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

[bulletproof]

Some questions

If I stay in Melbourne,
how is the public transport to Geelong from Melbourne, do the trains run to Geelong.

Can I stay in Geelong?
Are there any good hotels in Geelong, will I be able to get a booking.
How much will a cab cost to Geelong from Tullamarine.
What is there to do in Geelong aside from the footy.
Where is Geelong?

Trains run from Melbourne to south Geelong ( takes about 70m), which is 5 minute walk to ground.

Tullamarine to Geelong is 70 minute drive so I wouldn't get a cab.

Geelong is a major city, there are hotels, obviously.

 

[clogged]

I have no problem with wherever it is played, so long it is clearly explained where finals may be played at the beginning of the season. As it stood at the start of the year there were six possible finals venues: MCG, Docklands, Homebush, Gabba, Football Park and Subiaco. Clubs and fans could accordingly plan in advance.

Now two weeks before the finals the AFL throw in a new option. I am sure this is to deflect from the ongoing drugs saga, but I really wouldn't have expected this kind of amateurishness.

 

[ManWithNoName]

If it was Collingwood we were playing it would be at the G, but becuase it is one of the smaller teams, the mach has already been shunted to a lesser ground, Etihad? KP? really a difference?

Would Adelaide play at KP or Etihad? The Dogs? Melbourne?

It's unfair in the sense that Freo, Port, GWS and GC have to go play at KP while other clubs get a MUCH easier task in playing the Cats at Etihad.

Really? Why is that?

No interest in this season anymore. Have snapped my AFL Membership card. Will go Saturday night and then not even bother watching any of the finals, let alone going.

 

[Glenn_]

Only if the Swans can play a home final at the SCG.

 

[Gaz_Brownlow]

We have been in football for over 150 years and am not ever aware of us playing a single final at home.

Clearly there is fairness issues in the fixture. Obviously GFs are always at MCG so ultimately advantage Melbourne based clubs and disadvantages any interstate club.....for Geelong, the disadvantage is minimal, but at the same time it is clearly not our home.

I believe that Geelong, should they earn the right to host a final, should have the right to host the final under current circumstances against Freo. We have a capacity of 34k and it via recent finals attendances, there aren't too many more expected! Freo can argue about accommodating there supporters, but if it were the opposite situation how many non Freo members would have access to Subiaco?

Regardless, it would be deplorable that Collingwood and Richmond will be given priority to host finals matches ahead of a likely second placed Geelong.....that is the biggest fixture parameter the AFL needs to sort out.

 

[Geelongsince1984]

I think its a great idea. First ever final in geelong, can be under lights too. History was made with the lights, so why not a final.
Maybe freo remember being pants last time they were there and thats why they dont wanna play, plus they havent lost a game at etihad. lols.

 

[#CATS11#]

seriously to the people who said the facilities at Simmonds is crap and the ground is crap must not have been there cause ummm HELLO they have upgraded and spent how much ... so many people are amazed at the place and im talking people who aint geelong supporters ... If Freo have a problem well end up 1st or 2nd on the ladder and you will have a home final but geelong earned there spot and earned there home final so really its part of AFL

 

[tazaa]

I think it would be awesome..

I still remember 1997 QF - Geelong (2nd) vs North Melbourne (7th) at the MCG - (back in the days of it being North's Home ground) - Remember thinking that was rubbish and ofcourse North won that game...


Don't see why Fremantle could be upset about it?

That game could be played anywhere and we would still win. Carey with a torn calf and all.

 

[ThatsjustDappa]

Some questions

If I stay in Melbourne,
how is the public transport to Geelong from Melbourne, do the trains run to Geelong.

Can I stay in Geelong?
Are there any good hotels in Geelong, will I be able to get a booking.
How much will a cab cost to Geelong from Tullamarine.
What is there to do in Geelong aside from the footy.
Where is Geelong?

Well there's this thing called a browser and google and you.........ah forget it, just watch it on telly and kick the dog instead....

 

[imperial_oz]

Well Geelong wants to play at the MCG and all those who say that finishing in second spot should give them priority should be happy to see that happen. Teams that finish lower on the ladder like Collingwood and Richmond can play their games at Etihad.

Arguments that playing at Etihad means that thousands of fans won't get to see their team play don't hold water when playing at Simmonds means that thousands of Geelong and Fremantle supporters wont be able to see their teams play because the capacity is too small.

The double standards in play here are extraordinary. Particularly after Eddie wanted to have Fremantle's home' final shifted to the MCG so that Collingwood wouldn't be affected by a short turn around. I guess the 'finished higher' argument is only meant to be used selectively to benefit some teams and not others.

