Geelong's first final to be played at Simonds Stadium?

[DCFCFAN84]

The issue is the fact that only a Fremantle vs Geelong final would be played there. If Sydney finish 3rd it will be at MCG or Etihad. How is that fair?

 

[tigs2010]

So the complaint is that the game will attract at least 50k fans so it should be at Etihad? Does that apply if Freo finish above Geelong because Pattersons doesn't fit enough people either.

Edit: If Geelong were 2 wins and 48 losses at SS this would be a non-issue.

 

[blue harvest]

The issue is the fact that only a Fremantle vs Geelong final would be played there. If Sydney finish 3rd it will be at MCG or Etihad. How is that fair?

This has already been answered 100 times in this thread so I assume you are just trolling.

 

[Bulldocker]

Why should it extend to all teams? I don' get this argument Freo supporters are pushing. Why, just because? People are saying ok play at Simonds but then Geelong's other finals should also be at Geelong. Why? There is no reason. Grounds are chosen based on who finished higher on the ladder, crowd expectation and ground availability. Saying one in all in is like saying if Pav plays at full forward in week 1 then he has to play there for all the finals. Ridiculous.

As for Sydney, if there were 4 finals on in Sydney on the same weekend, and they were going to get the lowest crowd, then they could push to have it at the SCG.

Fremantle people need to get this chip off their shoulder. Victoria does not have anything against you. Fremantle are my favourite non Vic side. This whole thing is nothing to do with WA bashing or prejudice, it is about getting the best scheduling outcome for 4 finals in Melbourne.

Well then, just stuffed your own argument there. As a top 4 side we should play at the G or Etihad and if Geelong is so keen on hosting a final at Simmonds..... let them host the Richmond/Port elim final there then!!!
At the risk of repeating myself FFS, "home final" means home state only. The AFL has mentioned this on many occasions when Sydney has earned home finals and for that they get sent to Homebush instead of the SCG. Otherwise the Swans would play all it's finals at the SCG wouldn't they?? And, once again, when GC earn a home final, do you think it will be played at Metricon or the GABBA? You do know the answer to that don't you?
In previous years the Eagirls and Adelaide have been shafted by the ridiculous agreement to play a certain amount of finals at the MCG and thus playing as the higher qualifier in Melbourne. So the "chip on the shoulder" is well founded when there is the whiff of another non-vic club being harpooned.

 

[treefingers]

Edit: If Geelong were 2 wins and 48 losses at SS this would be a non-issue.

Because then they wouldn't be top 2 but instead in a Melbournesque position?

 

[tigs2010]

Because then they wouldn't be top 2 but instead in a Melbournesque position?

Could do a reverse North and win every other game.

 

[Catfish Alley]

We could finish anywhere from 1st to 3rd. A game against Fremantle in Victoria isn't a given yet.

 

[HappyChappy35]

Oh crap! When was the last time you played Collingwood, Carlton, Essendon, Richmond or the Hawks at sleepy hollow? You only ever play the smaller Vic clubs and interstate teams down there. And certainly most of the interstate teams just pencil in a likely loss there and usually only bring a skeleton of their best 22 to play. It's exactly the same scenario for the Hawks games in Tassie. Don't get carried away with that record.

Complain to the AFL about those sides never playing at the Cattery, not us. We'd prefer to play them all there if we could. Richmond don't fit that criteria either since they played in Geelong last season and are one of the teams who regularly seem to cop a trip down here.

That's beside the point anyway. Freo can feasibly play us in a final down at Kardinia Park because they aren't a big crowd puller (similar to Port/GC/GWS), whereas other sides cannot because the opposite is true. There's your difference, and I honestly don't know why yourself and many other Freo supporters are having such a hard time comprehending it.

