Bring-Back-Powell

Sutton hasn't ruled out crowds for Queens birthday and is encouraged by the data over the last couple of days. When asked he could've easily shut the idea down.

I think you and I are the only posters here that think this game should still be at the G. From a purely footballing point of view, I want this game at the G as we need to play as many games at the G as possible to prefect our game plan in time for September. And as you mentioned, the players are hell bent on not hubbing and would much prefer to play the game here and wake up in their own beds on game day. That counts for lot in my book.

I think this game will be at the G in front of an empty stadium. The players have made it clear that they don't want to be hubbing, so why make them travel unnecessarily if the game can be played in Melbourne under the essential services provision despite the possible lockdown extension. In terms of lost revenue, it's not great but we've been told that we have one of the stronger balance sheets in the AFL and are proudly an unassisted club. Plus, a genuine finals tilt will help our finances down the track. Furthermore, we need to play as many games at the G this year to absolute nail down our game plan in preparation for finals. Playing hub games at Adelaide Oval, Giants Stadium, Cairns etc...defeats this purpose.

Lockdown likely extended to at least Monday 11:59pm and as far as Thursday 11:59pm (10 June) according to the latest reports.

Giants Stadium almost over the line - Stevens on ch 7 news just then.

100% spot on. I've been campaigning to have this game moved to Saturday night 19 June, and have our bye next weekend. Failing that, just play the game at the G in front of nobody. I'm sure the players would prefer to stay in VIC than live out of a suitcase for 5 weeks.

Great idea. Except what do you do with the unvaccinated (not by choice) 20 - 39 year old cohorts that support the Dees just as much as the over 40's and deserve to go to the footy just as much?

Why is there contemplation of the Melbourne V Collingwood game being anywhere else other than the MCG? Pies are flying in/flying out this weekend. We're flying in/flying out this weekend. Both sides will be back in VIC on Sunday in preparation for the Dees V Pies games. Both sides then have a bye. Dees then play Essendon the following week in Melbourne. We should not be hubbing through to 26 June.

Is it absolutely confirmed that the NT would not give us a payment. After all it's them that are not allowing us into their state through absolutely no fault of our own. I think some sort of compromise would be appropriate.

No way to the GABBA. Can we stop giving Brisbane a free pass to another top 4 finish. In 2020 they played 14/17 games in QLD - you read that right - 14!!!!! They were absolutely gifted a premiership. They duly finished top 2 and blew it in the prelim.

It is a fair question but I feel it’s giving Brisbane too much of a free kick. We’re absolutely playing for sheep stations at the moment and we shouldn’t be giving a direct contender an additional home game. Not this year. All the talk is that the game will be in Sydney so it’s pretty much a moot point. If we really wanted to play in QLd we’d get the exemption from their government who are full of double standards.

I said a fortress at finals time when there will be crowds. If the Q Birthday game can be played at the G without a crowd, then why would we play the game interstate? Clubs and the AFL are doing everything they can to not hub interstate, so it’s likely we’ll be in VIC anyway on that long weekend.

Jonathan Brown (On the Couch) stating that Melbourne should play this game at the Gabba for the good of the game. He thinks the fact that’s our home game is completely irrelevant.

I’m glad there’s speculation the Dees v Pies game will still be at the G, even without a crowd. Id rather play at the G in front of nobody than a pointless 1,500 at Giants stadium or Metricon stadium where finals won’t be played. We need to play as many games as possible at the home of footy in order to make the G a fortress come finals.

Don't know how I'd handle watching us win a flag at the GABBA while being in a stage 4 lockdown in Melbourne. It would be a life long dream of so many die hard MFC members/supporters to see the boys win a flag live at the G.

I think this lock down has a 6-8 weeks stench about it. Today's numbers and the settings where the virus spread were a blow IMO. Back at the G in late July. Miss out on seeing Pies, Dons and GWS games.

Agree with is. We got 31,000 to a Melbourne V Collingwood game in late 2019 when we couldn't win a game to save ourselves and even the CFC supporters weren't that interested in attending despite being a top 4 side that year. With the Pies down and out, I think 35K - 40K would be a solid estimate for QB this year. I still think both sides should have their bye in round 13 in the hope that we can play this game on Saturday night 19 June at the MCG and have the big freeze then. We only have one potential big home crowd left and that's against the Dogs on a likely Friday night in late July. GWS, Hawthorn, and Adelaide home gates won't be paying the bills this year.

I don't like it either. On field footy results should always come before finances when we're in a premiership window. This game could be the difference between finishing second (hosting Brisbane in the qualifying final) or finishing third (travelling to Brisbane in week 1). I get Binman's logic about the SCG not really being much more of an advantage over the GABBA but every percent helps. At absolute worst if they want to play this in QLD, play it at Metricon.

Would be bitterly disappointing if Queens birthday won't be happening at the G. As is suggested in another thread, the Dees and Pies should have their bye on round 13 (Q'BDAY weekend) and look to play this game on Saturday night 19 June and have the big freeze that evening. Hopefully attract 45K and recoup some loss earnings.

A bit of left field thinking here but if the situation isn’t looking great (but not dire) by this time next week, why not cancel Queens-birthday and give both sides the bye for the weekend of 11 June - 14 June (round 13) Then fixture the Melb V Pies game on the night of Saturday 19 June and have the big slide on that occasion. Hopefully get 45,000 and recoup a bit lost earnings. A crowd of 750-1,000 at Giants stadium or the SCG on a potential Queens Birthday matchup is just pathetic.

Ch 7 news reported it just then. I think it was Mark Stevens that mentioned Brisbane as an outside chance to host the game. Aside from finances I can’t work out the rationale in conceding a home game to Brisbane.

If Brisbane could get an exemption from their government to fly in - fly out, why can’t this game be at the MCG in front of nobody. I find it hard to believe that we will make a buck in front of 1,500 people at the SCG. May as well lobby to play the game at our home ground and not mess around with travel.

We must be desperate for cash if we’re contemplating “hosting” Brisbane at the Gabba on Friday night. What an absolute home ground advantage that would be for Brisbane- the same side that played 14/17 home and away games in QLD last year.

Absolutely. Giants stadium would be preferable in my book. As long as we don’t cave in and play this game at Metricon to suit Brisbane Lions, then I’ll settle with the SCG. Any chance the NT government will provide some sort of payment to us given that they’re the organisation that won’t let us play there.

Geelong would be asking the same question given how much better a side they are.