Bring-Back-Powell

Port have played in Tassie 11 times - 10 at Launceston. 5-6 record overall.

Because it upsets Gerard Whateley.

Oh well if nothing else I'm glad our club is sticking up for itself, and sticking it to the Gerard Whateley's of the world who would deem it selfish if we hosted a final at the MCG in front of no fans.

Agreed. Small sample space but we did not play well in our 3 games at Metricon in 2020. Conversely we had very good wins at the GABBA last year (if you ignore the Port disaster) If we took the show to QLD, would rather the GABBA.

For those that have witnessed 1988 and 2000, the only answer would be watching a GF win on TV over attending a GF loss. They are humiliating experiences watching your team cooked by quarter time in a grand final. I know people have shot me down for this question but if you were given the choice of winning a flag in 2021 or 2022 which one would you choose - bearing in mind that you will be guaranteed that one of the two years we will win the flag under this hypothetical. (obviously without the hypothetical option, you take the 2021 premiership and run with it!!) I would choose 2022. I know many would choose 2021 due to their own individual circumstances, but I want a grand final week where we can soak up the action, attend the MCG live for the game with our guaranteed tickets, and experience the elation of the MFC players and supporters at 4:30pm when the magical siren blows to signal that your team is the premier. I want to experience the fairy tale that Richmond, Dogs, Geelong and Sydney supporters experienced this century. And enjoy the celebrations with your friends and family well into the night. Watching it on TV in the world's toughest lockdown just doesn't compare to the above experience that many of us would be denied.

Hadn't thought of that one but that's more of a home ground advantage than Adelaide Oval or Gabba, which is where I reckon the AFL (not us) will urge us to play.

We’ve never beaten Geelong on a Saturday night at GHMBA stadium. We’ve either lost after the siren or got tonked by 80 points 2 games after appearing in a prelim.

Would you be happy to wait until next year if you were given that luxury when the GF will return to the MCG, but at the expense of either losing the GF or not making the GF this year? Genuine hypothetical.

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 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.

Stop it, you’re making too much sense.

A) Win on tv . Attending the Essendon 2000 grand final was a humiliating feeling that stuck around for years. B) Hard question, but as we can’t attend the GF, I think I’d rather lose a prelim, get the pain over and done with and reload next year.

I hope your mail’s right. As mentioned above, I can’t fathom how Perth is an option given their absolutely zero tolerance to COVID.

No. Immediate family members will not be permitted in the state at this stage Everything is on McGowans terms and the AFL should look elsewhere.

Finally some common sense from a member of the media and it came from Craig Hutchison of all people. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=1235356780219049&external_log_id=56450b80-b880-41c1-b1da-6efd107b84d6&q=footy classified Whilst the entire media are infatuated with the Dream Time and the bells and whistles that Optus Stadium would provide for a grand final, Hutchison correctly points out that McGowan will shut the grand final down on the back of one case - ONE CASE!!! Even it hits on the morning of grand final day. How can the AFL possibly take such a risk hosting our show case event in the most risk averse state run by the most risk averse premier. It would be an absolute farce if the grand final was played behind closed doors after weeks of hype and excitement. Plus the fact that he won't allow player's families to come across for the game will be sure to upset the player and club fraternity. Play the GF elsewhere or the league could find itself in the most embarrassing of situations.

Exactly my thoughts too. The club should dig their heels in ensure all they can to host week 1 at the G (if we finish top 2) rather than listen to Gerard Whately and most other commentators who are infatuated with crowds. We finish top 2, we host at MCG as far as I'm concerned. I would not risk T Mac until finals if there's any doubt with his back. IN - May, Viney Out - Smith, Sparrow Hibberd's lucky that Hunt's injured Melksham's lucky that T Mac might not be risked.

There's speculation that crowds will be allowed under scenario 5. I suspect there will be lot of MFC fans that will suddenly convert their Ocean Grove and Torquay properties from holiday homes to principal place of residence.

I would, but certainly not as much as playing Port or Brisbane.

Whaetley and Dunstall on 360 are adamant our week 1 final should not be at the MCG under any circumstances, should we finish top 2. They’re saying that we must sacrifice our home ground advantage in the interests of a crowd. Should we be willing to “host “ Brisbane at Metricon in order to get a whopping 6 or 7,000 to please the commentators?

Victoria would have to be downgraded from medium risk to low risk to even have that opportunity to quarantine for 14 days in Perth prior to GF day. At this stage Victorians need a special exemption to enter the state, and then they still must isolate for 14 days. Well that’s my understanding anyway. I would be surprised if fans could get over for the GF in any form.

Very similar to Rivers in that he hit the ground running on his debut and looked absolutely comfortable at this level.

At which stadium? Remarkably, the AFL and MCC are still in discussions to have 50% at the MCG, as much of a Hail Mary that proposition is.

What happens to the grand final if COVID hits Perth during grand final week and McGowan orders the game to be played with no fans. It's happened twice this year. What's the continency plan then?

Gerard Healy has been very strong on us since early 2020 if you listen to his evening show with Scoop McClure. Has seen the potential in us for a long while. David King was the original believer in us back in 2018, but these days he jumps on and off us depending on what color jocks he's wearing on the day.

The media are really pushing the "MFC are winning the GF" fairytale. Eddie was banging on about it in the telecast yesterday.