“No chance”: Why the Cats should not play a home final… even if they earn it

Does Geelong deserve to play a final at GMHBA Stadium if it is earned through ladder position?

That was the question on SEN host Cam Luke’s mind, and he quizzed former Swan and Saint Dan Hannebery for his thoughts.

As the Cats have started 7-0 and sit atop the ladder, they look most likely of any side so far to finish either top four or top six and secure at least one home final as a high qualifier.

While Preliminary Finals in Victoria must be played at the MCG, the Cats could theoretically push to host a Qualifying, Elimination or Semi-Final at the venue if they finish high enough.

Their argument will be boosted by the new redevelopment of the ground as the stadium now holds 40,000 - more than the Gabba which holds 37,000.

The Cats hosted a final in 2013 at the venue against Fremantle, but since then, all of their home games in September have come at the MCG.

Luke believes that the Cats will never get a home final if they don’t this year, while Hannebery doesn’t want to see any September action at the venue.

The duo discussed the topic on SEN’s Crunch Time.

Luke: “At 7-0, now the conversation will go to, 'Do Geelong deserve a home final?'.

“This is where we're going to be (the Cats qualifying well in finals), and they have got all those games down there still to come.

“They're playing great football. They're beating these teams that are similarly placed on the ladder. They're perfectly poised to have a crack at this and there's no doubt the conversation will now rear its head.

“Should they at least get one home final if they earn it?”

Hannebery: “No chance.

“There's something about the dimensions of that ground that make it even more unjust.

“You play the SCG, you play at Optus Stadium … the dimensions are pretty similar, albeit maybe a little different.

“But it (GMHBA Stadium) is like a big, long rectangle.

“I can't stand watching games there and I certainly couldn't stand playing games there.”

Luke: “But they've just got this new stadium…”

Hannebery: “Make it wider, it's like a rectangle, it's ridiculous.

“You saw people complaining about the Norwood footy ground, Jack Steele might have complained up there … to be honest, it reminds me of that.

“Albeit they probably do deserve it, but I think from a spectacle … give me Geelong v Carlton at the MCG in front of 90,000 every day of the week.”

Luke: “If they earn it this year but don’t get it, I don’t think they’ll ever get it.

“The ground’s been redeveloped, the crowd can’t be argued anymore.

“They (the AFL) have run out of ways to argue that you cannot play a home final there.”

Geelong’s Round 1 clash against St Kilda brought in 39,352 people as the new Joel Selwood Stand was unveiled.

The Cats are the only Victorian club with their own home ground, with the other 10 sharing the MCG and Marvel Stadium.