Finals 2021

[chookrat 4,268]

23 minutes ago, rpfc said:

Vic govt and AFL could get it done if they are comfy eating the [censored] that will come with;

Not allowing under 16s, unvaccinated, those without neg tests inside two days, having a mask mandate, and fully ticketed with ID proof on entry.

Concession stands are an issue. You could close or have them open and own the risk with masks off while eating/drinking in seats with no bars to stand in close spaces.

But this takes courage and conviction and it will also lead to protestors in Yarra park on the day I reckon.

Rpfc, I cannot see crowds at any AFL match in Victoria this year given the current lockdown is scheduled to end 2.5 weeks before the GF.  While I'm sure Geelong locals will push for crowds at GMHBA it would take a very brave Government to close playgrounds to kids while having crowds at the football 30 minutes down the road.

When we consider that there have been Delta outbreaks and lockdowns in every state and territory except Tassie into he past 2 months, and that NZ is now in lockdown, there is a reasonable chance that WA will have cases between now and the GF.

It will be interesting what happens over the coming weeks.

[Demonland 73,140]

1 hour ago, leave it to deever said:

Does anyone have a list of number of finals games played by each of our current squad?

This was after 2018

Angus Brayshaw	3
Bayley Fritsch	2
Max Gawn	3
James Harmes	3
Michael Hibberd	3
Neville Jetta	3
Nathan Jones	5
Tom McDonald	3
Jake Melksham	3
Alex Neal-Bullen	3
Clayton Oliver	3
Christian Petracca	3
Christian Salem	3
Charlie Spargo	3
Aaron vandenberg	3
Jack Viney	3
Sam Weideman	3
Joel Smith	1

[Demonland 73,140]

Players that have arrived after 2018 and played finals at other clubs

Steven May 0

Jake Lever 5

Ed Langdon 0

Adam Tomlinson 10

Majak Daw 1

Mitch Brown 2

Ben Brown 7

[rpfc 28,779]

15 minutes ago, chookrat said:

Rpfc, I cannot see crowds at any AFL match in Victoria this year given the current lockdown is scheduled to end 2.5 weeks before the GF.  While I'm sure Geelong locals will push for crowds at GMHBA it would take a very brave Government to close playgrounds to kids while having crowds at the football 30 minutes down the road.

When we consider that there have been Delta outbreaks and lockdowns in every state and territory except Tassie into he past 2 months, and that NZ is now in lockdown, there is a reasonable chance that WA will have cases between now and the GF.

It will be interesting what happens over the coming weeks.

I know, but we are going to get to an EPL style ticketing for the summer in cricket etc. I’m just floating it out there. Would love for my dad to be able to go to the G to see the Dees.

[Demonland 73,140]

 

[McQueen 17,867]

On 8/16/2021 at 8:32 AM, Deespicable said:

Why is Adelaide not being seriously considered to host all finals?

I get that the MCG is not going to happen with crowds and I get that the spectacle is just so much better with crowds.

But I am sorry I don't quite get why Adelaide is not ahead of Perth in likelihood of staging the finals.

Adelaide, like Perth, has practically no cases

Adelaide, like Perth, has proud footy traditions which means that all games will be close to capacity even without the local sides playing, although Port are guaranteed to be playing in at least two of the nine finals.

Adelaide, like Perth, has a relatively new stadium that has won rave reviews. Crowd capacity is 53,500 as opposed to Perth's 60,156 - a slight difference but not massive enough to be a critical factor.

Then there's the advantages:

Adelaide is less distance for other teams to travel (ie Brisbane).

Adelaide is more accessible for us Victorians if we make the granny.

and while government policy changes, the one state that has been saying 'No' to any foreigners throughout the Covid era is WA.

I also get that holding the finals in Adelaide would give Port considerable clout, but as with the Lions last year, even though the umps will favour them, if you aren't up to it, you still aren't up to it.

So why Perth?

Because I live here. 

[YesitwasaWin4theAges 6,708]

1 hour ago, DubDee said:

Why isnt Adelaide being seriously considered for the finals/GF.  seems the best option to me.  closer to other cities, no quarantine, no [censored] for a premier, only a few thousand less capacity

I think it might be happening quietly in the background DubDee.

Especially with the Powa involved, WA will have no representation with the Eagles on their last legs and out of the 8. 

I reckon WA and its Premier really doesn't give a toss if they don't host it.

They really couldn't give a rats over there with their (Ring of Steel) Optus holds 60,000, Adelaide holds 54000 so its not really a massive difference.

WA's premier gives of the vibe of a real toss pot.

Edited August 17, 2021 by Win4theAges

[KLV 1,768]

1 hour ago, Demonland said:

Gerard whately fancies himself as having power to shape the big decisions in the game. I think he should stick to his lane 

 

 

[DeeZee 7,445]

Why not the Gabba again?

