Swans set to abandon Western Sydney/ANZ Stadium

[Beaussie]

I actually like Homebush as a venue, and look forward to when we play there.

Having Homebush as a second home ground adds another dimension to supporting the Swans in Sydney, and the current arrangements are definitely superior to the pre-premiership era of the SCG.

I think it's in the team's best interests that we play there several times a year. IMO, we have a better chance of developing a more fast-running style of play at Homebush, because it's a longer ground, and as we all know, moving the ball forward on the SCG more often than not involves running out wide, rather than straight down the centre corridor.

And in my experience, the atmosphere at any ground depends largely on what's happening on the field. The venue is irrelevant.

All good points particularly your last point about atmosphere. The atmosphere was great with just 19k for the Sydney vs North final.

[goswannie14]

I actually like Homebush as a venue, and look forward to when we play there.

Having Homebush as a second home ground adds another dimension to supporting the Swans in Sydney, and the current arrangements are definitely superior to the pre-premiership era of the SCG.

I think it's in the team's best interests that we play there several times a year. IMO, we have a better chance of developing a more fast-running style of play at Homebush, because it's a longer ground, and as we all know, moving the ball forward on the SCG more often than not involves running out wide, rather than straight down the centre corridor.

And in my experience, the atmosphere at any ground depends largely on what's happening on the field. The venue is irrelevant.

We find ourselves agreeing again.

I much prefer Homebush to the SCG, although I have sat with AnnieH in the Brewongle and the view was great. However, getting to a from Homebush is much easier and quicker given the trains are right at the door and the facilities are far better than the SCG. As a melbourne based member, I have no emotional preference for either ground, I am just basing it on what I have experienced.

[Doctor]

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/afl-2016-sydney-swans-still-obliged-to-play-home-finals-at-anz-stadium-20160629-gpug3n.html

[Levii3]

http://www.smh.com.au/afl/afl-news/a...29-gpug3n.html

If we're lucky enough to get a home final playing at ANZ having not played or trained on the ground since last years finals its like playing at a neutral venue.. Afl is useless

[Ludwig]

If we're lucky enough to get a home final playing at ANZ having not played or trained on the ground since last years finals its like playing at a neutral venue.. Afl is useless

The only way to counter this move is to make it financially infeasible for the AFL to hold the game at ANZ, and that would happen if the Swans' fans stand up and protest by saying they will absolutely boycott the game if it's not at the SCG. There are many ways the fans can get their message across and make their feelings known. That's the only way the fans can beat the corporates. Just threaten to stay home and watch the game on the tube. The AFL prefer dealing with

and herd them around as they like.

[bloodsbigot]

The only way to counter this move is to make it financially infeasible for the AFL to hold the game at ANZ, and that would happen if the Swans' fans stand up and protest by saying they will absolutely boycott the game if it's not at the SCG. There are many ways the fans can get their message across and make their feelings known. That's the only way the fans can beat the corporates. Just threaten to stay home and watch the game on the tube. The AFL prefer dealing with

and herd them around as they like.

Yeah, pretty much this. Let's boycott an ANZ game. Start up a facebook campaign. Get the AFL's attention. Spread the word.

I recall Mike Fitzpatrick is a board member at ANZ Stadium, so anything to give that a-hole pain is worth it. He loves the Hawks and handed us our trade ban for following the rules.

[kilroy]

No he doesnt love the hawks, he is an old VFL dinosaur that harbours resentment towards South Melbourne for perhaps an incident that happened in 1978 on the field and he hasnt forgot. Theres a few VFL types who still hold old grudges towards stupid incidents that happened when they played and these men sit on VFL boards or are vocie pieces in the media.

- - - Updated - - -

The only way to counter this move is to make it financially infeasible for the AFL to hold the game at ANZ, and that would happen if the Swans' fans stand up and protest by saying they will absolutely boycott the game if it's not at the SCG. There are many ways the fans can get their message across and make their feelings known. That's the only way the fans can beat the corporates. Just threaten to stay home and watch the game on the tube. The AFL prefer dealing with

and herd them around as they like.

But you know what will happen right? The VFL run media will then create a narrative around the fact that swans supporters are fickle/whingers or that they held the VFL to ransom and its just another reason to hate us and that we should just shut the hell up and accept where ever we are playing.

You cant win with the melb-centric VFL.

[Primmy]

What we need is a Plebisite or a Brexit

[barry]

This is great news. ANZ is Sydney's premier venue, and why not give it a big farewell with a big final. Its out most successful ground regarding win/loss ratio.

I believe fitzpatrick's company has sold ANZ to the NSW government recently as part of all this stadium redevelopment shenanigans.

[bungwahl]

The timing of this article suggests it may have been prompted by the Swans to drum up some fan noise around moving the finals to the SCG. If so it's a great move! The article quotes a "six figure compensation" package would be required to axe ANZ, which is a pittance considering the excess gate takings for an SCG final.

ANZ is not suitable for AFL footy - dodgy surface, too small, poor fan experience.

[Industrial Fan]

Not really any different from teams based at dock lands playing home finals at the mcg.

It's not great but also unlikely to spark a revolution.

[kilroy]

Yeah sure but imagine another final in an 80k stadium and only 10k fans show up with half of them being from the opposition. The AFL wears its attendances like a badge of honour, it will be a massive embarrassment if hardly anyone shows up.

I mean we still get crap from melbourne vfl fans for that 19k turn out for a final last decade.

[Untamed Snark]

What we need is a Plebisite or a Brexit

ANZit?

[56-14]

Yeah sure but imagine another final in an 80k stadium and only 10k fans show up with half of them being from the opposition. The AFL wears its attendances like a badge of honour, it will be a massive embarrassment if hardly anyone shows up.

I mean we still get crap from melbourne vfl fans for that 19k turn out for a final last decade.

I was raised into the VFL/Aussie Rules culture 65 years ago.
I therefore was a VFL fan & selected South Melb as my team, & have supported the Swans ever since.
Don't understand your crap about "melbourne vfl fans".
(Never lived in Melb. Also, today the VFL is the Vic Reserves Comp - & in my opinion it is superior to the NEAFL - wish our reserves played in that comp!)

[kilroy]

VFL is now used by non vic fans to demonstrate how vic-centric the whole league still is and how vic based teams always get preferred treatment in what is suppose to be a national comp.

Gil hosted a dinner for AFL coaches the other night and only invited Vic based coaches.