GF in Melbourne until 2037

[Rascally]

The grand final will and should always be played at the MCG.

Completely 100% agree. I doubt any players would argue either.

 

[Bosk]

The GF should always remain at the MCG.

Quoted for truth.

Angry and bitter Swans supporters who don't like it are welcome to form their own breakaway league and hold their grand final in Sydney every damn year if it makes them feel better.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

No it doesn't. The grand final will and should always be played at the MCG. The home of football.

we'll conveniently forget Waverly then won't we

 

[robbieando]

we'll conveniently forget Waverly then won't we

and that Grand Final is proof as to why the MCG should always hold the Grand Final regardless of who is playing. Shit ground, shit Grand Final.

 

[Giants FC]

Just because something has always been done one way before doesn't mean it should be set in stone forever. The game evolves, the competition evolves. The bunyip aristocracy at the MCC may not like it, but the Grand Final shouldn't automatically stay at the MCG forever.

13 years ago, West Coast were wronged because the MCC contract at the time gifted Essendon a home final despite West Coast finishing higher.
10 years ago, West Coast were wronged because the MCC contract at the time gifted Carlton a home final despite West Coast finishing higher.
7 years ago, Adelaide were wronged because the MCC contract at the time gifted Melbourne a home final despite Adelaide finishing higher.
It was unjust, and the rules were changed; and home finals came in for the first 2 weeks of the finals.

5 years ago, Brisbane were wronged because the MCC contract at the time gifted Geelong a home preliminary final despite Brisbane finishing higher.
It was unjust, and the rules were changed; and home preliminary finals came in.

The natural evolution would see home grand finals for the team finishing highest. But to have a grand final contractually locked in prevents that. How many teams will be cheated out of a home grand final by this contract?

 

[The Falcon Strike]

and that Grand Final is proof as to why the MCG should always hold the Grand Final regardless of who is playing. Shit ground, shit Grand Final.

So if there is another good ground we should play it there?

 

[mjr_42]

we'll conveniently forget Waverly then won't we

You are aware that the only reason the grand final was played at Waverley in 1991 was because the MCG was undergoing massive redevelopment in time for the 1992 Cricket World Cup, aren't you?

 

[Neville Bartos]

Any interstate ground that hosted it, would have to put in 20-30 years of solid service to the game and earn the right to host it (were the MCG in working order). Not that it has to, but the MCG hosts it every year because it's earned the right after hosting the most games throughout the year.

 

[The Falcon Strike]

You are aware that the only reason the grand final was played at Waverley in 1991 was because the MCG was undergoing massive redevelopment in time for the 1992 Cricket World Cup, aren't you?

The point being - given some of the crap being spewed on here about the MCG - that i'm surprised we didn't just can the whole season if the GF couldn't be played at the G.

I made my point that i can't see any reason why the GF (and any other major australian sporting event like the socceroos) should be played anywhere other than the MCG for the forseeable future - that being the next few decades. It provides the best spectacle for the game, any game.

But for an expectation for it to have to be there in 50 years just because it is what has happened in the past is so inept and inward it isn't funny. Who knows what might happen in that time frame.

 

[Spluff]

Unless it's two teams from the same non-victorian state (ie Sydney v WS, GC v Brisbane, Adelaide v Port, or Freo v WC) it should be played at the MCG.

 

[The Donners]

Bullshit. It should only always be played at the MCG whilst it remains the biggest and best stadium. If it is supersceeded by something else in Sydney or even Perth, I see no reason why it should not be played at the bigger and better stadium (unless the Vic Centric AFL locks in contracts till 2189).

You do realise the AFL used to be the VFL?

 

[SM]

From 2012 until Perth/Adelaide/Brisbane build better stadiums
2 VIC teams => MCG
2 WA/SA/QLD teams => MCG
1 WA/SA/QLD team + 1 NSW team => MCG

2 NSW teams => ANZ
1 WA/SA/QLD team + 1 VIC team => ANZ

1 NSW team + 1 VIC team => home ground advantage to the higher ranked team

I'd agree with that, but organising the venue a week before the match would be insanity.

 

[SM]

You do realise the AFL used to be the VFL?

USED TO BE being the key words there.

 

[aquila]

I personally think it should always remain at the MCG, however, i dislike the AFL inking these long term deals.

 

[MaxHunt]

Unless it's two teams from the same non-victorian state (ie Sydney v WS, GC v Brisbane, Adelaide v Port, or Freo v WC) it should be played at the MCG.

Sounds great in theory but wouldn't work practically.

 

[DaBeast]

Even as a 9 year old GF day in 1991 felt wrong.

If Waverly could do the job, what makes everyone think ANZ will do the job.

Fact is it won't.

 

[Tulip]

to many things to name. the surface is one

and just the SMALL problem of capacity

 

[Bigrob_Jr]

Should have locked it in until 2200.

Home of football.

 

[dynamite_kid]

Remember the last grand final which wasn't at the MCG?

[YOUTUBE]c7J2madZVFA[/YOUTUBE]

 

[sabre_ac]

I've got no problems with the grand finals being played at MCG indefinitely if they fixed up the ticket allocation...MCG members on this day should not get priority and be forced to wait like everyone else. If its the home of football, then let it be the home of supporters from across the country.

 

[eddiesmith]

The AFL grand final will be moved to Sydney the day the NRL GF comes to Melbourne

 

[The Donners]

USED TO BE being the key words there.

That's right, the so called "Vic Centric" changed the VFL to the AFL has a sign of it becoming a national competition, not a Victorian competition. They've introduced Sydney, Brisbane, West Coast, Adelaide, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and they are about to introduce Gold Coast and West Sydney. Another example of the AFL's push to a national competition.

They've put in many millions into establishing non-Victorian teams at the expense of Victorian teams struggling in the current climate i.e. North Melbourne, Melbourne etc.

The fact that the GF will remain at the home of football has more to do with 110+ years of history than it does of any other argument you may have.

 

[Bayer_]

Like the FA Cup final being played at Wembley Stadium, the AFL Grand Final should be at the MCG. Not just for the actual game itself, but Melbourne during Grand Final week is absolutely nuts, and you will struggle to get that anywhere else in Australia.

Agree with the sentiments re: GF week, but disagree that you wouldn't get that outside Melbourne. Adelaide and Perth would go off their nut to have something this big in town. Sydney and Brisbane, unlikely in our lifetime.

 

[PowerForGood]

The AFL Grand Final should always be played at the MCG.

However, because of the spectacle only.
- Not because of history.
- Not because of some Vic-centric biased c**p.
- Not because Wembley - FA Cup comparisons (you do realise that Wembley is no-one's home ground and teams don't travel 3000+ kms to get there and isn't used to bias the league season)

But because it is the best ground for the Grand Final.

What I would like to see, in the interests of a National Competition, is the Prelim Finals to be locked in at interstate grounds - one to be shared between Brisbane/Sydney, and one between Perth/Adelaide. Set in stone. Make them big events. These states can plan for the games in advance, and truly participate in the excitement of AFL football.

Because that would be a true celebration of Australian Rules Football, not just a celebration of the history of the VFL.

(... waiting for the inevitable backlash from Victorian fans about "no finals football in Melbourne in preliminary final week"...)

 

[Geoffa32]

As a proud South Aussie I think the AFL Grand Final should always be at the G.

It is the best footy stadium in the land by a mile and has the traditions of all the Grand Finals that came before it. The MCG is a great mix of a superb modern stadium withc character. It is not sterile like any other new stadia. No other stadium will match the MCG for the experience it offers on GF day.

Also if it were in Adelaide it would overshadow our own SANFL GF.