ANZ Stadium rears its ugly head.

[Triple B]

Yes I've been musing over exactly that point. If within the next few years GWS finish top (quite possible) and Swans finish 4th, will a QF match be played at (the small) Spotless? Or at the much larger SCG?

It's an interesting position for Tony Shepherd.

As Chairman of the Board of both GWS and the SCG Trust, he's in quite a difficult position.

Of course Mike Fitzpatrick would see it as a no-brainer and finals at SCG it would be....

[barry]

likely force GWS to SCG I'd say, which I am sure they wont like.

If GWS continue on their tragetory, I could see Spotless being upgrade fairly soon with 2nd level of stands all the way around, which would get it up to around 35,000 ish. Brisbane has hosted finals at a similar sized ground, so the AFL may let them stay there.

To be honest, the jury is still out as to whether spoltless is a sustainable home IMO.

[Mel_C]

Yes I've been musing over exactly that point. If within the next few years GWS finish top (quite possible) and Swans finish 4th, will a QF match be played at (the small) Spotless? Or at the much larger SCG?

You would think that the match would have to be at the SCG in this scenario. It's no different to Geelong having to play the Hawks at the MCG.

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[mcs]

likely force GWS to SCG I'd say, which I am sure they wont like.

If GWS continue on their tragetory, I could see Spotless being upgrade fairly soon with 2nd level of stands all the way around, which would get it up to around 35,000 ish. Brisbane has hosted finals at a similar sized ground, so the AFL may let them stay there.

To be honest, the jury is still out as to whether spoltless is a sustainable home IMO.

Its a question of whether the AFL can justify to itself such upgrades to Spotless for what ultimately would be a few games a year (the Derby and any final against Sydney and probably bigger finals like Prelims), or whether they'll persist with what they've got, ship the Giants off to the SCG for matches against the Swans in finals, and wait as long as possible to upgrade the ground.

Given the crowds they've drawn when not playing Sydney, despite crowd numbers being supported by plenty of freebies and cheapo tickets, I think they'll play the waiting game - as its probably a sustainable approach for at least a decade, if not more. It will take time for the Giants support, even with the prospect of premierships to come, to grow to a point where they are consistently selling out their home venue.

[Zlatorog]

You would think that the match would have to be at the SCG in this scenario. It's no different to Geelong having to play the Hawks at the MCG.

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This. GWS will be forced to play those finals at the SCG if AFL decide it that way.

[0918330512]

This. GWS will be forced to play those finals at the SCG if AFL decide it that way.

Forced to play? Don't you mean have the privilege of playing?

[barry]

true, but the cost of an extra seating would be relatively small, as the grandstand base is there. In fact its a great slab of concrete at level 1.

[Zlatorog]

Forced to play? Don't you mean have the privilege of playing?

He, he, it depends who you ask. GWS CEO might think so.

[Cardinal]

GWS home final at an upgraded Manuka ?

[mcs]

GWS home final at an upgraded Manuka ?

If the Manuka development ever goes ahead, I don't think it would be out of the question for a week 1 final. With the ridiculous amount of money us Canberrans are subsidising GWS, I'd like to see them play a game of importance down here, so we get a little bit of bang for our $$$$.