More SCG games!

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I really don't like the ANZ Stadium fixtures, and it doesn't really feel like we have the home ground advantage when we play there.

Imagine if we had the Eagles at the SCG instead? You could almost mark it down as a certainty, and the same applies to Collingwood games, but we all know that wont change because they bring in the big dollaz.

Did we sign a contract that means we must play a particular ammount of games there? What's the deal?

[Cheer Squad mbr]

The "big games" will almost always be played at ANZ.

[CJK]

Contracted to play more games if x average attendance is reached at Olympia.

Happened last season, contract has kicked in.

I'm with you - more SCG FTW

I can't walk to Olympia. Rubbish

[annew]

Yep I'm with you I hate games at Homebush but go because I can't bear to miss watching a game. I want 11 games at the SCG and none at Homebush.

[goswannie14]

As a Vic based member with no affiliation to either ground, I have to say my experience of ANZ stadium has been far superior to going to the SCG. ANZ is better for viewing, better facilities, better to get to and from on public transport.

However, this thread is about home ground advantage, I think that in the last few years, the SCG has suited the style of play, but as the quicker, more open style takes precedence, ANZ seems to suit that style much better. I guess I can understand the concerns about advantages to the Swans at the SCG, but prefer ANZ to watch a game at.

[Zlatorog]

Oh, no, another CSG vs Olympic thread.
ANZ is definitely better in terms of facilites and transport. Also the ground is bigger, but the atmosphere is better at the SCG. If you can't pack Olynpic with people it is very hard to get the right atmosphere out of it.

[BSA5]

I don't like ANZ Stadium. It just isn't as... footy-ish. It doesn't have the same atmosphere, you end up miles away from the action, unless you're really lucky, and it's just.... ugly. I MUCH prefer the SCG. It's also much easier to get to the SCG, for me at least.

Although people complaining about home-ground advantages, take a look at our recent record there. I'm pretty sure, from memory, we win there more than we win at the SCG.

[CJK]

Olympia stop selling beer just after 3/4 time.

'nuff said.

[DST]

Unless they knock down most of the SCG and rebuild it to 60,000 with better corporate facilities then we are going to need ANZ Stadium going forward to continue building the club to compete with the likes of Adelaide, West Coast and Collingwood.

It now costs somewhere around $30 million a year to put a team out on the park and run the club, that could be $50 million within the next 20 years.

Where is that money going to come from, especially if there is a second team in Sydney competing for sponsorship, corporate and member dollars.

DST

[ernie koala]

Olympia is a big fat dud. The seating is so far away from the action you need binoculars to see the players, it has no atmosphere, and no homeground feel, and therefore no homeground advantage.
Hopefully when the 'west sydney whoevers' join the comp, we'll revert back to nearly all home games at the SCG, a fabulous ground for watching, hard for opposition teams, fantastic atmosphere with anything over 25k. And when the new stand is finished, it'll be even better.

[Mel]

I live closer to Homebush but still prefer the SCG. The atmosphere is better there, although if you get 60K+ at Homebush the vibe is better.

Is there really a home-ground advantage at either of the Sydney grounds anymore? I don't think it's like it use to be.

[mcs]

I dont like watching footy that much at ANZ (Although 4 of the 5 games Im going to get to in Sydney this year will be there) but gee its a breeze to get in and out transport wise. You are a long way from the action in a lot of seats (I always sit only a couple of rows back in the members reserve so its usually ok) and the atmosphere is average at best. When its jammed pack ANZ can be brilliant ie the Socceroos qualifier, the atmosphere was absolutely unbelievable, but even with 60000+ it can feel very dead.
SCG is a pain to get to and get away from, but atmosphere is very good.

Answering your point Mel I think the idea of a home advantage isnt what it use to be, but definetly the SCG gives that more to us then ANZ. For the size of the ground makes life difficult for a lot of teams to play on compared to other grounds. If it wasnt for the seating constraint, Id love us to if we made it to the finals this year and got a home final (long way off), see us play it at the SCG if it suited- ie against a team like Collingwood where it would suit us far more then playing at ANZ to counter their style. Its never going to happen but that is the way the game has gone, and in the end its all about the $$$.

Dont really care where the game is this weekend though, just looking forward to my 1st match in 08 and hopefully we can smash those Egos as well!

[Dogberry]

ANZ is definitely better in terms of facilites and transport. Also the ground is bigger, but the atmosphere is better at the SCG.

It really depends on where you live regarding transport. Games at SCG allow me to park at Goulburn Street Car Park free, go to ChinaTown for something to eat before I take the shuttle bus to the SCG or even walk up there to keep fit.

Homebush games for me always seem to involve a bit of travel on the train, which I don't enjoy, or long wait to get out of Olympic Park if I drive my car with pre-booked parking.

I also like SCG a bit more with the ambiance, especially for Sunday afternoon games, it just feel a bit more relax with kids running around and very "therapeutic" from the hectic week.

[shaun..]

Yep it's better to kick the sherrin on a Sunday arvo, even Bazza knows that.

[Margie]

I know this thread is brought up each year, but I still class Homebush as a concrete jungle in the middle of nowhere. It's unsuitable for AFL and in the Members Reserve area, part of the ground is unsighted.

The SCG on a sunny afternoon, with it's great atmosphere, outdoor eating areas and the close proximity to play is hard to beat. And we definitely have a home advantage there.