Dutchy wrote:CoverKing wrote:Dutchy wrote:Good move as most AFL finals are at night these days to maximise TV so leave Sat arvo devoid of footy, although it might clash with some local GF's.
If only they would move these finals to neutral suburban grounds it would be fantastic.
I agree with all except the neutral part. Reckon it would be great for home finals to reward the sides that finish higher on the ladder and also reward the local fans of each side
Id prefer a double header at a neutral ground, e.g. say Sturt/North followed by Norwood/Centrals at Richmond would get 10-12k and would be a fantastic atmosphere, almost going back to the old days of SANFL.
Won't happen.
The logistics of potentially having one club with teams at different grounds and facilities is one that would happen at regularly. For example if they had that system last year in the 2nd week of finals, when Norwood played Centrals at Elizabeth, who would have played the reserves game before hand - Centrals v Port or Glenelg v Norwood???
One of Norwood or Centrals would have had to split their match day staff and equipment between Woodville and Elizabeth. Given league and reserves teams share, water bottles, drink containers, medical equipment, property staff, training staff and medical staff no club will agree to having finals played at suburban venues. they don't have the resources to make it happen.
Given the current state of both the Reserves and League ladders the same situaltion is likely in the 2nd week of finals this year (even allowing for the current league team in 4th position losing the 1st final

) Norwood would play Centrals in the league 2nd sem and sturt in the ressies at one ground for arguments sake. In the 1st Semi finals it would be West and Glenelg (

) and West and Centrals in the ressies at another ground. Either Norwood, West or Centrals would have to split their match day resources (provided centrals didn't lose the Elimination Final to Port). depending on how they configured the finals match ups/locations
The other logistical nightmare is only one venue has the facilities where it could happen (if you have four different clubs playing on the one day) or host double header finals - Norwood Oval. They have or did have two additional changerooms under the western stand which could be used for the reserves or the Elimination/1st Semi final. All other grounds have the space in the home team changerooms but the away rooms could not fit two seperate clubs in the one rooms (A league side getting ready whilst another clubs rserves are playing) For the same reasons listed above apart from guernseys everything for the league team is used for the reserves so no way could you use Alberton, Glenelg, Unley, Noarlunga, Richmond. It is possible to an extent at Woodville, Elizabeth and Prospect as those away rooms have sufficeint space.
Another thing is players of the finals clubs like playing at Footy park or in the Old Days Adelaide oval. It has great facilities, has a special feel and rewards those players for making finals. Like supporters they are stakeholders in tehg ame too so why shouldn't they get the opportunity to play on Footy park or the new Adelaide Oval if SANFL finals get played there??