First final likely against West Coast at the MCG

[CroatianSwans]

dont worry we will play in sydney Port adelaide will slip up against adelaide and we will beat richmond and the st should beat freo, even better hopefully the roos beat brisbane

[SXP]

I hate bursting other people's bubbles, but after checking this article on AFL web site, there's a very little chance that the Swans will get home final in Sydney:

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=167207

[Damien]

Originally posted by SXP
I hate bursting other people's bubbles, but after checking this article on AFL web site, there's a very little chance that the Swans will get home final in Sydney:
http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=new...ticleid=167207

Not over until Port and Brisbane secure the top 2 spots.

And..it is only a home final if in Sydney. If it is at the MCG it merely another away final. The only bonus being that we have a strong support base there.

I am going to be extra p*ssed off if Essendon end up 7th. How unfair will that be?

[timthefish]

Originally posted by robbieando
Also whoever asked how many Swans fans in Melbourne will go, I would say all up at least 20,000 of us with a fair few down from Sydney.

while this would be fantastic, i think i'd prefer to see a 20,000 long red-and-white boycott outside the MCG so that the match makes a loss and the administrators decide to not persue this awful policy.

i do however realise this is completely unrealistic and if i lived in melbourne i doubt there would be anything that would stop me from attending.

[barry]

Originally posted by timthefish
while this would be fantastic, i think i'd prefer to see a 20,000 long red-and-white boycott outside the MCG so that the match makes a loss and the administrators decide to not persue this awful policy.

i do however realise this is completely unrealistic and if i lived in melbourne i doubt there would be anything that would stop me from attending.

I would love to see a boycott of the game.

Swans fans in Melbourne shouldnt be too concerned. If we win, you'll most likely get to see the Swans at the MCG the week after anyway.

The only way this finals rule will get changed is if this game is a complete flop. Better to change it now, before we are forced to play a Melbourne team at the MCG.

Boycott I say!

[sharpie]

I can not understand how there is anyone on here who can find a positive out of having to play our "home" final at the MCG. The only positive is for any purely selfish Melbourners who would prefer the team play in Melbourne because it benefits their bank balance.

No one can honestly believe that it will benefit the team. It is ridiculous to say that it is a good thing based on the fact that the GF is played at the MCG as well. That fact is not very helpful if we dont make it there in the first place. And 5 weeks travelling is going to leave our team ripe for the taking even if we do end up making it to the GF. As for having the crowd behind us if we play WCE, well it wont be as much as if the game is played in Sydney with about 70,000 swans supporters. At the MCG they'd be lucky to get a crowd over 30,000. And if the game is against the Bombers, well wont that be just fine and dandy.

[Rob-bloods]

Originally posted by sharpie
I can not understand how there is anyone on here who can find a positive out of having to play our "home" final at the MCG. The only positive is for any purely selfish Melbourners who would prefer the team play in Melbourne because it benefits their bank balance.

No one can honestly believe that it will benefit the team. It is ridiculous to say that it is a good thing based on the fact that the GF is played at the MCG as well. That fact is not very helpful if we dont make it there in the first place. And 5 weeks travelling is going to leave our team ripe for the taking even if we do end up making it to the GF. As for having the crowd behind us if we play WCE, well it wont be as much as if the game is played in Sydney with about 70,000 swans supporters. At the MCG they'd be lucky to get a crowd over 30,000. And if the game is against the Bombers, well wont that be just fine and dandy.

Agree with this. It is better to play a Weagle/Freewoes game in Melbne (as opposed to Dons for example) but much better for 60/70k crowd in Sydney however awkward for us Southerners!

[Beaussie]

Originally posted by sharpie
I can not understand how there is anyone on here who can find a positive out of having to play our "home" final at the MCG. The only positive is for any purely selfish Melbourners who would prefer the team play in Melbourne because it benefits their bank balance.

