Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin prepares to play finals away from home with MCG games unlikely

Winning the AFL minor premiership is supposed to have rewards in the finals, but the only real reward in 2021 is a double chance.

The MCG could miss out on all finals. Picture: Michael Klein

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin isn’t fazed “one iota” by the potential for some teams to get home finals and the Demons missing out despite his team being on the verge of winning its first minor premiership since 1964.

Victory over Geelong on Saturday would be enough for Melbourne to secure top spot, and the normal benefit would be a final at the MCG and potentially home ground advantage throughout the finals.

But Goodwin revealed the “hunt for crowds” could put a nail in any MCG finals hopes, with Melbourne not slated to come out of Covid lockdown until September 2.

Port Adelaide and Brisbane are looking at home finals despite finishing lower on the ladder than Melbourne.

The Demons hierarchy are yet to settle on a preferred home away from home in the AFL finals and, should they get a choice, won’t until their finishing position is confirmed.

“The first thing for us as a footy club is to focus on finishing as high as we can, then we will get the choice on a variety of things. We have been told the higher you finish, the more choice you’ll have as a home team,” Goodwin said on Wednesday.

“Whether it’s at home or somewhere else in Australia, we’re not sure.

“We’re pretty clear there is a hunt for crowds around Australia. That choice has been taken away, in terms of playing in front of crowds.

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin wants his side to continue building momentum. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“If at any stage in the finals series there comes a chance, when the MCG is available and we can play in front of fans … we’ll take that opportunity.

“We’ll come up with what’s best for us a footy club. They’re things we will discuss after this weekend with the hierarchy of the club.”

The AFL is in talks with states outside Victoria, including Tasmania, about hosting finals, including the grand final.

But a decision on the decider will be left until the last minute as the AFL holds out hopes of getting a minimum 50,000 people in to the MCG to play the grand final there.

The AFL could even delay the game by a week to accommodate it.

Goodwin confirmed senior stars Steven May, Jack Viney and Tom McDonald would return this weekend and that Melbourne “won’t be hiding anything” in the high-stakes finals dress rehearsal against the Cats.

He acknowledged the prospect of a rematch with the Cats at some point in finals but said this week would provide his team a “full audit” on where they sit against a premiership rival.

“After that we know we are going to be stepping straight into finals. We want to continue building momentum,” Goodwin said.

“We won’t be resting players unless they’re sore.

“Building a winning culture and mindset means a lot to me. If that means we end up winning the minor premiership, then it’s an outstanding achievement.

“We’ve got bigger things we want to achieve.”

Originally published as Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin prepares to play finals away from home with MCG games unlikely