Bulldogs 'not moving aside' for soccer Grand Final

[jeemak]

So would the game the previous evening need to be moved also if it takes that much to get the ground up to standard? If so I definitely can't see AFL and FFA coming to terms.

No, it's easily done over night.

Plus with the digital signage it's not so much a manual process anymore.

[soupman]

So would the game the previous evening need to be moved also if it takes that much to get the ground up to standard? If so I definitely can't see AFL and FFA coming to terms.

They could do it in that time frame I imagine, although the ground would still look like crap with all the AFL sponsors painted over.

[azabob]

but I don't want to go to Geelong. I bought two reserved seats for the year (have done so since Docklands built) so why should I be inconvenienced just because a rival competition can't book a stadium.

Fair enough. I also have two seats, like you on level 2 and wouldn't mind going to Geelong for one game.

[GVGjr]

It would have to be very good offer for us to move the game to Geelong. I'd be looking for 300K plus profits from the game.
I really like that we have linked our reasons for not wanting to move the game to our premiership points ambitions. The onus is on someone coming in with a substantial offer to now change our mind.

[1eyedog]

AFL should not give into soccer. They could have booked the ground but they didn't.
It is Footy season now, let the A league work it out $$$.

PS. As you can tell l dont care for soccer.

Oh god soccer... What? Does Bont like it?

[ReLoad]

This is a near perfect scenario for us, and here is why:

Firstly we are playing a game that is expected to attract a small crowd. lets be honest Freo have less supporters than a bucket of hot chips here in Melbourne.
We need a great media spin to move the game, so that the AFL doesnt lose face.

So lets move the game to the WO.

• The A-Leauge can spend 200k on making the ground temporarily match suitable, and pay us another 300k for the inconvenience.
• The AFL "wins" as they can spin it as a hark back to the suburban footy etc, the media will get a kick out of it.
• Us supporters will love it
• We will have a huge home ground advantage.
• We will make a stack of coin on merch/food

And best of all we get to have a real "Home game"

[Webby]

This is a near perfect scenario for us, and here is why:

Firstly we are playing a game that is expected to attract a small crowd. lets be honest Freo have less supporters than a bucket of hot chips here in Melbourne.
We need a great media spin to move the game, so that the AFL doesnt lose face.

So lets move the game to the WO.

• The A-Leauge can spend 200k on making the ground temporarily match suitable, and pay us another 300k for the inconvenience.
• The AFL "wins" as they can spin it as a hark back to the suburban footy etc, the media will get a kick out of it.
• Us supporters will love it
• We will have a huge home ground advantage.
• We will make a stack of coin on merch/food

And best of all we get to have a real "Home game"

I really like this thinking. Probably not quite practical on such short notice, but a great opportunity to push the WO's longer term prospects as a boutique alternative. Has anyone noticed just how far the goals have been brought in from the old configuration? The WO was the longest ground in the VFL back in the day. It was also very narrow. Now with only Etihad and the G really used in Melbourne, the club has shortened and widened the WO playing surface.

This means that the embankment on the Hawkins wing is very narrow, but there is huge space in the drill hall pocket. Were we to bring the fence in at that end, a big stand could be build. Ditto the Mt Mistake pocket. Not to mention behind both goals.

The result would be a 15,000 - 20,000 capacity venue. The city skyline would still be visible over the outer wing. A made for TV venue.
This is a great opportunity for the club to leverage some airtime for the discussion.

[jeemak]

I really like this thinking. Probably not quite practical on such short notice, but a great opportunity to push the WO's longer term prospects as a boutique alternative. Has anyone noticed just how far the goals have been brought in from the old configuration? The WO was the longest ground in the VFL back in the day. It was also very narrow. Now with only Etihad and the G really used in Melbourne, the club has shortened and widened the WO playing surface.

This means that the embankment on the Hawkins wing is very narrow, but there is huge space in the drill hall pocket. Were we to bring the fence in at that end, a big stand could be build. Ditto the Mt Mistake pocket. Not to mention behind both goals.

The result would be a 15,000 - 20,000 capacity venue. The city skyline would still be visible over the outer wing. A made for TV venue.
This is a great opportunity for the club to leverage some airtime for the discussion.

The Hawkins wing would need to revert back to covered standing room, and seated areas would need to be built at each end.

The former presents probably the biggest challenge of the two. Whilst I think having a standing wing would be a beautiful nod to the past, is anyone sure the AFL would tolerate it?

We've painted ourselves into a corner with the configuration of the members side of the ground, unfortunately.

[BulldogBelle]

Oh god soccer... What? Does Bont like it?

Apparently not.

[Eastdog]

Love what your saying Webby. Most likely wont happen but why couldn't we spend the money into the WO say if Ballarat falls through.

[bornadog]

Love what your saying Webby. Most likely wont happen but why couldn't we spend the money into the WO say if Ballarat falls through.

Because we don't have $50 million.

[Axe Man]

Looks like we will be staying put at Etihad with the FFA deciding to play the grand final at AAMI Park should Victory host it.

[Twodogs]

Looks like we will be staying put at Etihad with the FFA deciding to play the grand final at AAMI Park should Victory host it.

Despite its lack of seats the atmosphere for those who do get in should be electric.

[soupman]

Despite its lack of seats the atmosphere for those who do get in should be electric.

For those that get to go this is a much better arrangement. Aami Park is so far ahead of Etihad as a soccer venue it's ridiculous.

[Sedat]

I really like this thinking. Probably not quite practical on such short notice, but a great opportunity to push the WO's longer term prospects as a boutique alternative.

Paging Lantern...