able to get all the members in ??

I would suggest who gives a stuff how many Freo people would get in or if they can't get in

 

[Shell]

I'd farkin laugh if Brisbane beat us Sat...

(not really)

 

[The_Big_Ship]

Cats v Swans at the G, Hawks v Freo at Etihad is my tip.

 

[CF]

I have to say that Simonds with the new stands and the lights is one of the best grounds in Australia now. Sat night final there would be awesome. They'd also have to guarantee more seats for Freo fans than what opposition fans usually get at the stadium.

I find it hard to believe it will happen though. Last years Elimination Final at the MCG against Freo drew 44,000+ and that makes it a good arguement for Etihad Stadium.

 

[SJ]

Out of interest, how long since we've hosted a final at KP?

It's never happened. The only senior VFL/AFL final ever played in Geelong was at Corio Oval in 1897.

 

[fpm84]

I have to say that Simonds with the new stands and the lights is one of the best grounds in Australia now. Sat night final there would be awesome. They'd also have to guarantee more seats for Freo fans than what opposition fans usually get at the stadium.

We'd be playing Fremantle during the day, to allow the loser plenty of time to prepare for their semi-final the following week. It's also only fair that Fremantle can fly home after the game, win or lose.

 

[4quarter_cat]

It's never happened. The only senior VFL/AFL final ever played in Geelong was at Corio Oval in 1897.

Thanks SJ, I've only been watching since the late 80's and couldn't remember any.

I guess sometimes we can dream.

 

[4quarter_cat]

We'd be playing Fremantle during the day, to allow the loser plenty of time to prepare for their semi-final the following week. It's also only fair that Fremantle can fly home after the game, win or lose.

Is KP closer to Avalon than Etihad is to Tulla? Anyone know.

 

[Shane Mead]

I do enjoy watching Geelong at Simmons Stadium. I generally don't watch non-Essendon games, but their is no doubt the integrity of the finals should be the top priority. A Geelong home final against Freo should be at Simmons stadium.

 

[CF]

We'd be playing Fremantle during the day, to allow the loser plenty of time to prepare for their semi-final the following week. It's also only fair that Fremantle can fly home after the game, win or lose.

I'd rather play at the MCG to be honest, that's where the GF is.

 

[David the Cat]

No CF...Simonds Stadium...if for nothing else for the LOL's....

 

[Maydok]

Cats v Swans at the G, Hawks v Freo at Etihad is my tip.

If we did end up playing the Swans at the G, the Hawks and Freo would still be welcome to use Simonds. With any luck neither of them would win.

 

[kickazz]

Won't happen. Not this year at least.

So why are the AFL saying they are thinking about it? Two words - carrot and stick.

Carrot: To build up the reputation of the ground and hope to get more funding ( from governemnt, GFC, etc) to improve it even further.

Stick: Just to remind the Etihad Stadium people that there are other options and that they should not rest on their laurels. Puts AFL in a better negotiating position.

 

[Isaac Norm Smith]

Really hope that this eventuates. Can see Freo officials whinging about it though. Their excuse will be that the capacity isn't great enough and too many of their fans will miss out on a ticket to see the game. The real reason of course is they know they have very little chance of beating us at Simonds compared with Etihad. Looking at their board, they have gone from Super confident to crapping themselves. What happened to their motto any team, anywhere?

 

[Isaac Norm Smith]

Won't happen. Not this year at least.

So why are the AFL saying they are thinking about it? Two words - carrot and stick.

Carrot: To build up the reputation of the ground and hope to get more funding ( from governemnt, GFC, etc) to improve it even further.

Stick: Just to remind the Etihad Stadium people that there are other options and that they should not rest on their laurels. Puts AFL in a better negotiating position.

Yeah, sadly I think that this might be the case. You never know though. Here's hoping for a Saturday MCG double header if we can't play at Simonds.