 

[Bulldocker]

Well it's quite possible that the Saints will knock us over this week anyway (if you noticed the lineup we're taking over). Perhaps the Cats will get the Swannies at Simmonds instead

 

[blue harvest]

Well then, just stuffed your own argument there. As a top 4 side we should play at the G or Etihad and if Geelong is so keen on hosting a final at Simmonds..... let them host the Richmond/Port elim final there then!!!
At the risk of repeating myself FFS, "home final" means home state only. The AFL has mentioned this on many occasions when Sydney has earned home finals and for that they get sent to Homebush instead of the SCG. Otherwise the Swans would play all it's finals at the SCG wouldn't they?? And, once again, when GC earn a home final, do you think it will be played at Metricon or the GABBA? You do know the answer to that don't you?
In previous years the Eagirls and Adelaide have been shafted by the ridiculous agreement to play a certain amount of finals at the MCG and thus playing as the higher qualifier in Melbourne. So the "chip on the shoulder" is well founded when there is the whiff of another non-vic club being harpooned.

When I said higher on the ladder I meant out of the 2 teams playing. This is the first thing they consider, then expected crowd and ground availability. You don't get preference over the other games, just your opponent.

Yes it is based on home state only, I agree, I never said it wasn't - not sure why you're bringing this up. In fact I've mentioned this several times on the Hawks board where people are whinging we should play at our home ground. This keeps it flexible for the AFL, Simonds stadium is in the home state so they can consider playing there if they want, especially considering the exceptional circumstances this year with 4 Vic finals with many high drawing teams. Personally I think it would be stupid to play it at Simonds though.

That problem with having to play games at the G was removed several years back.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

Complain to the AFL about those sides never playing at the Cattery, not us. We'd prefer to play them all there if we could. Richmond don't fit that criteria either since they played in Geelong last season and are one of the teams who regularly seem to cop a trip down here.

That's beside the point anyway. Freo can feasibly play us in a final down at Kardinia Park because they aren't a big crowd puller (similar to Port/GC/GWS), whereas other sides cannot because the opposite is true. There's your difference, and I honestly don't know why yourself and many other Freo supporters are having such a hard time comprehending it.

And that's how it should be. Same should be for finals too - all at KP or nothing for Geelong home finals

That's the injustice - that we are the only team the AFL are considering playing there

 

[HappyChappy35]

Well it's quite possible that the Saints will knock us over this week anyway (if you noticed the lineup we're taking over). Perhaps the Cats will get the Swannies at Simmonds instead

Sorry to disappoint you, but we should and will play Sydney at the MCG if that were the case. Have a much larger following in Victoria than Freo (South Melbourne connection and all), not to mention more crowd-pulling ability.

 

[Bulldocker]

Complain to the AFL about those sides never playing at the Cattery, not us. We'd prefer to play them all there if we could. Richmond don't fit that criteria either since they played in Geelong last season and are one of the teams who regularly seem to cop a trip down here.

That's beside the point anyway. Freo can feasibly play us in a final down at Kardinia Park because they aren't a big crowd puller (similar to Port/GC/GWS), whereas other sides cannot because the opposite is true. There's your difference, and I honestly don't know why yourself and many other Freo supporters are having such a hard time comprehending it.

Because, unless you can suddenly fit in 45 - 50000 supporters at the cattery, your ground is inadequate --- pure and simple. Don't underestimate how many of us will be over there either. Your members and supporters would be absolutely spewing if they couldn't get to see the game if they so choose. Then there would be another outcry over how stupid the AFL was for not scheduling all games at a big enough stadium to cater for the fans.

 

[Catfish Alley]

Your members and supporters would be absolutely spewing if they couldn't get to see the game if they so choose.

I reckon if the Cats surveyed their members they'd find a large majority would support playing at Simmons - even if they were locked out.

 

[Bulldocker]

Sorry to disappoint you, but we should and will play Sydney at the MCG if that were the case. Have a much larger following in Victoria than Freo (South Melbourne connection and all), not to mention more crowd-pulling ability.

So then, if you're playing the Swans at the MCG and the other elim finals are too big to move away...... where do you propose we play the Hawks then - Tassie?

