Door open at GMHBA Stadium for Geelong to host a final this year

A smart move on GMHBA Stadium’s rebuild has left the door open and with crowds likely to be at a reduced capacity, could this be the year to host a final in Geelong?

THE door is ajar for GMHBA Stadium to host a final this year even if the Cats remain pessimistic about their chances.

Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive Gerard Griffin said there was “always hope” Geelong could host a qualifying or elimination final, should it earn the right.

Work will begin on the stage five redevelopment of the ground in the second week of September, which will see the Ford Stand knocked down and rebuilt.

GMHBA Stadium is hopeful of hosting a final. Picture: Daniel Pockett/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The changerooms at the northern end would be unavailable for a final in the first week of September but they aren’t generally used for AFL matches.

The only final ever staged at Kardinia Park was played in 2013, when Fremantle shocked Geelong.

That game was hosted by the Cats as the MCG held three other matches on that weekend.

But it appears increasingly unlikely crowds will be at capacity for finals, potentially hitting the old adage of playing the games in front of the biggest possible crowd.

Geelong coach Chris Scott said last week that home clubs get “very, very little say, if any” on where finals are played.

“Certainly when it comes to finals that is slightly different in my view than home and away games in that the AFL decides the fixture there,” Scott said.

Luke Dahlhaus marks in front of empty stands against Gold Coast last year. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Cats will play their first game at home in five weeks next weekend against GWS Giants, with no spectators to be allowed.

The ground hosted three matches without fans last season and Griffin said GMHBA Stadium was unfortunately used to preparing for empty stands.

“It’s still pretty sad that we have to continue without any crowd, that is our core purpose (to host fans),” he said.

“We get why, we get the context and that safety is No. 1 and we respect the direction and advice of the state government and the team is preparing for next weekend.

“It is what it is and we respect why it has to be done but we hope to get crowds back once it is safe enough to have them.”

Originally published as Door open at GMHBA Stadium for Geelong to host a final this year