RENEGADES BOSS SAYS WE’LL BE BACK
Renegades return likely after record
MELBOURNE Renegades boss Stuart Coventry says the imminent expansion of the Big Bash League should ensure the team’s return to GMHBA Stadium next season.
But while it appears a formality the Renegades will be back in Geelong in 2018-19, the call ultimately rests with Cricket Australia and the make-up of the fixture.
Coventry said the Renegades would more than likely be back in Geelong for BBL08, but it is unclear how many times the franchise would travel down the highway.
He said talks were set to ramp up with Cricket Australia officials, who hailed Geelong’s BBL debut on Wednesday night an overwhelming success after 23,586 fans turned out — the largest Kardinia Park sporting attendance for a non-AFL match.
“There’s been talk about the expansion of the competition next year, potentially into a full home-andaway tournament, and that will mean seven home games and that opens the door to play more games in other locations,” Coventry said.
“We’ve got a really good relationship with Etihad Stadium management, and that’s crucial for us, but with the growth of the competition, we need to play in these expanded locations to ensure future growth.
“The theory behind a lot of the teams playing in various locations was part of a regionalisation program.
“Other teams play in Launceston, Alice Springs, Canberra and we come to Geelong. We think Geelong is a really good fit for us.
“Right now we’ll have discussions with Cricket Australia and we’ll assess it all probably in about six weeks.
“We’ll talk about the success of the night and, if it ticks all the boxes, there might be an opportunity to play there in the future.”
Negotiations about games in Geelong will be held in autumn and winter.
Geelong, Canberra, Townsville and Gold Coast are pushing for their own franchises in 2018-19, with a major shake-up on the horizon at the end of the broadcast deal.
Geelong’s T20 steering committee wants a team based out of Kardinia Park, meaning the BBL would need to fixture 21 “home” games in Victoria, creating a logistical nightmare.
“I’m a little bit hesitant to discuss what happens from an expansion point of view because that’s for Cricket Australia and the Big Bash League to decide,” Coventry said.
“Right now, we’re dealing with what we’ve got and the game in Geelong was a terrific result for us.
“If we get a bigger competition and we play more games, who knows where it will take us, but the product needs to be proved and you need locations for that to happen.
“There were a lot of officials from Cricket Australia at the game and they were very happy with what happened.
“If the venue gets expanded and they get the Stage 5 extension and we’ve got a 40,000seat stadium, then it’s right up there with the best in the world. And the feedback from players and officials was really positive. It was glowing.
“Aaron Finch, who I caught up with after the game, couldn’t speak more highly enough of that venue. He said the wicket was great and the players enjoyed the experience.”