 

[HappyChappy35]

And that's how it should be. Same should be for finals too - all at KP or nothing for Geelong home finals

That's the injustice - that we are the only team the AFL are considering playing there

Do you seriously think we'd entertain the idea of a final against Collingwood, Hawthorn, or Essendon at Kardinia Park given the capacity of the place?

Don't think a rare final against a low-drawing interstate side at our home ground is too much to ask for, and it just so happens that the planets have aligned this season. You'd be wrong in saying Freo are the only side who are on the AFL's radar for an away final at KP- Port, GWS, GC, and maybe Brisbane would also come into consideration in future years I'd imagine.

Either way, if you're not good enough to finish 1st/2nd (admittedly this could still happen if we lose to Brisbane) then you're in no position to complain when an away final is scheduled at your opposition's actual home ground. Plain and simple. And before Freo supporters regurgitate the "oh but why us and not other sides?!" line again, refer back to the first two paragraphs.

 

[manboob]

Because, unless you can suddenly fit in 45 - 50000 supporters at the cattery, your ground is inadequate --- pure and simple. Don't underestimate how many of us will be over there either. Your members and supporters would be absolutely spewing if they couldn't get to see the game if they so choose. Then there would be another outcry over how stupid the AFL was for not scheduling all games at a big enough stadium to cater for the fans.

Neither can your home ground - by that logic any final you are scheduled to hold should be held at the G or Etihad. Geelong are like Fremantle not a Melbourne side.

Lay off the AFL you guys did an awesome job of scheduling a ****ing rugby game at the same time as a likely final.

 

[HappyChappy35]

Because, unless you can suddenly fit in 45 - 50000 supporters at the cattery, your ground is inadequate --- pure and simple. Don't underestimate how many of us will be over there either. Your members and supporters would be absolutely spewing if they couldn't get to see the game if they so choose. Then there would be another outcry over how stupid the AFL was for not scheduling all games at a big enough stadium to cater for the fans.

Just out of interest, how do you feel about finals at Subiaco where thousands of people are also locked out of a similarly small and 'inadequate' ground?

 

[refresh]

Just out of interest, how do you feel about finals at Subiaco where thousands of people are also locked out of a similarly small and 'inadequate' ground?

Not very happy. If we had a bigger stadium we would use it.

 

[blue harvest]

And that's how it should be. Same should be for finals too - all at KP or nothing for Geelong home finals

That's the injustice - that we are the only team the AFL are considering playing there

Why should it be all or nothing, this doesn't make any sense, just umm because?

No you are the only team out of Sydney and Fremantle they are considering playing there. This is because Sydney have a far larger supporter base wanting to attend, not an injustice, just a fact.

 

[Oneiros]

My suspicion is that the Dockers are pulling a North Korea trick with the protesting here - raise enough of a fuss, then withdraw the complaints so you look reasonable to get brownie points with the AFL to prevent Eddie Everywhere getting his mitts on their semi-final thanks to the scheduling debacle there.

 

[Bulldocker]

Just out of interest, how do you feel about finals at Subiaco where thousands of people are also locked out of a similarly small and 'inadequate' ground?

True, but that is the only option we have. But you are proposing that we play at the cattery when there are two other far better equipped grounds to accommodate the game. Really??

 

[manboob]

True, but that is the only option we have. But you are proposing that we play at the cattery when there are two other far better equipped grounds to accommodate the game. Really??

We are a side based in Geelong. It is our only option just like yours.

 

[im_a_lazy_sod]

So many posters in this thread can't get their head around what our issue (as Freo fans) is with the prospect of playing at KP

 

[crocsta]

I get the feeling not too many Freo supporters will travel for the first final. They're more likely to wait and go to final the second week at home and then travel for Prelim and GF if they make it through. I just can't see many fans travelling three times in four weeks of the finals to Melbourne so most will choose to watch the first final on TV. Crowd for Geelog v Freo will be a disappointed if at Etihad.

AFL would be crazy not to take this opportunity for a Geelong home final. The atmosphere around town would be electric compared to a soulless venue like Etihad.