Calm before the storm

[sharp9]

Originally posted by barry
If Sydney gets a final moved to the MCG, then we should all bombard the Sydney newspapers with letters of the style "League finals are much better organised..", etc, etc.
.

Umm, maybe but leave out the bit about finals being better organised 'cos IIRC both preliminaries and the Grand Final are ALWAYS played in Sydney - no exceptions.

[Jon]

Originally posted by Jimmy C
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.

I wouldn't think so. The '96 GF drew 94 thousand to see an interstate team play a team with barely any fans. The AFL final is a stand alone event like the Melbourne Cup. Most people pick a team to barrack for on the day.

Also...the ground only hold 80 000 this time round...perfect for the year of the interloper!

[Jimmy C]

Originally posted by Jon
The '96 GF drew 94 thousand to see an interstate team play a team with barely any fans.

Don't forget-We have an existing supporter base in Melbourne which would generally comprise of old Sth. Melb supporters. I could be wrong, but I'd think that us and Brisbane have the largest Victorian support base of any interstate team due to both clubs' history in the VFL/AFL. This should guarantee great Victorian support for the GF if either side make an appearance, as well as drawing home state supporters. The Kangaroos don't have a great membership, but I don't think that would be reflected in total number of fans, e.g I barrack for the Swans-but the victorian membership (plus the number of games played in Victoria/other financial constraints etc) doesn't make membership worth my while.

Also...the ground only hold 80 000 this time round...perfect for the year of the interloper!

Good point.

[swansrock4eva]

To be perfectly honest, after having experienced our GF in 96 at the MCG, i cannot bear to think of it being held anywhere else, and i'm from sydney! To me, melbourne around grand final time is THE only place to be and no matter who's playing, it always will be from what i know. Aside from the fact that only Stadium Australia can rival the MCG in terms of ground capacity in the country, always having the grand final in the city that TRULY and, for the most part, permanently, appreciates the grand final itself. I know in Sydney, you look at the people, and the swans were everyone's team in 96 and now most of them go "pft! the swans?! AFL? ur nuts!" - mention any other team and you'd get an even worse response. Imagine hosting a grand final with that. It just wouldn't work.

However, imo all other finals should be held at the rightful places, i.e. the home ground of the highest ranked team - they've played all year to earn that right and nothing should hold them back from it, least of all a contract signed by people with less vision than most umpires.

[Bron]

Originally posted by swansrock4eva
To be perfectly honest, after having experienced our GF in 96 at the MCG, i cannot bear to think of it being held anywhere else, and i'm from sydney! To me, melbourne around grand final time is THE only place to be and no matter who's playing, it always will be from what i know. Aside from the fact that only Stadium Australia can rival the MCG in terms of ground capacity in the country, always having the grand final in the city that TRULY and, for the most part, permanently, appreciates the grand final itself. I know in Sydney, you look at the people, and the swans were everyone's team in 96 and now most of them go "pft! the swans?! AFL? ur nuts!" - mention any other team and you'd get an even worse response. Imagine hosting a grand final with that. It just wouldn't work.

However, imo all other finals should be held at the rightful places, i.e. the home ground of the highest ranked team - they've played all year to earn that right and nothing should hold them back from it, least of all a contract signed by people with less vision than most umpires.

I say what she says!

[motorace_182]

Of course it has to be played at the MCG for certain reasons, but it is kinda lame when we were the better team all year and they get the grand final at home. A grand final out of melbourne should not and will not ever happen