First final likely against West Coast at the MCG

[stellation]

Originally posted by j s
Even more important than total crowd size is this:

When refusing offers of financial compensation the MC always argues along the lines of
It will be very interesting to see how many MCC members actually turn up to watch a Syd/WC final. That is what will really embarrass the MCC.

I'd say a fair few of them might turn up just to prove a point.

[anniswan]

Just got this from the Club

Notice to supporters re: the finals
2004 FINALS
Where will the Swans play their final if they finish 6th?

If the Swans beat Richmond and West Coast beat Melbourne this weekend at present the Swans will play West Coast at the MCG on either the Saturday or Sunday (4th & 5th Sept).
This situation would change only if Brisbane or Port Adelaide were beaten or St.Kilda defeat Fremantle by 70 points or more, thus putting them into the top two and giving them a home final and allowing the Swans to play their final in Sydney!

The decision to play two finals at the MCG is a contractual arrangement the AFL have with the MCC.


If the Sydney Swans compete in an interstate final, Members will have a two-day priority period to purchase a ticket.

VICTORIAN, QUEENSLAND OR WESTERN AUSTRALIAN FINAL

Tickets will go on sale through Ticketmaster7

Phoning Ticketmaster7 on 1300 136 122
Internet sales: www.ticketmaster7.com.au
Ticketmaster7 outlets

[anniswan]

Another message from the Club

On the recent email you received it was suggested that if the Swans are to play a final in Melbourne it would more than likely be on the Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

After consultation from the AFL we have been advised it could also be Friday or Saturday evening!

In summary, we have no idea and we apoligise for assuming anything.

[NMWBloods]

How stupid would the AFL be if they put the game on Fri evening?!? Surely the best time is Saturday night - that gives people time to arrive and return for a weekend trip - back to Sydney or Perth.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Damien
If you are a member of a participating club - there is a period on the MOnday that allows you to buy tickets.

It is always through Ticketek or Ticketmaster (Melb venues are Ticketmaster)

If you are not a member, you have to try your luck after the member only period.

There is info this months "Swans News"

But if we play the Eagles at the G it would almost be worthwhile to just rock up on the day and get in. You can come and sit with us perhaps!!!!! We had heaps of spare seats against Melbourne in our area. And that was in a crowd of 35000 at the Dome.

If we play the Eagles at the G, why don't they just make it unreserved seating for most of the ground. Then all the support for both clubs can congregate casually nearer to each other's Cheer Squad, thus improving the atmosphere.

For some strange reason I'm heaps pumped for a Swans-Eagles final in Melbourne. I think if marketed well in the Vic papers it could do wonders in bringing about old South Melbourne supporters as well as Sydney expats to come to the game and support the team. I'm sure Tony Morwood would be licking his lips at the thought of an MCG Swans-Eagles final.

If we DO play there against WCE, it is up to all of our members in Melbourne to start drumming up relos and friends who used to attend matches on and off but don't do it regularly. That means people like your Mum and Dad Robbie. That way we can make the fact that we are playing at the G into an advantage that have have positive ramifications for the Melbourne members, and the club as a whole.

JF

[robbieando]

Originally posted by sharpie
The only positive is for any purely selfish Melbourners who would prefer the team play in Melbourne because it benefits their bank balance.

Gee, real surprised with that comment. But then again for someone who picks what Swans matches he goes to, I'm really not surprised.

Anyway if you read my comment in full, I said I didn't like the deal regardless of how much a final in Melbourne helps me out. The deal is wrong and shouldn't be allowed to effect not only our efforts for the finals, but the development of the code in Sydney. But I guess you want to turn everything into a Sydney vs Melbourne debate.

[swan_song]

I don't think the prospect of 25-35,000 at the MCG for a Swans v Eagles week 1 final, will be visually good for TV... with half empty stadiums people will think they're watching the athens olympics or a game of rugger league...

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Damien
So true. Disgraceful forward thinking - for all the great things the administrators of the code have done, the MCG contract was the most backward thing.

Looking back at the deal now, yes it was the most backwards deal the AFL has done however thats without looking at why the deal was signed and the way the league was set up at the time.

Baffles me. They had invited the Crows to join - had designs on a 2nd Perth team, and were investigating team relocations, all at the time the contract was signed.

