Plenty to analyse in Geelong expansion debate after A-League hits Simonds Stadium

MELBOURNE Victory’s win over the Newcastle Jets at Simonds Stadium gave the A-League plenty to think about. But there was also some very relevant data to be taken from the night.

Victory fans in full voice at Simonds Stadium.

THE cynics were right.

Monday night’s 14,081 crowd figure for Melbourne Victory’s game at Simonds Stadium should not be used to illustrate the level of support in Geelong for a permanent A-League team.

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But within that crowd is very relevant data that can be used.

Did most people that attended the game actually live in the Geelong area?

James Troisi takes a corner kick during Victory’s A-League clash against Newcastle at Simonds Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

And, if so, would those people support a Geelong A-League team?

You’d like to think Football Federation Australia had people asking those sorts of questions at the ground given that this town is very much in the expansion conversation.

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Melbourne Victory battled Newcastle Jets at Simonds Stadium in Geelong.

But just in case it didn’t, the Herald Sun did a lap around Simonds Stadium before kickoff to poll the fans.

Of the 107 questioned, only 38 hailed from Geelong or the Surf Coast, the other 69 were from Melbourne or were on summer holidays.

Of those 38 who live in the region, 25 said a Geelong club would become their No.1 A-League team, the other 13 said they wouldn’t ditch Victory or City.

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Two locals gave interesting insights.

Fans fill Simonds Stadium ahead of the A-League clash. Picture: AAP

Derryn Riddle, 35, said he had “no doubt” a club would be well supported.

“I’m a Victory fan, but if Geelong could get a team I’d follow them,” Riddle said.

“There’s a big football community down here. It’d be a boost for the town.”

But Bobby Hayes, a 53-year member of the Geelong Soccer Club, said the recent local closures of Ford and Alcoa highlighted the financial risk.

“Where’s the sponsorship? That’s the biggest worry I’ve got,” Hayes said.

“Junior soccer is booming, we know the people are there, but how are we going to pay for it?”

There was relevant research inside the ground too, with Simonds being an AFL oval.

At half time we asked a fan at random in each of the Players Stand - the end Victory attacked in the first half - the Hickey Stand - the stand TV cameras faced - and the Gary Ablett Terrace what they thought of their view.

Ben was sitting in the corner of the Players Stand, about 20 rows from the front.

Victory fans in full voice at Simonds Stadium.

“It’s a good view,” Ben said.

“It’s a good angle up, so you can see all the way to the other end. We had a good view for both of the goals.

“This side is full too so it’s a good atmosphere.”

Kayla, from Melbourne, was sitting on halfway in the bottom deck of the Hickey Stand and gave a surprisingly positive appraisal.

“Where we sit at AAMI Park is too far away, I like being close,” Kayla said.

“This is better. It’s great they’ve brought the pitch right up close.”

There were mixed reviews of the atmosphere - and views - at Simonds Stadium. Picture: Getty Images

But Eddie, sitting in the Gary Ablett Terrace, was not satisfied.

“It’s not a good ground,” Eddie - Bishop, not McGuire - said.

“It’s the same as all AFL grounds. Too far away and the atmosphere gets taken away.”

Plenty of views for FFA to consider.

Originally published as Plenty to analyse in Geelong expansion debate after A-League hits Simonds Stadium