Easier to get there than bloody Perth

[Dr. Gonzo 24,300]

2 hours ago, rpfc said:

Vic govt and AFL could get it done if they are comfy eating the [censored] that will come with;

Not allowing under 16s, unvaccinated, those without neg tests inside two days, having a mask mandate, and fully ticketed with ID proof on entry.

Concession stands are an issue. You could close or have them open and own the risk with masks off while eating/drinking in seats with no bars to stand in close spaces.

But this takes courage and conviction and it will also lead to protestors in Yarra park on the day I reckon.

Negative tests pregame should be sufficient, that's still 6 weeks away. We're in lockdown for another 2 and a half weeks minimum so the chances of having an outbreak caused by the GF are slim to none. Have designated entry times if you just to limit the queuing outside pre game

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

2 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Negative tests pregame should be sufficient, that's still 6 weeks away. We're in lockdown for another 2 and a half weeks minimum so the chances of having an outbreak caused by the GF are slim to none. Have designated entry times if you just to limit the queuing outside pre game

Stop it, you’re making too much sense.

[Chook 15,022]

4 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

Does anyone have a list of number of finals games played by each of our current squad?

Ben Brown, Jake Lever, and Adam Tomlinson are batting OK especially by games played. Steven May needs to catch up a bit.

Edited August 17, 2021 by Chook

[titan_uranus 25,043]

The Age is reporting that the clubs who get to host week 1 finals are going to be allowed to choose their venue, but Melbourne venues are off the table because the choices will be limited to venues with crowds.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-could-face-difficult-venue-choice-for-qualifying-final-20210817-p58jin.html

 

[Pates 9,660]

17 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

The Age is reporting that the clubs who get to host week 1 finals are going to be allowed to choose their venue, but Melbourne venues are off the table because the choices will be limited to venues with crowds.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-could-face-difficult-venue-choice-for-qualifying-final-20210817-p58jin.html

 

Lol do you get a choice but not the choice you want 🙄. Call me a party pooper but I’ll take us playing at the G with no crowds over a neutral venue with crowds. 

If this is the case then I would choose us playing at Adelaide Oval for a “home final” against WB or Geelong. Against Port….GABBA or Western Sydney. 

Either way I think that’s bulltish and makes me wonder why the F we should bother playing our best team this weekend. 

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

15 minutes ago, titan_uranus said:

The Age is reporting that the clubs who get to host week 1 finals are going to be allowed to choose their venue, but Melbourne venues are off the table because the choices will be limited to venues with crowds.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/melbourne-could-face-difficult-venue-choice-for-qualifying-final-20210817-p58jin.html

 

If we’re hosting Brisbane or Dogs I’d say we’ll choose Adelaide Oval.

If we’re hosting Port I’d say we’ll choose a SE Queensland venue.

Other options:

Can’t see us choosing Hobart due to the wind factor. We could lose the toss, be down by 7 goals at qtr time and our campaign could be in tatters.

Launceston maybe?

Can’t see crowds allowed in Geelong. Too close to Melbourne and all it takes is for someone up the highway to do the wrong thing.

Doubt Perth would be an option due to onerous quarantine and travel requirements.

[Bring-Back-Powell 14,939]

2 minutes ago, Pates said:

Lol do you get a choice but not the choice you want 🙄. Call me a party pooper but I’ll take us playing at the G with no crowds over a neutral venue with crowds. 

If this is the case then I would choose us playing at Adelaide Oval for a “home final” against WB or Geelong. Against Port….GABBA or Western Sydney. 

Either way I think that’s bulltish and makes me wonder why the F we should bother playing our best team this weekend. 

I agree with you.

There’s no home ground advantage, and after begging and pleading to finish top 2 all year, I don’t really care anymore.

Saturday night is a dead rubber unless we have to win to avoid Port over there in week 1.

[Demonland 73,140]

Meanwhile Victorian or NSW-based AFL clubs that win the right to host an elimination or qualifying final will be able to choose where they play the match, but their options will be limited to venues that can have crowds. 

It may give Melbourne a tricky choice if they were to finish on top as they would need to determine where they had the best chance of winning their first final based on their opponent and the suitability of the ground for their style, with the MCG and Marvel Stadium ruled out.

With most top-eight positions undecided leading into the final round it is impossible for the AFL to determine when or where finals will be played until next weekend, however it has opened up sterile corridors to allow teams to play in South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania and Western Australia if the COVID situation in those states remains stable.

It is waiting to see whether the Victorian government will allow crowds in regional areas that are not in lockdown for the first week in the finals, which would affect the options available to Geelong, and potentially even the Western Bulldogs, who play occasional home games in Ballarat. There will be no crowds allowed at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday night when Geelong host Melbourne.

At this stage, if the Brisbane Lions or Port Adelaide win the right to host a final they will play the match at the Gabba and Adelaide Oval respectively, with hopes growing that the Gabba will be able to accommodate a crowd of 75 per cent capacity during finals.