They signed the contract 6 months before the Crows were invited to join the league, which was the result of Port Adelaide attempting to join the league, a bid which the AFL didn't even invite at the time because they felt the SANFL was happy by itself. The whole move for a team in Adelaide didn't happen until after the contract was signed.

As for a second Perth team, the AFL had an idea to move either the Bears or the Swans there, not create a new side. Don't forget throughout the early 90's the AFL was keen to rid itself of the problem children - the Swans and the Bears.

You do not sign a contract like that - and at the same time, attempt to become the number 1 code in Australia. AMAZING.

Of course you don't, but don't forget that there was NO rule in place to give interstate teams home finals, all finals were to be played in Melbourne, in 1986 and 1987 Sydney played finals in Melbourne in Week 1 despite finishing 2nd and playing the 3rd ranked side. The rule for home finals for interstate teams was introduced in 1991 to reward West Coast for finishing 1st on the ladder. The rule was further expanded in 1992 to include Week 2. In 1994 with the advent of the Top 8 was an interstate Prelim final introduced.

Next point and the most important point of all, the deal was signed as part of the Melbourne 1996 Olympic Bid so that the MCC could get the bank loans to rebuild the Southern Stand as its part of the bid. The AFL at the time only had one Prelim Final and the deal gave that to the MCG, no club complained because interstate finals weren't even possible at that time.

Yes now the deal is wrong and needs to be changed, but back in March 1990, the deal was a blessing the AFL and only rules and changes to the finals system since then have made it wrong. You can't blame the AFL of not looking forward at the time, when nothing pointed to this problem.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by swan_song
I don't think the prospect of 25-35,000 at the MCG for a Swans v Eagles week 1 final, will be visually good for TV... with half empty stadiums people will think they're watching the athens olympics or a game of rugger league...

People are forgetting that the MCG capacity for Week 1 of the finals will be 70,000 and half those tickets are set aside for MCC and AFL members who get in for free. Of the public tickets available, most will be sold. I think 45,000 is very possible

[Rob-bloods]

Not to mention it may also be freezing and pouring in Melbourne that week, just what WCE and Swannies need!

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by dimelb
I'd prefer SCG or Telstra to Subiaco but if it's a choice between Subiaco and the MCG then I'll take the gay dame at the MCG any day.

Anything but another trip to bloody Perth!

Twice in a year is MORE than enough, I think.

JF

[cruiser]

Originally posted by anniswan
Just got this from the Club

Notice to supporters re: the finals
2004 FINALS
Where will the Swans play their final if they finish 6th?

If the Swans beat Richmond and West Coast beat Melbourne this weekend at present the Swans will play West Coast at the MCG on either the Saturday or Sunday (4th & 5th Sept).
This situation would change only if Brisbane or Port Adelaide were beaten or St.Kilda defeat Fremantle by 70 points or more, thus putting them into the top two and giving them a home final and allowing the Swans to play their final in Sydney!

The decision to play two finals at the MCG is a contractual arrangement the AFL have with the MCC.


If the Sydney Swans compete in an interstate final, Members will have a two-day priority period to purchase a ticket.

I would love to book a flight now but won't just in case St Kilda do end the year in 2nd place. I'll be str8 onto my computer to book a ticket the moment I am sure of the St Kilda and Brisbane results this weekend.

[Xie Shan]

Before everyone gets carried away....

we HAVE to beat Richmond. I do think the Swans will be too determined not to drop this game as they know they're not in the finals yet. That said, Richmond really are terrible, and their only real chance is the Frawley factor, but then his final game should be a fair reflection of how the Tigers have gone under his tenure shouldn't it?

And discount the fact that they've beaten us once this year - I doubt they'll do it again, since when have Richmond ever been consistent?

I wouldn't be surprised if Adelaide knocks off Port - they have been quietly finishing off the year with some good form, and the Cats are pretty tough to beat these days. This is why it's so important that we win - just don't know what will happen on Sunday.

[benny_w]

I reckon this scenario can happen.

because i think that port can be beaten in the showdown and that Stkilda can beat Freo by 70 points
to allow us to play at Stade de Oz

[midaro]

Originally posted by benny_w
I reckon this scenario can happen.

because i think that port can be beaten in the showdown and that Stkilda can beat Freo by 70 points
to allow us to play at Stade de Oz

I think that us getting beaten by Richmond is just as likely