On 4/30/2018 at 9:59 AM, Lucifer's Hero said:

Definitely, as shown by our excellent record there since Goodwin took over.  It also helps that the roof is closed so we play in the dry with no wind.  But we only play a couple of games a year at Etihad. As the G is our home ground and the big stage that is where we need to win games. 

For those that are interested here is a list of dimensions of grounds used for AFL games. 

Yesterday's it looked like the 'aggressive zone' was modified in the second half and Ess found it much harder to switch play so a less 'aggressive zone' can work anywhere.

I know Aussie rules is famous for its eccentricities, but it beats me why the grounds aren't all the same dimensions, particularly when most of them are relatively new. Seems silly that consistency of size isn't considered when the AFL is planning ahead

On 4/30/2018 at 9:59 AM, Lucifer's Hero said:

Definitely, as shown by our excellent record there since Goodwin took over.  It also helps that the roof is closed so we play in the dry with no wind.  But we only play a couple of games a year at Etihad. As the G is our home ground and the big stage that is where we need to win games. 

For those that are interested here is a list of dimensions of grounds used for AFL games. 

Yesterday's it looked like the 'aggressive zone' was modified in the second half and Ess found it much harder to switch play so a less 'aggressive zone' can work anywhere.

Never realized just how narrow Simonds stadium is. They have such an advantage playing there besides their crowd. Used to love the sixty's when they were losing and the crowd was leaving early and we would call out "going home to milk the cows". Good days were had.

10 hours ago, Moonshadow said:

I know Aussie rules is famous for its eccentricities, but it beats me why the grounds aren't all the same dimensions, particularly when most of them are relatively new. Seems silly that consistency of size isn't considered when the AFL is planning ahead

If the AFL wanted to make the competition 'fairer' they would have a standard set of dimensions then 'shrink' the boundaries of the bigger grounds wherever possible.  The most standard dimension is 135m wide and 165m long.  Easy to  do - just paint a new boundary inside the old.  Of course they never will. 

The dimensions highlight what a huge advantage it is for finals for teams that play regularly at the G which is why so many teams now want more games there.  Some wealthy teams like Ess have created an MCG sized oval as (one of) their training oval. 

Hopefully, we will soon have the game plan to 'conquer' the G and make it our 'fortress'.