ANZ Stadium vs SCG

[Blood]

28,082. Sydney v Essendon on a beautiful autumn day.

The people are voting with their feet. The numbers continue to drop, year after year.

ANZ Stadium is not a proper footy venue, nor is it our spiritual home. Worst of all, our beloved Swannies lose a good chunk of their home ground advantage when playing there. For 85% of the game today i thought i was at the cinema, such was the lack of atmosphere.

I realise that this is not really an issue that falls under your jurisdiction. But please, for the love of God - Let Mr. Colless and Co. know that the overwhelming majority do not want to watch the Swans at ANZ anymore!!

[Matt79]

Blood, contractual agreements are locked in mate. I'd say with GWS coming in though next year (and I think our ANZ contract finishes this year) then back to the SCG for 11 home games it is.

[Big Al]

Couldn't agree more Blood!

Never liked the joint and can count on one hand the people I know that like going there.

Get back to the SCG where we belong.

[Big Al]

Blood, contractual agreements are locked in mate. I'd say with GWS coming in though next year (and I think our ANZ contract finishes this year) then back to the SCG for 11 home games it is.

Really hope you're right Matt. Imagine playing Collingwood at a packed SCG.

[chalbilto]

Watching the game on the TV I couldn't believe that state of the turf on certain sections of the ground. To those who were at the game was the turf as bad as it looked on TV?

[laughingnome]

Watching the game on the TV I couldn't believe that state of the turf on certain sections of the ground. To those who were at the game was the turf as bad as it looked on TV?

Actually, the turf probably looks better under lights. The horror can't hide from daylight. Note LOOKS better. Plays just as awfully. Today was no worse than in the past, and remember this ground has had trouble from the AFL before regarding it's fitness for the elite competition.

And I agree, Blood. I will say that I have fond memories of 2003, when 72,000 showed up to watch the game v Collingwood, but it's no secret that crowds have to match the grounds they are in. 28,000 (or even 35,000 or 40,000) at ANZ is just horrible, especially compared to what that would be at the SCG.

[stellation]

I don't mind Homebush for night games, day games I don't really enjoy there. I still think it has its place for 2/3 games a year, but I don't think early in the season is the right time.

[Beaussie]

I don't mind Homebush for night games, day games I don't really enjoy there. I still think it has its place for 2/3 games a year, but I don't think early in the season is the right time.

I'm with you stellation. Prefer night games at Homebush and don't mind the place for 3 games a season.

Atmosphere was great in the last quarter and those that didn't attend our home game because it was at Homebush missed another fantastic game and victory. Oh and I love the facilities at Homebush compared to the SCG. Not impressed with XXXX Gold beer at the bars though. Good to see Swans members get discounts on food and beer too when you show your Club Swans card.

Also I very much doubt we would have got a bigger crowd at the SCG. Would have been lucky to get 23,000 odd at the SCG. You raise another good point stellation about games being scheduled at Homebush so early in the season. Don't think that is such a good idea in future.

[jono2707]

Since the powers that be have decided that western Sydney should have their own team, there is no way we should play out there after this year.

[Nich]

I'm sure our contract runs much longer than next year??

[liz]

I think the scheduling of early season games at Homebush is largely driven by non-availability of the SCG. I recall our first home game of 2005 being at the SCG (beautiful thrashing of the Hawks), but haven't all our first home games since been at Homebush?

[stellation]

Since the powers that be have decided that western Sydney should have their own team, there is no way we should play out there after this year.

I daresay if the Swans were to adopt an attitude along those lines then they certainly could risk losing a large percentage of members from western Sydney. Not suggesting at all that the majority of Sydney members aren't hugging the coast line, but when you think of a total of around 28k members with (I believe) that including a chunk of folks in Melbourne the Swans have to be careful how they tread with GWS coming in.

[stellation]

I think the scheduling of early season games at Homebush is largely driven by non-availability of the SCG. I recall our first home game of 2005 being at the SCG (beautiful thrashing of the Hawks), but haven't all our first home games since been at Homebush?

That may very well be the case, and a 28k crowd for round 1 really is nothing to sniff at (in my opinion, at least). I'm not overly opposed to playing early season games there, I just think we need to curb our "nobody turns up" enthusiasm when it's early in the season.

[Beaussie]

I'm sure our contract runs much longer than next year??

Yeah I was under the impression the contract runs till 2015 or 2016.

In any case, the Swans need to be careful not to alienate current and potential members from western Sydney (think alot of our 3 game superpass members are people in the west).

[Peace]

As long as we start winning the majority of games played out there.... i dont mind the trek as long as its not pissing down.