ANZ Stadium vs SCG

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

I don't mind going to the SCG for games but, as a "westie" it suits to have a few games at Homebush especially as it's around 30 mins door to door as opposed to an hour and ten to the SCG. The other thing that is being overlooked is the chance to play a differently sized ground but still with a home ground advantage. After yesterday, we've played 35 times at Homebush for 21 wins (60%). On the other hand, we've played 307 at the SCG for 173 wins (56%). But I think more importantly we get the opportunity to not become too "one dimensional" by always playing at Fortress SCG.

But at what risk? Of missing the finals because we lost games at Homebush we arguably could have won at the SCG?

It is a difficult connundrum, with no answer that will suit all of us.

JF

[snajik]

I reckon that crowd figures would improve by 10% at both grounds if we simply killed that citibank guy with his contrived and disingenuous "hey let's do some applause" routine. He's going pretty close to driving me away.

[Provost]

I voted with my wallet this year and have gone a Lakeside membership. Put my money where my mouth has been for the last 2 years.

No more ANZ for me.

Also voted with my wallet and purchased a SCG only membership this year. I've been to most of the ANZ/Telstra/Olyimpic Park games over the years and I'm just over it. No more, enough is enough.

I'll only be back for the Collingwood game each year from now on until we are finally rid of the place...

[Primmy]

I reckon that crowd figures would improve by 10% at both grounds if we simply killed that citibank guy with his contrived and disingenuous "hey let's do some applause" routine. He's going pretty close to driving me away.

[Cheer Squad]

Pure & simple, Homebush is NOT our ground. It doesn't feel like our ground. The surface is nigh on disgraceful. Plus, most important, we play it poorly.

Now that the Swans are no longer the be-all & end-all to the evil AFL's plans to control the world & get more corporate money for itself, I hope we play there as little as possible. We are not a marketing and advertising institution. We are a football club who has a style of play that suits our own home ground.

But the AFL are intent on money, so regardless of how many games there are at the SCG in the minor round, they will still shunt us out there come finals time. So in a way I guess we have to keep playing out there so we don't get any rude shocks in September.

JF

To say we play Homebush poorly flies directly in the face of the evidence. It's already been pointed out in this thread that our win-loss ratio at Homebush is better than the SCG, and our win-loss record in finals is excellent, currently at 5-1.

As far as saying we're a football club whose style of play suits the SCG, yes, that's right. And that is the core of the problem.

There's too much running-out-wide at the SCG, and it's not a good playing habit to get into. Has everyone forgotten that between 1982-2001, when we were an SCG-only outfit, that the club did not win a single away final? And that all those losses - bar one - were by embarrassing margins?

That's the real advantage of playing at Homebush a few times a year - the configuration of the ground compels us to play a more direct style of football, straight at the goals, just like everywhere else.

It's just not in our interest become overly-used to the distorted boundaries of the SCG.

But at what risk? Of missing the finals because we lost games at Homebush we arguably could have won at the SCG?

It is a difficult connundrum, with no answer that will suit all of us.

JF

It's kind of ironic this post was started in response to yesterday's match against Essendon, because on recent evidence, the Bombers probably would have preferred it to be at the SCG. Since 2000, their record at Homebush stands at 1-5. Their record at the SCG stands at 4-2.

[erica]

The other thing to factor in was that the Roosters were playing at the same time at the SFS, and there is a decent number of people who are members of both clubs and would have had to make a choice. But the fact is, the only game we will play this year where the crowd might not have fit at the SCG will be the Collingwood game. The crowd numbers are consistently sitting around the 30k mark even for games at Homebush, and with the SCGs increased capacity in recent years, the argument of playing games at Homebush because of crowd size are farcical.

The Crowd at last year's Collingwood game would have fit comfortably in the existing SCG.

[Doctor]

I'll still go no matter what or where - it seems petty not to get out there and support your team for minor moans - but the banal blathering at half time is bloody annoying and the XXXX Gold is awful. Sort it out!

