Unfair is the word

THE AFL confirmed its worstkept secret yesterday when fixturing boss Travis Auld quashed Geelong’s hopes of hosting a final this year, irrespective of where the Cats finish after the home and away season.

If the Cats beat Brisbane in Brisbane on Saturday, they are almost certain to finish in the top two. But now we know for sure that achievement won’t earn them a final here in Geelong.

Quite possibly, the Cats would end up playing a lowerplaced powerhouse club, like Richmond or Collingwood, at their home ground — the MCG.

Alternatively, they might end up playing an interstate team, such as Brisbane, West Coast or GWS, at the same venue, or possibly Marvel Stadium.

Apparently when people in the AFL talk about teams fighting to earn a “home final” they’re abbreviating, and are really talking about the right to host a “home state final”.

Geelong is the only team in contention for the top four that would not get to play at the venue of its choice were it to earn a home final. That’s not fair. The league can argue and spin the issue any way it wants, it is undeniably unfair.

Even those who support the decision to play the game at a venue with more seats should be able to recognise that they were willing to compromise the fairness of finals fixturing to maximise crowds.

That is essentially what the AFL’s Travis Auld confirmed yesterday when he emphasised the overriding principle that guides his decisions.

“We want to maximise attendances,” he said

“We want to give as many fans the chance to watch their team play.”

There’s a logic to what Mr Auld says, and there would, no doubt, be thousands of footy fans who agree with him.

Among them would be many Cats fans, some who live outside Geelong, and some who might fear missing a ticket if Geelong’s GMHBA Stadium sold out for a true home final.

They have a point, but let’s not pretend they’re being fair.