GWS Giants home final against Sydney won’t be at Spotless Stadium
GWS Giants face losing their home-ground advantage in the playoffs if they host a final against cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans.
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GWS Giants face losing their home-ground advantage in the playoffs if they host a final against cross-town rivals the Sydney Swans.
The AFL, which controls the finals, is considering scheduling the Giants to play a potential Sydney derby final at ANZ Stadium if the 82,000 seat venue is available.
It’s anticipated that a first Giants-Swans final would easily draw above 60,000 fans — more than double the 24,000-seat capacity of Spotless Stadium, the home base for GWS.
The AFL is wary of the potential backlash if it locked out 30-40,000 Swans fans.
Sydney’s membership base is almost 56,523, while the Giants, in only their fifth season, have 15,311 members.
With the Giants and Swans second and third on the ladder respectively and only four rounds remaining in the regular season, there is a genuine possibility of a Sydney derby in week one of the finals.
“We would seek to maximise our crowd potential if the two teams played and, therefore, ANZ Stadium would be part of that discussion,’’ an AFL spokesman said. “But we have not made a definitive decision.’’
GWS chief executive David Matthews talked of exciting times for the young club and he reinforced the Giants’ preference to play any potential home final at Spotless, while conceding it’s the AFL’s call.
“As the AFL’s youngest club, we’re proud to have qualified for the finals in only our fifth year in the competition,’’ Matthews said. “If an all-Sydney final did eventuate, it would be great for the code.
“If the Giants secure a home final, our preference would obviously be Spotless Stadium — our home and the No.1-ranked venue in the AFL — and the AFL understands that.
“The exception being that the AFL have indicated they’d consider ANZ Stadium if the Giants were hosting the Swans, in order to maximise attendance.
“We don’t know if that match-up will happen but if it does, it’s ultimately the AFL’s decision.”
The AFL’s contract with ANZ Stadium for the finals in Sydney only applies to Swans games and not Giants matches.
However, with the significantly smaller capacity of Spotless Stadium, the league would not only upset an army of Swans fans but potentially cost themselves more than $1 million in ticket sales.
The only way a potential Giants-Swans final would not be played at ANZ Stadium is if there is a clash with the NRL over availability.
The NRL has priority but given the lack of Sydney teams in the top eight, it’s unlikely there will be a venue clash.
If the Giants get a home final against an interstate side, the AFL has indicated it would schedule the match at Spotless Stadium.
Originally published as GWS Giants home final against Sydney won’t be at Spotless Stadium
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