A-League Grand Final In Sydney

[The Coon Dog]

The FFA have decided that neither Newcastle or Central Coast Mariners have adequate stadia to host the A-League Grand Final & have determined that it will be played in Sydney!

Under A-League rules, the winner of the major semi-final earns the right of home advantage for the championship game.

But this season that will almost certainly not be the case with minor premiers Central Coast or the second-placed Jets set to “host” the grand final at either the Sydney Football Stadium or ANZ Stadium.

“We think it's in the best interest of the game, growing the game, and taking the game to the biggest possible audience that we play in a stadium that has the capacity to host 40,000 plus people,” said FFA chief executive Ben Buckley.

Newcastle's EnergyAustralia Stadium holds 26,000 people, while Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford has a capacity of 20,059.

On a side note Queensland Roar have the luxury of playing the return leg of their knock out semi final with Sydney at home due to a rock concert being played at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.

Usually the side finishing higher (in this case Sydney) hosts the all important return leg.

Seems like the A-League have a few scheduling issues.

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

They're lucky the two teams involved aren't too far away.

I wonder what would have happened if Adelaide finished top? Hindmarsh Stadium wouldn't hold many more than 20,000 I wouldn't think.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

They're lucky the two teams involved aren't too far away.

I wonder what would have happened if Adelaide finished top? Hindmarsh Stadium wouldn't hold many more than 20,000 I wouldn't think.

Adelaide Oval, they played a game there recently.

[The Underdog]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

To be honest I think it's a joke. Imagine if Central Coast had to play Sydney in Sydney.
I understand they want to maximise attendance to make money, but I just think it's unfair on the side who lose the home ground advantage just because they are from a smaller market.
There's definitely some issues with the way the game is being run under the current administration. There's some definite positives with the A-League as a comp and the forward steps that it has made, but there's quite a few things popping up along the way that aren't necessarily positive. It's all a bit AFL, but then that might be Buckley's influence. Or maybe I've just been listening to Craig Foster too much.

[westdog54]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

The FFA have decided that neither Newcastle or Central Coast Mariners have adequate stadia to host the A-League Grand Final & have determined that it will be played in Sydney!

Under A-League rules, the winner of the major semi-final earns the right of home advantage for the championship game.

But this season that will almost certainly not be the case with minor premiers Central Coast or the second-placed Jets set to “host” the grand final at either the Sydney Football Stadium or ANZ Stadium.

“We think it's in the best interest of the game, growing the game, and taking the game to the biggest possible audience that we play in a stadium that has the capacity to host 40,000 plus people,” said FFA chief executive Ben Buckley.

Newcastle's EnergyAustralia Stadium holds 26,000 people, while Bluetongue Stadium in Gosford has a capacity of 20,059.

On a side note Queensland Roar have the luxury of playing the return leg of their knock out semi final with Sydney at home due to a rock concert being played at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.

Usually the side finishing higher (in this case Sydney) hosts the all important return leg.

Seems like the A-League have a few scheduling issues.

Absoulte rubbish ruling.

They've had a two full bloody seasons to "grow the game". Let the best team of the season to date be rewarded appropriately.

And as for Queensland, if their main stadium is unavailable, find another one. What's wrong with ANZ Stadium (Ballymore)? Surely it's suitable for Soccer? Suncorp (Lang Park) was built for rugby after all...

[Sockeye Salmon]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

To be honest I think it's a joke. Imagine if Central Coast had to play Sydney in Sydney.
I understand they want to maximise attendance to make money, but I just think it's unfair on the side who lose the home ground advantage just because they are from a smaller market.
There's definitely some issues with the way the game is being run under the current administration. There's some definite positives with the A-League as a comp and the forward steps that it has made, but there's quite a few things popping up along the way that aren't necessarily positive. It's all a bit AFL, but then that might be Buckley's influence. Or maybe I've just been listening to Craig Foster too much.

Like Geelong having to play a grand final in Melbourne?

[The Underdog]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

Like Geelong having to play a grand final in Melbourne?

The AFL GF has been played in Melbourne since the competition became the AFL and obviously dating to the beginning of the VFL from which it evolved, including teams from outside Vic having to play GF's against Melbourne teams even if they finished higher on the ladder. If the AFL were to change this tradition and allocate home GF's to the team finishing higher then we would have to live with it, as unlikely as that is.
The A-League however has had 2 GF's in it's short history both held at the home of the team which won the major semi-final. To change that ruling based on the size of the team's home town market seems hypocritical to me. Maybe they should just pick a venue at the start of the year, or just allocate the GF to Sydney every year and create a tradition much like the AFL has.
I understand the corporate and financial interests behind the decision not to hold it in Gosford or Newcastle, but as usual these come before the game and sport itself. Be it AFL or A-League

[LostDoggy]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

If they hold it in Sydney and Sydney FC plays then they should play it at the neutral venue of Homebush and not FC's home ground of SFS.

[westdog54]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

The AFL GF has been played in Melbourne since the competition became the AFL and obviously dating to the beginning of the VFL from which it evolved, including teams from outside Vic having to play GF's against Melbourne teams even if they finished higher on the ladder. If the AFL were to change this tradition and allocate home GF's to the team finishing higher then we would have to live with it, as unlikely as that is.
The A-League however has had 2 GF's in it's short history both held at the home of the team which won the major semi-final. To change that ruling based on the size of the team's home town market seems hypocritical to me. Maybe they should just pick a venue at the start of the year, or just allocate the GF to Sydney every year and create a tradition much like the AFL has.
I understand the corporate and financial interests behind the decision not to hold it in Gosford or Newcastle, but as usual these come before the game and sport itself. Be it AFL or A-League

Agreed. All clubs know at the start of the season that the Grand Final is going to be at the MCG, what day it will be, what time it will start.

A-League teams go into the start of the season thinking that topping the table gives them a shot at a home grand final. Completely different kettle of fish. Purely a marketing decision and a ridiculously cynical one at that.

[The Underdog]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

If they hold it in Sydney and Sydney FC plays then they should play it at the neutral venue of Homebush and not FC's home ground of SFS.

Marconi stadium perhaps?

[LostDoggy]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

Marconi stadium perhaps?

probably seats 10K? might as well play it in Newcastle or Gosford then.

I see why the FFA are doing it, I just hope it doesn't make Sydney win it.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

probably seats 10K? might as well play it in Newcastle or Gosford then.

I see why the FFA are doing it, I just hope it doesn't make Sydney win it.

What happens if it's one of Jets/Marriners v Queensland? Won't be too many Sydneysiders wanting to go.

[LostDoggy]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

What happens if it's one of Jets/Marriners v Queensland? Won't be too many Sydneysiders wanting to go.

I hope its home state advantage. I think plenty of Newcastle and CCM fans will make the trip as they both ain't that far from Sydney.

Believe me Queensland are no chance anyway. Anyone who saw the Adelaide vs Queensland last week will know why. Inexperienced line up and will be missing key players.
I cracked up laughing watching the ex Victorian Danny Tiatto get sent off. He deserves at least 3 weeks. A perfect short arm cross with his left to Adelaide's Dodd's jaw while looking the other way at the ball. He should have been sent off in the(twice) in the first match against Adelaide in August.

[The Underdog]

Re: A-League Grand Final In Sydney

probably seats 10K? might as well play it in Newcastle or Gosford then.

I see why the FFA are doing it, I just hope it doesn't make Sydney win it.

Realised i needed one of these after my post