homebush

[happy]

i heard recently from the membership department that they will be introducing scg only memberships next year ...

personally i think i would take that one ..

but of course that means that all of the "big" games that they send out there i wont be able to attend...

maybe if no one takes up a homebush membership then the club might try to renegotiate its agreement with the big western white elephant

[AussieAnge]

I'll be continuing with my full club membership as I think it's good for the club and AFL to try to continue to increase the following of the great game. Unfortunately it is more the Swans play that has put the eventers off this year rather than Homebush. The previous crowd numbers indicate that it is much more accessible to the majority of Sydneysiders than the SCG is. My only gripe about Homebush is that they keep the grass long for the NRL.

[AnnieH]

Why would you buy a membership only to miss out on the blockbusters??

[Lucky Knickers]

Same as AA - I want to see all games thanks. Prefer SCG for seating and atmosphere but Homebush is good for proximity and facilities.

[Cheer Squad]

Why would you buy a membership only to miss out on the blockbusters??

Probably because many Sydney-based members, especially those who live in the eastern suburbs and north shore, dislike the idea of using public transport (especially if the destination is somewhere in Sydney's west) more than they like barracking for the Swans.

This might come as a shock to our members in the other states - especially in Melbourne, where there is a strong public-transport culture - but many of our members up here would rather not bother getting the express train from Central to Homebush to see the team. Doesn't matter how the team is going.

It's called being fickle.

I'll be keeping my premiership club membership for all the games. I just hope the club doesn't go back to having all the games at the SCG. It would be a retrograde step for all the wrong reasons for both the club and code in Sydney, because there is absolutely nothing wrong with Homebush as an AFL venue.

[AnnieH]

Probably because many Sydney-based members, especially those who live in the eastern suburbs and north shore, dislike the idea of using public transport (especially if the destination is somewhere in Sydney's west) more than they like barracking for the Swans.

This might come as a shock to our members in the other states - especially in Melbourne, where there is a strong public-transport culture - but many of our members up here would rather not bother getting the express train from Central to Homebush to see the team. Doesn't matter how the team is going.

It's called being fickle.

I'll be keeping my premiership club membership for all the games. I just hope the club doesn't go back to having all the games at the SCG. It would be a retrograde step for all the wrong reasons for both the club and code in Sydney, because there is absolutely nothing wrong with Homebush as an AFL venue.

Right on!!
If travelling to Homebush to an issue for a Sydney-sider, then sorry, you're NOT A REAL FAN.

[AussieAnge]

Probably because many Sydney-based members, especially those who live in the eastern suburbs and north shore, dislike the idea of using public transport (especially if the destination is somewhere in Sydney's west) more than they like barracking for the Swans.

It's not necessarily a matter of disliking public transport afiic it a matter of feasible public transport.
I have and do use the free bus service out to Homebush (when I'm not getting a lift) but to use public transport out to the SCG would be an ordeal.

[happy]

call me what you will .. and make whatever accusations you like .. in theory there is nothing wrong with the place, in practice,
it is not the swans home ground
we give away the home ground advantage when we play there
the place is about as intense as a bingo game in a retirement home
the only reason there are games out there are for purely financial reasons
all of this talk about growing the game and appealing to a broader base is complete nonsense ..
the contractual agreement with homebush requires the swans to play an extra game there for each year of the contract when the average crowd at the games for the year is over a number(50000??)
this means that if i go out to watch the game i am only contributing to there being more games out there
if i feel guilty enough about not supporting the team and go out, my reward will be another game out there next year ...
i dont like not going to the games but i hate that place, and i know that i am not alone

and it has absolutely nothing to do with public transport ... i dont even have a car

[Matt79]

Same as AA - I want to see all games thanks. Prefer SCG for seating and atmosphere but Homebush is good for proximity and facilities.

Bingo!

[AussieAnge]

the place is about as intense as a bingo game in a retirement home

You obviously haven't been to a bingo game at a retirement home recently as some of the residents take their game very seriously even if they are only playing for a small chocolate bar.
I don't believe anyone has called you anything or made any accusations against you. You are entitled to your opinion but others are entitled to disagree.
Our home ground advantage at the SCG is not as strong as it was in '98. The SCG is small and fat and IMO works against us and our style of play when playing on a longer thinner pitch where we are less able to kick to the wings. I'd much prefer it if the team used the corridor more which they tend not to at the SCG.
Also IMO there is rarely any atmosphere at the SCG, the only time this year that I recollect there being any was the last few minutes of the Freo game. The atmosphere at the EF against Norf was pretty good.

[swantastic]

The SCG is small and fat and IMO works against us and our style of play when playing on a longer thinner pitch where we are less able to kick to the wings. I'd much prefer it if the team used the corridor more which they tend not to at the SCG.
Also IMO there is rarely any atmosphere at the SCG, the only time this year that I recollect there being any was the last few minutes of the Freo game. The atmosphere at the EF against Norf was pretty good.

Its not the ground that makes the atmosphere,its the supporters in it.

I would much prefer if the Swans made the SCG a fortress and virtually impossible for away teams to win in.

[Cheer Squad]

Our home ground advantage at the SCG is not as strong as it was in '98. The SCG is small and fat and IMO works against us and our style of play when playing on a longer thinner pitch where we are less able to kick to the wings. I'd much prefer it if the team used the corridor more which they tend not to at the SCG.

Spot on. Homebush has been beneficial to the club for that very reason - it helps dilute the "SCG effect" on our style of play. Has anyone noticed how the last six years - when we have been playing at Homebush - has coincided with our most successful era in decades? I think there is something in that.

Also IMO there is rarely any atmosphere at the SCG, the only time this year that I recollect there being any was the last few minutes of the Freo game. The atmosphere at the EF against Norf was pretty good.

Spot on again.

[ernie koala]

Right on!!
If travelling to Homebush to an issue for a Sydney-sider, then sorry, you're NOT A REAL FAN.

What a load of cobblers.
I've supported the swans for 32 years, through thick and plenty of thin, I AM A REAL FAN!! and I never bother with homebush.
I completely agree with Happy, I hate the place for a multitude of reasons, which I've written in previous threads, and it has nothing to do with public transport.

[Cheer Squad]

What a load of cobblers.
I've supported the swans for 32 years, through thick and plenty of thin, I AM A REAL FAN!! and I never bother with homebush.
I completely agree with Happy, I hate the place for a multitude of reasons, which I've written in previous threads, and it has nothing to do with public transport.

What are the multitude of reasons? I look forward to our games at Homebush

[ernie koala]

What are the multitude of reasons? I look forward to our games at Homebush

I've written them plenty of times in the past Cheer Squad...but I'll repeat...
I've been to about 4 or 5 swans games there...1) lousy atmosphere each time....2) seating is a mile away from the playing surface creating a sense of detatchment from the game....3) It's not the swans home ground and never will be....4) Getting to, and especially from, the ground in either a car or public transport means waiting around endlessly just to get in and out of the area....It looks pretty from the chopper shot at night but that's it's only redeeming feature. It's a great baran white elephant and, unfortunately for me, ruins the live footy experience, I won't be going back anytime soon.