It really is bizarre that a club asking for its home games to be hosted on its home ground could cause such controversy. During the past week Chris Scott and the Geelong FC board have made it clear that they expect all its scheduled home matches to be played in Geelong. Too bloody right.
Seems like a reasonable enough request, yes? You’d be wrong.
There is something about Geelong daring to demand what every other club in the league has the right to enjoy that riles up opposition supporters. They call us whingers, sooks, entitled, cry babies, you name it.
Yet for 2020 there is no longer any excuse for Geelong being forced to play games at the MCG or Marvel Stadium. None. The attendance argument is gone, so it is time for the likes of Collingwood, Richmond, Essendon and Hawthorn to travel down the highway.
The club has spent an exorbitant amount of money on redeveloping the stadium, for which it forecasts it could now be up to $10 million in debt thanks to COVID-19, so it stands to reason that the club’s persistent requests be met not just this year, but into the future as well.
Entitled? Elitist? You’d be joking.
What is entitled and elitist is the idea that some clubs think they are too big and important to be forced to play at GMHBA. That is the ironic thing about this entire debate. Geelong merely ask for what is theirs by right, while the Collingwoods, Richmonds and Hawthorns of the world are indignant at the very idea that they could be forced to play an away game that is actually away.
And they want to call Geelong entitled? Give me a break.
No one says a word about Richmond having 17 games at the MCG, or Collingwood, who travels no more than 4 times interstate most seasons. What Geelong merely asks is that 11 of its games be played at Geelong, and home finals if earned. We are not a Melbourne club.
Is it any different to Brisbane playing 11 games at the GABBA, or Fremantle playing 11 games at Optus Stadium? Try telling those clubs that they get to enjoy a ‘home’ game on enemy territory.
Why is this so important? Well, the home ground advantage is obvious, but the economic argument is even more pertinent. Geelong actually earns more income per home game at GMHBA than at any game at the G or at Marvel. Further to that, it also helps the surrounding economy in the region, so it serves as a social good as well.
The club benefits from additional merchandise, food and beverage sales, and it is not forced to split unreasonable rent costs across several parties as it does when it plays in Melbourne. Obviously this will not be the direct case for most of 2020, but the point remains.
For too long Geelong has been a victim of AFL intransigence and favourtism of the so-called big Melbourne clubs. And it is true that it has cost us potential premierships.
2017 Qualifying Final – forced to play in front of a hostile majority Richmond crowd at the MCG. Lost.
2019 Qualifying Final – forced to play in front of a hostile majority Collingwood crowd at the MCG. Lost.
2019 Preliminary Final – forced to play in front of a hostile majority Richmond crowd at the MCG. Lost.
All were ‘home’ finals, apparently. Great advantage playing against clubs who had run out on the MCG 17 times each that year.
Of course, it is possible that the same losing scenario could have happened at Geelong, as supporters who remember the 2013 experience with Fremantle would affirm, so a win is never guaranteed, but the right to an earned advantage to add to the potential of getting that win is.
There really is considerable injustice that Geelong is repeatedly forced to swallow playing two home games per season away from their ground, and then they are denied the right to a home final when they earn it. They have the right to every possible advantage if they win enough games.
Frankly, it’s bullshit.
Geelong has a natural advantage at GMHBA, yet Melbourne clubs are outraged by Geelong supporters and Chris Scott for having the gall to even suggest that the club is granted what is owed to it.
Their argument? Oh, well, Richmond don’t get to play on Punt Road. North Melbourne don’t get to play on Arden Street.
I’m sorry, but if your club sold out for a poor stadium deal years ago then that is your club’s problem. GMHBA is a registered AFL venue with fixtured games there, so such arguments are hogwash.
One good thing about the 2020 season from Geelong’s perspective is that the old, asinine arguments about GMHBA not being fit for purpose against big Victorian clubs is now irrelevant. So we look forward to playing Collingwood, Essendon and Richmind down the highway.
In 2020, and beyond.
Go Cats.
The Thought Hub 
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