MCG not to blame for interstate teams poor record

AFTER the last five AFL Grand Finals have resulted in a Victorian team defeating a higher ranked interstate team, many have called for a change to the current running of the deciding game.

In a national competition, commentators and past players have called for a change of venue, saying interstate ovals must be considered for those teams, such as Adelaide this season, who were minor premiers.

Whilst trying to make the deciding game more even for all involved, too many problems will be created for the AFL to even consider a change.

Firstly, CEO Gillon McLachlan has come out and stated the AFL holds a contract for the next 20 years to host the Grand Final at the MCG.

Secondly, the MCG (100,024) can host almost double the amount of people than the next biggest oval, Etihad Stadium (56,347).

Source: mcg.org.au

Whilst grounds such as Adelaide Oval, the SCG, the Gabba and GMHBA Stadium in Geelong all create great atmospheres for football fans and players, the AFL would find it difficult to move away from such a dominating ground such as the MCG.

Secondly, traditionalists would find it hard accept change to the show that is Grand Final week. The parade throughout Melbourne, open training sessions, the Grand Final Footy Show etc. are all a massive part of the week, which would be altered with multiple games.

Like the Superbowl for the NFL, the week leading up to the game and the amazing ‘one-day in September’ are what makes the game and league so inviting for fans, advertising and funding, all of which grow the AFL as a business.

Advertising during the game costs companies between $130 000 and $175 000. The cheapest concession ticket is around $150.

These prices would not be the same if there was multiple games, and companies and fans would not be willing to pay as much. The fact that there is a one off chance to be involved and reach such a large audience is the inviting aspect for businesses and supporters.

The AFL would not risk this revenue to make the game fairer for those who believe it is unfair.

With the AFL also planning on changing the game to a twilight affair, many fans would not invite even more altering of the day.

Adelaide Crows AFLW star Erin Phillips told Triple M a best-of-three set up could be the way to go.

This would mean the highest finishing team would host the first and third game (if needed) at their home ground, with the other team hosting game two.

If something was to be done, this would be one of the smarter choices, following the successful model set by the NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball who all play a best-of-seven series.

But the spectacle of a three-game series in the AFL would never be the same as that of the NBA or NHL. The bruising game that we play is made for a one game playoff, just like the NFL.

This creates pressure and tension, leading to heroics like Leo Barry’s game saving mark in 2005 or Gary Ablett’s 9 goals against Hawthorn in 1989. These heroics would never be the same if the game was played another two times.

Source: Reddit

Apart from Collingwood and St Kilda fans, does anyone remember the 2010 Grand Final replay? I don’t. Even as a die-hard footy fan, the build up of excitement could not be matched, and I was dis-interested in the replay.

The entire footy world called for time on instead of a replay. The game is supposed so be played once, and a result is supposed to come out of this one playoff.

Many people will brush this aside, but up until this latest five-year period, interstate teams have had the wood over their Victorian opponents.

From 1991 until 2012, the results were 8-3 in favour of interstate sides, including West Coasts two in four years during the 90’s, Adelaide’s back to back in 1997-98 and the Brisbane Lions three-peat from 2001-2003.

Source: Fox Sports

These stats do not include the period from 2004-2006 where no Victorian teams made the Grand Final. This means there was six interstate premiers in a row from 2001 to 2006.

Yes the past five years has seen the higher ranked interstate side lose to a Victorian team, however we cannot blame the MCG for that.