Does home ground advantage in the AFL matter anymore? ....... (Herald-Sun)

[one-eyed]

Hawthorn, Geelong hold strongest home ground advantage in the AFL

JON RALPH
Herald Sun
March 6, 2016

... Weren’t those teams good enough that it didn’t matter where they played?

Hawthorn was so good last year it played all four weeks of the finals and beat a Fremantle side at Subiaco that had lost just two of the past 20 times at home against non-WA teams.

But even four games at Aurora a year helps boost percentage or tip the balance of what might have been 50-50 games against premiership rivals.

Ask Richmond, who missed the 2015 top four by a single game and the 2013 double chance by only two premiership points.

This competition is based around fine margins and one percenters and the splitting of hairs — which is why the Tigers are still awaiting that finals breakthrough.


Home ground advantage in past five AFL seasons.

ADELAIDE: Adelaide Oval, 14-9

BRISBANE LIONS: Gabba, 22-34

CARLTON: Etihad Stadium, 19-24

COLLINGWOOD: MCG, 51-26

ESSENDON: Etihad Stadium, 26-22

FREMANTLE: Subiaco Oval, 47-17

GEELONG: Simonds Stadium, 32-5

GOLD COAST: Metricon Arena, 18-1-33

GWS GIANTS, StarTrack Oval, 11-18

HAWTHORN: Aurora Stadium, 19-1

MELBOURNE: MCG, 20-1-51

NORTH MELBOURNE: Blundstone Arena, 7-2

PORT ADELAIDE: Adelaide Oval, 18-8

RICHMOND: MCG, 34-1-30

ST KILDA: Etihad Stadium, 25-1-32

SYDNEY: SCG, 31-1-10

WEST COAST: Subiaco Oval, 44-20

WESTERN BULLDOGS: Etihad Stadium 30-37

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/more-news/hawthorn-geelong-hold-strongest-home-ground-advantage-in-the-afl/news-story/3550e52553cfead1b56b31df04829a19#load-story-comments

[Stalin]

Play at punt road

[tony_montana]

The 5th line of the article sums up why the afl draw in its current format is just a load of poo.

[1980 I Was There]

Home ground advantage means very little these days.
Take hawthorn and geelong both very strong teams at the moment (as stated).
Back in 2003, geelong lost 5 at home in one season while hawthorn lost 8 home games in 2004.

It isn't reflective of how teams are travelling over a short period of time.

[Stalin]

Playing in Geelong

Is a significant  advantage for them

[WilliamPowell]

Playing in Geelong

Is a significant  advantage for them

Yep 

Massive advantage

[YellowandBlackBlood]

Funny. I was just talking to a mate who has come from OS about this on Saturday! Almost word for word....