Busy time ahead at footy mecca
THE MCG could host as many as four first-round finals including a Thursday-night blockbuster depending on results this weekend.
In a thrilling finish to the home and away season, Richmond, Collingwood, Hawthorn and Melbourne are all in the running to host finals matches at the home of football.
Brisbane holds the key — the Lions would need to knock off a flagging West Coast at the Gabba on Sunday and other relevant favourites (Collingwood, Melbourne and Sydney) win.
MCC chief executive Stuart Fox yesterday said the footy mecca could handle four blockbuster matches, potentially drawing more than 310,000 fans through the gates, across the first weekend of September.
“It would depend on how the results fell this weekend of course, but the MCG would happily accommodate four finals matches,” Fox said.
“That may mean a Thursday-night final, but the AFL will make that call depending on what happens in the games this weekend. It is an exciting finish to the season.”
It is understood 54,000 capacity Etihad Stadium is not being considered to host any of those Melbourne finals, with a view to maximising attendances.
In the event there were three or four MCG finals, the AFL would schedule a Thursday-night game in Melbourne, rather than a Sunday fixture.
Three Melbourne games is considered the most likely scenario, based on all the favourites winning this weekend.
Barring an upset, Richmond would host Sydney (MCG), West Coast would host Collingwood (Perth Stadium), Melbourne would take on Geelong (MCG) while GWS would travel to take on Hawthorn (MCG).
The AFL would have no problem scheduling a Thursday-night final in Melbourne because the pre-finals bye ensures teams are guaranteed at least a 10 days break after its final regular season game.
If there are three Melbourne finals, the MCG would host games on Thursday night, Friday night and either Saturday afternoon or Saturday night.
The other interstate game would be played in the alternate Saturday timeslot, keeping Sunday football free in the first weekend of finals.
The AFL would prefer to keep Sunday clear to help give teams the maximum rest time for the second week of finals.
It also gives the league increased flexibility to lock in its preferred schedule in the second and third week of finals.
But if there were four MCG finals, the league would have to schedule a Sunday eliminator, potentially between Melbourne and Geelong.
If there are only two MCG finals, they would be played on Friday night and either Saturday afternoon or Saturday night.
It would depend on how the results fell this weekend of course, but the MCG would happily accommodate four finals matches. STUART FOX