 

[bombers_suns]

According to 7 news the game will be played on Saturday afternoon.

 

[jim boy]

One thing the AFL would be keen on is the electronic advertising along the boundary at Simonds. The return to the AFL from boundary advertisers would be alot more at KP than either Etihad or G, possibly enough to offset any loss from decreased patronage.

 

[manboob]

One thing the AFL would be keen on is the electronic advertising along the boundary at Simonds. The return to the AFL from boundary advertisers would be alot more at KP than either Etihad or G, possibly enough to offset any loss from decreased patronage.

They will make more money at Skilled than either the G or Etihad too. Given neither of the latter two will be a sell out.

 

[Pessimistic]

LOL at freo whining at the smell of having to play at simmonds

Cant they change transport modes independently or something ?

No doubt theyll also whine they havent had MCG access either

 

[Frigate]

I agree that all teams should be able to have a final, however the system needs to be fair. Every team should play there then, and it should not be based on, "If Freo make it, then they can play there, but otherwise no". This is hypocrisy, and does not promote a level playing field.

So I am 100% behind it if it means that, this will be the case for all games. It is what it is, and the AFL seem to just do what they want at the time so I imagine there will be a big uproar (as there would be if any other club if they were singled out for this).

It was humorous watching Eddie discuss a potential Friday or Sunday game at Subi in week 2. Imagine Eddie if the Pies had to play a final at SS.

 

[Kapow!!!]

LOL at freo whining at the smell of having to play at simmonds

Cant they change transport modes independently or something ?

No doubt theyll also whine they havent had MCG access either

Still unsure (other than maybe Steve Harris) as to exactly where this whinging is...

 

[BananaOnTheRun]

at least we'll be fresh if this does eventuate. hopefully the cats and lions smash the living crap out of each other.

 

[telsor]

It's not a matter of fairness, to Geelong or anyone else for that matter.

It's because there will (most likely) be 4 games in Melbourne.

They have 3 options.
1) Double header at the MCG. Biggest crowd, but doubtless with the MCG trust charging megabucks to get the ground right in short time between day and night matches, and upsetting TV stations somewhat).
2) Etihad. Convenient location, but smaller crowds
3) Kardinia park. Romantic notion for Geelong to play there, but small crowds, and an unusual venue.

None are perfect options, so doubtless the AFL is sifting through them (and leaking possibilities to gauge reactions).

 

[JUBJUB]

Some questions

If I stay in Melbourne,
how is the public transport to Geelong from Melbourne, do the trains run to Geelong.

Yes very regular services,more on footy game days

Can I stay in Geelong?
Are there any good hotels in Geelong, will I be able to get a booking.

There's hotels with in spitting distance of the ground

How much will a cab cost to Geelong from Tullamarine.

You'd be either mad or very rich to do that as it would be a 70 minute or more [depending on Tulla traffic] trip.Catch a bus from the airport into Melbourne & then a train to Geelong or get the Gull Bus from the airport which goes to Geelong and their office and Geelong city drop off point is only a block or so away from the ground.

What is there to do in Geelong aside from the footy.

You can wander around the waterfront and have a cuppa

Where is Geelong?

Obviously you have the internet,so find a map of Victoria

 

[refresh]

Looks like suburban football may be back

 

[THE EQUALIZER]

Brian Cook just revealed on SEN. that only 5,800 Geelong members purchased a ticket to last year's Elimination Final against the Dockers.

No wonder Simonds Stadium is a live option, but Etihad Stadium will surely get used after the AFL elected against a double header at the MCG next Saturday.

If Etihad Stadium is used for a final, it should cut the number of home and away games there next year by 2 down to 46. If it isn't used for a final, the number could rise to 50.

 

[eastfreo75]

 

[Freo2012]

Looks like the joke is going to be on the AFL. Finals in Vic are supposed to be at MCG or Etihad. Doesn't matter - we're sending our "B team" for the St's game, will freshen up our team - some bruises can take a long time to heal and then smash the Cats at the cattery week 1 of finals.

I remember back to 2010 when we sent a "B team" to face the Hawks just prior to the finals, got trounced of course, but thrashed them Week 1 of those finals

 

[Kapow!!!]

Brian Cook just revealed on SEN. that only 5,800 Geelong members purchased a ticket to last year's Elimination Final against the Dockers..

I can see what he's trying to imply there but doesn't that statement reflect badly on his club more than emphasizing the potential for the game to be played at Simmonds?

 

[pavsbootlace]

It's a Geelong home game. They should be able to play it wherever they want.