Thanks for clicking on the first instalment of our new 'Yes or No?' series in which geelongcats.com.au writers Adam McNicol and Mitch Broughton tackle the big issues facing our great club.
The boys kick off with an argument about where Geelong's home games should be played.
YES - Adam McNicol
To me, the Cats playing all their home games at Simonds Stadium is a no-brainer.
The key reason is the home ground advantage that Geelong gets from playing at the Cattery. The Cats have a 66 per cent winning record at the venue since first playing there in 1941, and in recent years they have lost just a handful of matches there. Given that brilliant record, it would surely be much easier for Geelong to make the finals each season if it played all its home games on its true home ground.
The other key factor is the financial boost the club would gain from playing 11 home games at Simonds Stadium. The Cats net around $750,000 per game at Simonds Stadium, a figure that is likely to rise beyond $1 million when the Stage 4 redevelopment, which will boost the stadium’s capacity to 36,000, is completed.
Compare that to the meagre returns from playing home matches at Etihad Stadium. And even though the returns are much better from games at the MCG, you still need huge crowds to generate the kind of money that the club makes from its games in Geelong.
The financial boost to the Geelong economy from 11 games at the Cattery each season would also be huge.
While I’m at it, I'm with Victorian Sports Minister John Eren, who believes the Cats should be able to host qualifying, elimination and semi-finals at Simonds Stadium as well.
NO - Mitch Broughton
It’s certainly hard to argue against the Cats playing all home games at their spiritual home ground. But it’s the difficult task I’ve been given so hear me out.
Whilst the Cats should always develop, enrich and celebrate their connection to the city and region from which the club takes its name, the fact remains that 50% of the club’s membership base hails from outside greater Geelong.
As a member, you are entitled to attend home games and in light of the percentages, doesn’t it make sense to have the odd home game on the doorstep of effectively half your supporter base? Not to mention more than four million people in general.
I’m not saying Melbourne-based members wouldn’t enjoy the drive down the highway – or even those from interstate who travel to the Victorian capital to watch the “greatest team of all”. But when there are eight home games at Simonds Stadium and only three at either Etihad or the MCG, the ratio isn’t too far off surely?
Many a club has found themselves staring into the abyss when growth stagnates, so it’s important to be on the front foot. Exposing the club and its impressive on-field product to the masses in the sporting capital of the world? Well, that’s definitely one way to do it.
As far as Simonds Stadium goes, we can all agree it’s the greatest ground in all the land by a nose – with the MCG a photo finish second. So why not have both?
Let’s take a look at the average crowd attendance. For games between Geelong and Hawthorn at the MCG since 2009, the average attendance is 71,268. For games between Geelong and Collingwood at the MCG since 2010, the average attendance is 74,559.
Now consider that stage four of the current redevelopment at Simonds Stadium will lift capacity to 36,000 and you’re left to wonder – where are we going to put those extra 30,000 odd people?
And if you’re still not convinced, the MCG is only a five or so minute walk from my house, with Etihad a short train ride away. Don’t you want to make my life that little bit easier?
