Members lose out in home final
... KENNETT: CATS DESERVE IT, BUT
HAWTHORN president Jeff Kennett says Geelong is entitled to host a home final at GMHBA Stadium if it finishes in the top two this season, but it also has a duty to its 65,000 members.
The former Victorian premier has weighed in on the Geelong home final debate, throwing his support behind the Cats’ right to play at Kardinia Park should they draw an interstate side.
But Mr Kennett says Geelong’s duty to its members and the AFL’s to the opposition may override any urge to secure a crucial home advantage for the Cats.
“It means the vast majority of Geelong members will not be able to go to the game,” he said.
“So where does Geelong’s loyalties lie?
“Do they lie to members or do they lie to give themselves the best chance of winning a game of football?
“I think they’re entitled because of where they will finish on the ladder to claim a home game — the question, though, is does that entitlement override their responsibility to their members.
“Boards have to worry about customers and the AFL also have a responsibility.
“So if the game were played between Geelong and Collingwood, that is a huge disadvantage to the vast majority of Geelong and Collingwood members.” Mr r Kennett said the simple fact t was Geelong’s stadium was too small to host large finals matches.
“I don’t think the MCG is foreign to Geelong, Hawthorn is going to be playing them in a couple of weeks at their home game there,” he said.
“So Geelong plays home games at the MCG as well.
“I don’t think that argument holds up as much as it does for Collingwood playing at Geelong because Geelong will then have a massive home advantage.”
Meanwhile, Cats star Patrick Dangerfield admitted he would not feel comfortable if the Cats finished in the top two having to play a “home” final against Richmond for example at the MCG.
“Look it’s not perfect,” Dangerfield said.
“If we finish in that position and earn the right to play a home final, then we should get that right.
“It shouldn’t be changed just because of the size of the crowd that a stadium can hold.”
Dangerfield said he believed the fairness of the competition should override how many spectators could come and view the game. “I think our fans would prefer it for us to have the best chance of winning if it’s in the tradition rather than everyone getting the opportunity to get there,” he said. “If you really want to be there, I think you’ll find a way.” Former Richmond coach Danny Frawley also backed the Cats’ bid for a home final. “I remember interviewing Chris Scott on the boundary line in the 2017 first final against Richmond,” Frawley said. “They (Geelong) finished higher than Richmond that year. “We had a good laugh because he said, ‘can you believe this is our home final?’ And we looked around and there were 70,000 Richmond supporters. It doesn’t make sense. They deserve a home final. End of story.” He dismissed suggestions the Cats would be better off playing a home final at the MCG, the venue for the grand final. “You’ve got to get there first,” Frawley said. “It’s all right to say, ‘ you play the grand final at the MCG so why wouldn’t you want to play at the ’G’, but you’ve got to get there.”