League sources said it was unlikely an elimination or qualifying final would be played in Perth between neutral teams as combining quarantine restrictions with travel would be too onerous for the losing team attempting to back-up in the second week of finals.

However Tasmania is a serious option for clubs likely to have earned the right to a home final and are unable to host it at their actual home ground, with clubs broadly agreeing that higher-ranked teams would not be forced to play at a lower-ranked team’s home venue in the lead-up to the grand final.

That could see Sydney play a final against the Giants in Tasmania, depending on how the final round plays out.

The AFL expects to be in a better position after week one of the finals to then consider the preliminary final venues and whether it uses a bye in that week as it will know which teams have won their way into the preliminary final.

Meanwhile, the Western Australian government does not have a formal position on vaccinations for sports teams despite the Premier Mark McGowan saying on Monday that he assumed all AFL players would be vaccinated already.

“I would expect most footballers, in fact probably all, are already vaccinated. I certainly would’ve thought that would be a wise decision by the AFL,” McGowan said.

An education program relating to group vaccinations is being developed for AFL players and staff by the AFL’s head of healthcare governance, Rachel Elliot, in consultation with the AFLPA and clubs, but there will be no policy on vaccinations before the end of the season.

The AFL has already stated it will encourage all players and staff working in the industry to be vaccinated, but it has not been in a position to make vaccination mandatory as it adhered to government policy which put frontline workers and more vulnerable members of the community first in line for a jab.

Any vaccination among players or staff has been a personal decision in line with the rest of the community rather than based on an industry-wide policy with the Players’ Association not yet having records of how many players have been vaccinated.

 

[The heart beats true 18,145]

If someone knows anyone that is CoVID positive have them take a poo in a box and ship it down to my sister in Geelong. She’ll flush it for the Demons.

Result = Covid in the sewerage system, Kardinia off the table for finals, neutral footy fans happy.

Honestly, the club should make me a consultant.

 

[titan_uranus 25,043]

17 minutes ago, Pates said:

Lol do you get a choice but not the choice you want 🙄. Call me a party pooper but I’ll take us playing at the G with no crowds over a neutral venue with crowds. 

If this is the case then I would choose us playing at Adelaide Oval for a “home final” against WB or Geelong. Against Port….GABBA or Western Sydney. 

Either way I think that’s bulltish and makes me wonder why the F we should bother playing our best team this weekend. 

12 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I agree with you.

There’s no home ground advantage, and after begging and pleading to finish top 2 all year, I don’t really care anymore.

Saturday night is a dead rubber unless we have to win to avoid Port over there in week 1.

If Port wins, Saturday night is very much a live rubber.

A neutral venue hosting Geelong or the Dogs is a better option than having to play Port in Adelaide or Geelong in Geelong for the first final.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,300]

15 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I agree with you.

There’s no home ground advantage, and after begging and pleading to finish top 2 all year, I don’t really care anymore.

Saturday night is a dead rubber unless we have to win to avoid Port over there in week 1.

Not only that, considering it's likely there will be a week off either before or after the Prelims winning week 1 isn't that big of a deal either. Of course going out in straight sets would be a nightmare but assuming you get over the semis it wouldnt be the end of the world to lose week 1.

[titan_uranus 25,043]

1 minute ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Not only that, considering it's likely there will be a week off either before or after the Prelims winning week 1 isn't that big of a deal either. Of course going out in straight sets would be a nightmare but assuming you get over the semis it wouldnt be the end of the world to lose week 1.

Except that if we lose this week, there's a chance Port ends up our preliminary final opponent.

The best way to avoid playing a final in someone else's territory is to finish top 2 and win the first final.

[Dr. Gonzo 24,300]

Just now, titan_uranus said:

Except that if we lose this week, there's a chance Port ends up our preliminary final opponent.

The best way to avoid playing a final in someone else's territory is to finish top 2 and win the first final.

Yep of course although to be honest I don't fear playing any team at their home ground (except maybe the Lions) and I doubt the players do either.

[Chook 15,022]

I want to win vs Geelong and play in Adelaide the next week regardless, but it would not be the worst thing should we lose. We then play a real game of football against a real away crowd in the qualifying final. Win that, stay in Adelaide for a couple of weeks to knock over the dregs, then waltz over to Perth for the big one (or, hell, play on Adelaide Oval again with a fair amount of experience there this year if Perth closes up).

Edited August 17, 2021 by Chook

[At Least I Saw a Flag 5,274]

6 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Yep of course although to be honest I don't fear playing any team at their home ground (except maybe the Lions) and I doubt the players do either.

The players seem very comfortable playing interstate this year. Thankfully no matches in Cairns though ... 

[Jaded No More 68,974]

Seriously can Covid just GAGF already?! It’s one thing to mess with our lives and health, it’s another to mess with footy when Melbourne is winning. 

Edited August 17, 2021 by Jaded