[Cardinal]

The trip up from Canberra to hop on a train to Homebush just aint as exciting as the trip up from Canberra and the walk up to the SCG

[Danzar]

ive only been to a couple of home games, two at each i think it is. As a fan i felt like when i went to the scg i was at the swans home ground- just the signs and offices, the set up, it felt like id finally got to go to a home game. ANZ just felt like someone hired the stadium for 2 teams to clash, wasnt anyones home ground

That's sums up how I feel. Outside that, I have no huge issues with ANZ. I live in Bondi but don't find it particulalry difficult to get to. The atmosphere can be there but agreed that you really need 50,000 plus for that to happen. However, I seriously doubt GWS are going to help us when it comes to shifting a game or two back to the SCG. It will be years before they have anywhere near the fan base to use ANZ as their main base, facilities aside.

I'd support a 9-2 game ratio between the SCG and ANZ, with both scheduled smartly so that there are no competing factors on the day, the game is played at a reasonable time and the right two games are used - Swans vs Pies and Swans vs GWS.

One gripe is this - if the AFL is truly committed to growing the sport in Western Sydney, it needs to advertise these games heavily and get people to the ground. Only a few years back I recall seeing some really well-produced ads for select Swans home games that were pumped through the main channels prime time. They should consider this again - and I don't mean just a lame little ad telling people the game is on, I mean telling parts of the game's story like they did when they advertised in the lead up to the Marn Grook trophy match - sadly, these ads are long gone. If it's not worth telling people about, it's not worth doing.

Don't get me started on $6.50 mid strength XXXX Gold!!!

[Bas]

Don't get me started on $6.50 mid strength XXXX Gold!!!

I've given the demon drink away for awhile so I didn't take notice of the beer prices on Sunday.

Those prices will lead to a call for arms!

Arms straight inside you jacket for that hidden hip flask or thermos filled with wine. Kmart has a very handy small one that would fit perfectly into a bulky inside pocket.

Not suggesting that anyone break the law or anything. Purely for medicinal reasons as the RWO Doctor ordered!

[Danzar]

I've given the demon drink away for awhile so I didn't take notice of the beer prices on Sunday.

Those prices will lead to a call for arms!

Arms straight inside you jacket for that hidden hip flask or thermos filled with wine. Kmart has a very handy small one that would fit perfectly into a bulky inside pocket.

Not suggesting that anyone break the law or anything. Purely for medicinal reasons as the RWO Doctor ordered!

Agreed! For the first time ever, I found myself actively considering such a response on Sunday. I don't mind paying $6.50 (but only just) - but I'll want full strength beverage that tastes at least a little bit like beer thanks. I smell a rat - this is not about responsible service of alcohol, it's about margins and Queenslanders, in that order.

BTW: for those wondering exactly how long this ANZ contract goes for, see second paragraph: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225903182146 I strongly recommend you not read the rest of what Colless had to say.....

[Cardinal]

I've adopted the sensible position of drinking a couple of bottles of wine over a nice long quality lunch prior to going to the game these days - it's a much cheaper and healthier alternative to drinking and eating at the ground

[Danzar]

I've adopted the sensible position of drinking a couple of bottles of wine over a nice long quality lunch prior to going to the game these days - it's a much cheaper and healthier alternative to drinking and eating at the ground

I must say though that the chips at ANZ are pretty spectacular, almost perfect

[Bas]

BTW: for those wondering exactly how long this ANZ contract goes for, see second paragraph: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/spo...-1225903182146 I strongly recommend you not read the rest of what Colless had to say.....

Sir Dick doesn't mince any words does he?

"Old, tired and antiquated" as someone said in the comments - much like our Chairman.

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

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).

I found it very interesting that the area on the forward pocket HF line at the Essendon Cheer Squad end of the ground was noticeably empty compared to normal games. From memory this is where the Superpass holders have their memberships, right?

Has the existence of GWS eaten into that ticket category? Because from the naked eye 1000km away it does appear it has.

JF