Come on down Blues

Geelong puts Carlton clash on Kardinia Park 2018 wish list

GEELONG is eyeing a Simonds Stadium blockbuster against Carlton in 2018.

It is understood the Cats are keen in locking down the clash, Carlton’s first at Geelong’s home ground in 21 years.

Geelong’s formal fixture submission asked for a clash against the Blues in a prime Saturday timeslot in the early part of the season.

The last time the Blues played at the Cattery was Round 20, 1997, when Carlton legend Stephen Silvagni booted three goals and midfield great Craig Bradley racked up 29 possessions.

Geelong wants to draw more big Victorian clubs to Simonds Stadium and will continue to lobby the league for as many as 11 home games a year plus finals at its revamped boutique venue.

The Cats will meet Richmond in a blockbuster qualifying final next Friday night at the MCG after the Tigers were controversially drawn to play at the Cattery in Round 21.

The match drew 32,266 fans, the highest crowd at Simonds Stadium since 1993.

The AFL admitted the Round 21 decision was based on the Tigers’ dismal 2015 onfield form, making Carlton a prime candidate to make the trip down the Princes Highway next year.

The past five CarltonGeelong games have attracted an average 35,000 fans at Etihad Stadium and have broken the 50,000 mark only twice since 1997.

Geelong will play Hawthorn in the Easter Monday blockbuster in Round 2 and wants to tackle Carlton at home, preferably between Rounds 4-8.

Meanwhile, Collingwood has requested a Round 1 blockbuster against Melbourne in a move that would allow the Demons to retain hosting rights for the Queen’s Birthday match next year.

The Magpies considered reclaiming hosting rights for the Queens’s Birthday Monday blockbuster but will seek a Round 1 battle as part of a gatesharing agreement, similar to the Anzac Day deal with Essendon.

The marquee seasonopener would give Melbourne an immediate shot at redemption against Collingwood, after blowing its finals hopes in Saturday’s 16-point shock loss to the Pies.

The Melbourne match will kickstart a softer draw for the Pies in 2018 as Collingwood looks to break into the eight for the first time in five years under re-signed coach Nathan Buckley.

The Pies finished in the bottom six, meaning it will play fewer games against higherranked teams in 2018.

Importantly, the Queen’s Birthday peace plan will also ensure Melbourne continues to host Neale Daniher’s Big Freeze at the G event on the June 11 public holiday.

The Demons have helped build the fundraiser into one of the most popular events on the football calendar, helping raise more than $15 million for motor neurone disease research.

Melbourne president Glen Bartlett said a fortnight ago the Demons were open to a solution that would suit both clubs.