The Ladder

[hammo]

Originally posted by penga
speaking of which, what is the record with port vs adelaide, who has the wood on who?

I think Port has won the last four or five - hopefully that trend continues for Sydney's sake.

Our worst scenario would be for Port to rest players in round 22 ahead of the finals having already wrapped up top spot, but they take those "showdowns" pretty seriously apparently so that's unlikely to happen.

[j s]

Another factor is whether Port would want the Crows to be also hosting a QF the same week-end and probably drawing a bigger crowd. Very embarassing!!

I think they will be playing to win!!

[barry]

Originally posted by j s
That's the scenario that I have been expounding too. We would, in that case most likely be playing Port in the PF.

And four "Derbies" (assuming that you can call Syd-Bris a derby) in the first week. That would have to get a record first week crowd total. The AFL beanies must warming up their money counting fingers already.

80,000 at the G
70,000 at SA
50,000 at FP
sellout at Subi (whatever size that is)

Bit optomistic on the SA crowd for a brisbane game. I'd give it 45,000 tops.

But the best thing about a derby week in the first week of the finals, if we did loose, all the other teams would be spent after two "showdowns" in a row. 2nd week of the finals would be a gimme.

[snajik]

I'd prefer to see North lose to Adelaide, then have the Crows go down to Port the following week. This would have Port (1) playing Adelaide (4) in the first week of the finals and thereby nullifying Port's home ground advantage. One suspects that Adelaide should have the best chance of knocking Port off in week one if they are also at 'home'. Might be hard for Port to beat the Crows two weeks running as well.

[penga]

Originally posted by barry
Bit optomistic on the SA crowd for a brisbane game. I'd give it 45,000 tops.

i think the media coverage would be massive if we were to have a home final and watch the bandwagon roll!!!

[sharpie]

A home final in Sydney will certainly draw a big, BIG crowd. Everyone knows that Sydneysiders love a winner. That game would draw over 60,000 for sure

[barry]

Originally posted by sharpie
A home final in Sydney will certainly draw a big, BIG crowd. Everyone knows that Sydneysiders love a winner. That game would draw over 60,000 for sure

I wonder how a final would be fixtured at Stadium Australia. Arent the NRL playing finals there on the same weekends?
Are we guaranteed Saturday nights if we qualify?

[footyhead]

mmmmm... the plot thickens.
I doubt the NRL would get as bigger crowd to a final as the Swans.

[sharpie]

A double header? That'd be interesting! Watch them change goal posts in the afternoon, move the stand around!

Actually its not an issue I dont think, cos in the NRL, until the GF, games are still played at home grounds. But dont quote me on this, I may be wrong.

[hammo]

It won't be a problem.

The NRL plays one preliminary final and the grand final at Telstra Stadium, but the preliminary final is a day after the AFL grand final anyway.

[Sid]

Brisbane have a bloody easy finish, they should go alright i think. This is considering they have geelong and bulldogs.

I still reckon we'll finish on top of them though..

[barry]

Originally posted by hammo
It won't be a problem.

The NRL plays one preliminary final and the grand final at Telstra Stadium, but the preliminary final is a day after the AFL grand final anyway.

What about if the bulldogs qualify for a home final in the first 2 weeks. They use Stade de Oz much like the swans - for "blockbusters", so it may be their "home" ground for finals.

[Dave]

Originally posted by barry
What about if the bulldogs qualify for a home final in the first 2 weeks. They use Stade de Oz much like the swans - for "blockbusters", so it may be their "home" ground for finals.

There is no way they would pull as many as the Swans if we get a home final.

[aflconvert]

Originally posted by Dave
There is no way they would pull as many as the Swans if we get a home final.

A Swannies final at the Stadium wuold outdraw the combined NRL finals that weekend. League fans dont attend the first couple of weeks of finals in any great numbers ; thats why games are at normal home grounds then Aussie Stadium