Calm before the storm

[dawson]

We are witnessing one of the closest home and away seasons in the history of the AFL/VFL and because of this - the outcry which will happen in September will be the likes of which have never been seen before so prepare yourself......

Due to the arrangements that the AFL has with the MCC, some of the finals which should be played interstate won't be, handing whoever the Victorian beneficiary is, a massive advantage.

The Eagles have already been dudded twice in the past but what will happen this year will directly affect the outcome of the finals series.

Brisbane at the Gabba or in Melbourne
Freo at Subi or in Melbourne.
Sydney at the SCG or in Melbourne

I know which one I would rather have if I were a Victorian supporter.

Four Premiers have already lobbied, the AFL even tried to extricate themselves from this mess but no dice.

Their salvation is that Collingwood who are only 1/2 game plus % outside of the top four sneak their way.

Not sure what will transpire, what I can be sure of is that once the ... hits the fan its going to get ugly.

[peterh_oz]

Re: Calm before the storm

Originally posted by dawson
Four Premiers have already lobbied, the AFL even tried to extricate themselves from this mess but no dice.

The AFL could if they wanted to ... play the game elsewhere and be sued. OR tell the MCC they'llplay the ABSOLUTE MINIMUM 42 games there, and not one extra! But they won't. Why? Cos they caused the problem in the first place ... Amd if they get off-side with the Melbourne media they're in deep poop.

The "its not fair but oh well ..." attitude of the Melbourne media is typical ... If it was reversed, could you imagine the outcry from Sheahan & co?

Maybe the AFL need to move a "home" final FROM Victoria in future - they will owe it to the non-Vic teams. Let the MCC stew on THAT!

By the way - I'd fight to the death if the GF was moved - but ALL the other Finals should be @ the home team's ground!

[robbieando]

Of all the interstate club, us and Brisbane wouldn't mind if we had to play a Perth or Adelaide team in Melbourne if we or they earnt a home final why????

Because it levels the playing field and with our massive support down here it should push us over the line. However in week 1 of the finals no finals will be moved because Collingwood will earn a home final

[midaro]

Re: Calm before the storm

[i]The Eagles have already been dudded twice in the past[/B]

The Swans have already been dudded in the past:

1. 1996 Grand Final
2. 1986 Qualifying Final
3. 1986 Semi Final
4. 1987 Semi Final

...and don't give me crap that the GF will always be played at the MCG. Its the AFL, not the VFL Extended Edition.

[robbieando]

There was no rules about home finals until 1991. So we weren't dudded in 86 and 87

[motorace_182]

1996 was a bit of a rort. we finished above the kangas, but the grand final was played at their home ground.
I wouldnt mind playin at the G against freo, weagles etc, as we have the larger fan base and perform pretty well there

[Charlie]

You couldn't possibly play the GF anywhere but the MCG.

[Cheer Cheer]

Well us in melbourne might get an extra game after all !

[Triple B]

Honestly, anybody who thinks the '96 GF should have been played at the SCG instead of the MCG is in serious need of help.

Sydney has less to fear from any shifting of finals. I have no doubt that it is to Sydney's advantage to play ANY of the other interstate sides in Melbourne.

[Jimmy C]

Originally posted by Charlie
You couldn't possibly play the GF anywhere but the MCG.

Under "Usual" circumstances ("Usual" being at least one Victorian team in the GF) that would be right. However, "Usual" means something else this year. Aside from the tourism aspect, it'd be an embarrassment if the two Grand Finalists were, say, both WA teams (or SA teams for that matter).

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Jimmy C
Under "Usual" circumstances ("Usual" being at least one Victorian team in the GF) that would be right. However, "Usual" means something else this year. Aside from the tourism aspect, it'd be an embarrassment if the two Grand Finalists were, say, both WA teams (or SA teams for that matter).

Why is that mate? Regardless of the umpteen thousands tickets to the Grand Final sold through wank Grand Final breakfasts etc, playing an all-SA grannie would still allow far more Adelaide people into the ground at the MCG than at Footy Park. And because of the fact that it is in Melbourne, it will only be the fair dinkum ones who are prepared to travel over.

They don't move the FA Cup final out of London if Man Ure are playing Newcastle Utd. I recall that once the two Sheffield sides were playing. But it was still played at Wembley.

Interestingly if it was a GF with 2 SA/WA teams, would they have a Grand Final parade the day before?

JF

[footyhead]

God the illogic of some of the arguments on this topic is boring.
The competition and its contract with the mcc affecting the set up of the finals system as it does , is not fair!
Until this gross inequity is fixed, the competition will always be a farce . End of story !!

[barry]

If Sydney gets a final moved to the MCG, then we should all bombard the Sydney newspapers with letters of the style "the AFL is not national", "I'm giving up on the sport as its just victorian", "League finals are much better organised..", etc, etc.
The Sydney media will lap it up, and the AFL will be acutely embarrased in its most sensitive market.

[swan_song]

I have no problem with playing the GF at the MCG as the "spiritual" home of football, even though it may give a Melbourne team a home ground advantage, which is generally admitted to be worth 2 or 3 goals. I view the MCG a bit like the old Wembley stadium in England, where all the final matches were held in the League and FA cups. The difference being that as the national stadium, there was no home team that played out of it. I do feel however that the AFL is retreating a bit into its homeland and with many of its recent decisions showing signs of it becomming a latter-day VFL in disguise.

[Jimmy C]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
Why is that mate? Regardless of the umpteen thousands tickets to the Grand Final sold through wank Grand Final breakfasts etc, playing an all-SA grannie would still allow far more Adelaide people into the ground at the MCG than at Footy Park. And because of the fact that it is in Melbourne, it will only be the fair dinkum ones who are prepared to travel over.

I suppose I'm wondering if the G will look a little less full in comparison to other years. No doubt, loads of people will make the trip-I'm just wondering if there'll be enough to fill the ground.