Geelong grand final live site will not operate for 2022 AFL decider
Geelong’s mayor says a “grey area” in responsibility is behind the lack of a public live site in the city for AFL grand final day. HAVE YOUR SAY
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Responsibility for organising an AFL grand final live site in Geelong is a “grey area” mayor Peter Murrihy says.
Cats fans have voiced strong disappointment about the “embarrassing” snub after it was decided not to establish a site for the public to watch the grand final broadcast.
It comes as the Geelong Football Club boss said it had organised events to engage members and supporters.
Mr Murrihy said plans for a live site for Saturday were never locked in and encouraged footy fans to lap up the grand final buzz at the region’s hospitality venues.
“It’s never been the plan to have a live site. It was discussed, I don’t know at what level it was discussed at,” Cr Murrihy told the Addy.
“The football club decided not to proceed with the live site at St Mary’s (Football Club). “Ultimately is it a council responsibility? It seems it is a grey area as to whose responsibility it is.
“We were aware that the (Geelong) footy club were considering a live site at St Mary’s Football Club (oval) that hasn’t (been) proceeded with.”
An Addy poll shows 93 per cent of more than 400 respondents want a public grand final live site in Geelong.
Just 17,000 of the Cats’ 72,000 members received a grand final ticket through a ballot allocation.
Asked if the Geelong Football Club would support council if it established a live site, chief executive Steve Hocking said it was a matter for council.
“I’ve got no comment on that, I think that’s really for the council to work through,” Mr Hocking told the Addy on Thursday.
“We’ve clearly got a range of things that are going on, we’ve got AFLW tonight (Thursday), there’s the parade tomorrow, the game Saturday, the supporters’ day Sunday.”
“There’s a range of things that have been organised to make sure that all of our member and supporters are engaged in what is an event that everyone’s looking forward to.”
GMHBA Stadium can’t be used as a live site because access is needed for preparations for the ICC T20 Cup in October.
Big screens in Yarra Park near the MCG will show the game on Saturday, the state government said.
Addy reader Stuart said: “Why couldn’t they use ovals like Geelong West or even Lara at the sports club. The council should have had a contingency plan in place. Very poor planning by both club and council.”
Footy fan Sue said: “Really disappointing there’s no live site. It’s embarrassing for Geelong. Melbourne media would have crossed to the Geelong crowd all day. Not everybody wants to watch the game in a pub.”
Addy reader Rob posted said: “An absolute cop out by both COGG and GFC. The club was very happy to take members money through Covid, particularly from families. This is the thanks paid back in return. All too hard.”
Cats fans from across Victoria and interstate are planning trips to Geelong for grand final day.
Geelong council ran a live site at GMHBA Stadium, then named Skilled Stadium, for footy fans to watch the 2007 grand final.
‘Pathetic’: Cats fans slam no live site call
Cats fans have slammed the decision to have no local live sites airing the grand final between Geelong and the Sydney Swans on Saturday as “pathetic”.
The City of Greater Geelong has gone to ground over the controversial decision and refused to respond to further questions on Wednesday.
A poll conducted by the Geelong Advertiser found that 92 per cent of 350 voters wanted a live site in Geelong.
Addy readers were quick to criticise the move online, with Aaron Beard writing he had planned to drive 400km to GMHBA stadium to watch the game on the big screen.
“That’s very disappointing to hear,” he wrote of the decision.
Kate Matthew wrote: “The AFL should put it on for the thousands of Geelong members who missed out on GF tickets.”
Alan said the move was “pathetic, small minded thinking”.
The Geelong Advertiser revealed on Tuesday the City of Greater Geelong and the Geelong Football Club had opted to hold no free live sites airing the grand final match.
Geelong Superintendent Peter Ward said plans for a live site had been “up in the air” until Tuesday.
It’s understood a live site was mooted for St Mary’s oval but ultimately was not secured.
“We have engaged with our stakeholder group, it was up in the air what they wanted to do,” he said.
“(On Tuesday) we were advised there would be no live site.
“We were being guided by advice from the City of Greater Geelong, St Mary’s and the Geelong football club.”
Supt Ward said police had been waiting on a decision from the stakeholder group and had committed to providing advice on policing needs for any events – including a live site.
Earlier this week the Geelong Football Club confirmed 17,000 of its 72,000 members had received a grand final ticket through ballot allocation.
The Geelong Football Club said on Tuesday it was “supportive” of the council’s position to encourage fans to go to local venues to view the game.
Reader Winston Facey said: “City of Greater Geelong, what about families with young kids who don’t want to go to a pub to watch the game?”
Brooke said the news was “terrible” and left the region without “family-friendly options” to watch the game.
“I had such an incredible time there in previous years,” she wrote.
“This is the first Cats grand final (outside of Covid restrictions) since my son was born, so I didn’t go in the ballot so I could take him to the home ground.
“What are fans supposed to do that can’t get/afford grand final tickets?”
Cats fans’ bitter blow
Geelong will have no live sites airing the grand final on Saturday, with Cats fans instead urged to attend local hospitality venues.
The news is expected to disappoint thousands of Cats fans who are hoping the Geelong Football Club can clinch victory over the Sydney Swans.
City of Greater Geelong Cr Anthony Aitken, who is a staunch Cats supporter, said he was “really disappointed” by the decision.
The Geelong Advertiser understands GMHBA stadium cannot be used as a live site because access is needed ahead of preparations for the ICC T20 Cup in October.
It’s believed the St Mary’s oval, in the Kardinia Park precinct, was investigated as an option for a live site but was ultimately not secured.
Council and the football club have come together to host live sites for all grand finals Geelong has played in recent history, except the 2020 final which was played during Covid lockdown.
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There was no live site in 2020 because the final was played during Covid lockdown.
In 2011, crowds packed the live site at Steampacket Gardens to watch the Cats defeat Collingwood.
When Geelong ended its 44-year premiership drought with a win over Port Adelaide during the 2007 grand final, fans packed the then named Skilled Stadium to watch the game on the big screen.
Cr Aitken said the live site event became “too hard to organise”.
“I was disappointed that we couldn’t organise something in time,” Cr Aitken said.
“It’s still an after effect of Covid.”
Cr Aitken said Melbourne live sites, including at Federation Square, had been locked in ahead of time because they operated regardless of which teams made it to the grand final.
“I would’ve liked the council to have been more brave and adventurous in supporting a live site in Geelong,” he said.
Council’s director of city planning and economy Gareth Smith said council was instead encouraging community members to enjoy the game with their family and friends at local venues.
“Our local hospitality venues have had a difficult two years due to COVID-19 restrictions and are hoping for a bumper day of trading on Saturday, so we don’t want to entice footy fans away from local venues,” he said.
A Geelong Football Club spokeswoman said: “We are supportive of the Council’s position to encourage fans to support local businesses on Saturday by attending one of the many venues hosting Grand Final events.”
“After a fantastic turnout at the Club’s Grand Final open training session on Monday, Cats fans also have opportunity to attend the official Grand Final Parade on Friday as well as our Supporter’s Day on Sunday at St Mary’s Oval.”
Cr Aitken said council was “absolutely committed” to hosting a grand final parade in the city if Geelong win.
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Originally published as Geelong grand final live site will not operate for 2022 AFL decider
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