No one can honestly believe that it will benefit the team. It is ridiculous to say that it is a good thing based on the fact that the GF is played at the MCG as well. That fact is not very helpful if we dont make it there in the first place. And 5 weeks travelling is going to leave our team ripe for the taking even if we do end up making it to the GF. As for having the crowd behind us if we play WCE, well it wont be as much as if the game is played in Sydney with about 70,000 swans supporters. At the MCG they'd be lucky to get a crowd over 30,000. And if the game is against the Bombers, well wont that be just fine and dandy.

Have to agree. I can't see any benefit to our team in playing a home final in Melbourne, particularly if it is against the Bombers.

[Mike_B]

Originally posted by anniswan
Due to the time limitations someone on BF has worked out these times for the finals

"Should be something like this:
Fri N Sydney v West Coast (Stade de Oz)
Sat Melbourne v Essendon (MCG)
Sat N Brisbane v St kilda ('Gabba)
Sun Port Adelaide v Geelong (Football Park)

But thanks to Operation "Head up @rse" things will probably look like this:
Fri N Sydney v West Coast (MCG)
Sat Melbourne v Essendon (MCG)
Sat N Brisbane v St kilda ('Gabba)
Sun Port Adelaide v Geelong (Football Park)

So Herr Dimwitriou will lose the AFL dream event of a final in Sydney at the Stade de Oz.......feel sorry for Sydneysiders and South fans, just shows you how much the AFL really 'care' about being "A" in AFL rather than "V"."

If it is Melbourne v Essendon and Sydney v WCE as the elimination finals, both being played in Melbourne, Melbourne and Essendon will play on Friday night and Sydney and the Eagles on Saturday afternoon. It's all about TV ratings, and with the Friday night game not going to air till 11pm on FTA in Sydney, there is no way the Swans will have their game played on Friday night.

With time between games being played sometimes an issue, it wouldn't be in this case, as West coast are playing Melbourne this weekend, so one team either way will have a shorter break. But at least it will be 6 days for either team anyway as they play on Saturday. The Bombers can't compalin about a 5 day break because they will not have any travel involved.

[hammo]

Leigh Matthews has also had a spray at the system.

If Brisbane finish second and Port first and they both win in the first week of finals, then the Lions will play their 'home' preliminary final at the MCG.

It makes zero commercial sense for the AFL - why risk a near empty house at a Sydner-WCE final when the match would draw 60,000+ in Sydney??

It is nothing more than selfishness by the MCC for its narrow, backward looking members.

If the AFL is serious about promoting the game in NSW then the Swans deserve to host any home final they earn.

[swansrule100]

i guess the teams (interstate) have to focus on the positives of this silly situation... the grand final is at the mcg and exposure to the ground and finals there must be beneficial!

[sharpie]

If it has to happen, then perhaps there is a positive that may come out of it. A Sydney "home" final against WCE at the MCG only drawing a crowd of less than 30,000 will really show the AFL and MCC how stupid this bloody arrangement is, and will be the thing most likely to make them change their minds for the future. Plus the media will really jump on this and attack the MCC.

[Bear]

My first preference is to play in Syd, but how long since we have won a final at the MCG? 1945?? We need to change this and could do it against WCE.

The MCG would actually be a 'home' crowd against WCE. As for a <30,000 crowd prediction against WCE, it will be more than that given the AFL's finals ticket system and our heritage. With good weather, and up to 25k (Melb and Syd) Swans supporters, I think the total crowd would be 35-40k, which is way more than Port get.

Note - to play Ess in Melb would be a disaster

[sharpie]

Originally posted by Bear
up to 25k (Melb and Syd) Swans supporters, I think the total crowd would be 35-40k, which is way more than Port get.

I wont comment on the chances of good weather , but even a crowd below 40k is poor, and I think that number is a bit hopeful. Certainly it has no chance of competing with a game at Homebush which would get 60-70k.

[Chubby Muffler]

What is the best way to get tickets for the finals? Can you book through the Swans? Me and my mate want to travel down to Melb if we play there and would like to be sitting near other Swans supporters.

Any advice would be appreciated.