One-Eyed Richmond Forum

Football => Richmond Rant => Topic started by: one-eyed on August 13, 2013, 04:55:43 AM

Title: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: one-eyed on August 13, 2013, 04:55:43 AM
Thousands of AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets as Victorians clubs surge towards September

    Peter Rolfe
    Herald Sun
    August 13, 2013


THOUSANDS of AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets as Victoria's powerhouse clubs surge towards September.

The strong performance of Victoria's most popular clubs, and an unprecedented growth in club memberships, mean fans will be scrambling for seats next month.

With as many as seven Victorian teams hoping to take part in the finals, Melbourne is poised for a finals series to remember.

Crowd favourites Collingwood, Richmond, Hawthorn and Geelong are almost certainly assured a finals berth.

Essendon can still make the top four if it escapes the wrath of the AFL Commission, which may cut its premiership points - and finals aspirations - in the wake of the Windy Hill supplements scandal.

Carlton and North Melbourne are in the queue to fill the final spot in the top eight should the Bombers be banished.

If results go the right way, Richmond could meet Collingwood in the first week of the finals.

The clubs have a combined membership of almost 140,000, meaning tens of thousands of members could miss out on a seat, even if the game is played at the MCG.

After 12 years in the wilderness, Richmond cheer squad president Gerard Egan said Tigers fans were desperate to see their team play finals and would lead the ticket rush. "Every person who says they even have a faint interest in Richmond will be after finals tickets," he said.

"If we play Collingwood getting a ticket will be a very tough thing.

"We've got 60,000 members, 10,000 hangers-on and we will be everybody's second favourite team in September so Etihad (Stadium) won't hold us."

The finals fixture is set to go down to the wire and, depending on results, may not be finalised until round 22.

But it is already clear many of the league's most rich and powerful clubs are finals-bound while teams short of money and members languish towards the bottom of the ladder.

The MCG can hold no more than 100,000 fans for finals but many seats are designated for corporate buyers and members of the MCC.

Etihad Stadium can hold an estimated 55,000 fans and is likely to host a match between a Melbourne-based club and an interstate team, probably Port Adelaide, in the first week of the finals.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said there was a possibility of four Melbourne finals in the first round but there could equally be two interstate fixtures depending on how Sydney and Fremantle finish the season.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/thousands-of-afl-club-members-could-miss-out-on-finals-tickets-as-victorians-clubs-surge-towards-september/story-fni0fiyv-1226695921711
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 09:44:12 AM
No probs for those m'ship categories that guarantee finals tickets  ;D
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 10:17:52 AM
No probs for those m'ship categories that guarantee finals tickets  ;D

MRC right?
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: tigs2011 on August 13, 2013, 10:20:02 AM
No probs for those m'ship categories that guarantee finals tickets  ;D

MRC right?

I'm MRC. I don't get how this actually works?  :whistle
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 10:45:45 AM
No probs for those m'ship categories that guarantee finals tickets  ;D

MRC right?

I'm MRC. I don't get how this actually works?  :whistle

Yes Social Club is one such "guaranteed" category

We were told on Saturday at the Inner Sanctum pre-match that how it works is by membership ticket bar-code

RFC advises AFL & ticket agencies of all Membership bar-codes and these get activated by the ticket agencies allowing folks to purchase tickets.

It was my understanding from what we were told that bar-codes of the guaranteed categories will take priority over those that are not guaranteed eg Standard 11 or 17 game memberships in the event of us playing a final against say C'wood

We were also told that the Club will be communicating all of this over the next couple of weeks. Went as fas as to say that they are probably going to "over communicate" so they leave nothing to chance



Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 11:18:06 AM
I guess I won't be missing then  :whistle haha to all who shot me down when I purchased MRC as a finals guarantee
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: tigs2011 on August 13, 2013, 11:26:47 AM
I guess I won't be missing then  :whistle haha to all who shot me down when I purchased MRC as a finals guarantee
Guy at work laughed at me. He barracks for Nort  :lol
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 11:32:40 AM
I guess I won't be missing then  :whistle haha to all who shot me down when I purchased MRC as a finals guarantee
Guy at work laughed at me. He barracks for Nort  :lol

 :rollin
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 11:49:08 AM
Have to say though (and I am in a guarateed category) I still have concerns as to how it is going to be managed by the ticketing agencies if we do have to play C'wood in week 1.

If they somehow stuff up and someone who's guaranteed a ticket misses out then what happens then?

Will be interesting.  ;D
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: tigs2011 on August 13, 2013, 12:37:01 PM
Have to say though (and I am in a guarateed category) I still have concerns as to how it is going to be managed by the ticketing agencies if we do have to play C'wood in week 1.

If they somehow stuff up and someone who's guaranteed a ticket misses out then what happens then?

Will be interesting.  ;D

Yeah I don't get how the guaranteed poo actually works. Because it doesn't sound like they can book earlier. Also if I have MRC and am guaranteed can I use another membership to get a ticket next to mine who doesn't have MRC?
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: dwaino on August 13, 2013, 12:38:38 PM
I'll get one even if I have to stab someone.
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 12:50:45 PM
I think MRC members can buy how many tickets they like with 1 membership
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: tigs2011 on August 13, 2013, 12:57:57 PM
I think MRC members can buy how many tickets they like with 1 membership
:clapping Doubt it if it's Collingwood v Richmond.  :shh
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Yeahright on August 13, 2013, 01:06:20 PM
Is there any chance of playing on the Sunday?
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Eat_em_Alive on August 13, 2013, 01:11:23 PM
I'll get one even if I have to stab someone.

Dwaino at the ticketmaster outlet after they put up a sold out sign:  :lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdcTXAGD_0k&feature=youtube_gdata_player


Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 01:24:51 PM
Yeah I don't get how the guaranteed poo actually works. Because it doesn't sound like they can book earlier. Also if I have MRC and am guaranteed can I use another membership to get a ticket next to mine who doesn't have MRC?

there is a "pre-sale" time on the Monday from 9am to 1pm for Club members. tickets to the General Public go on sale at 2pm

If we are playing anyone else but C'wood then there isn't an issue with buying a ticket next to you for someone else.

See: http://oneeyed-richmond.com/forum/index.php?topic=18347.0

But there could be an issue if we are playing C'wood because guaranteed members need to have access to tickets first, so going by what we were told on Saturday in that scenario the only barcodes that will be accepted will be those that are
guaranteed

Think the club really needs to address this so people understand how it works

There is an ticketing update on the RFC site that I'll post shortly

Is there any chance of playing on the Sunday?

Possible, games haven't been sceduled yet, wont be until after the final round 23 game

I think MRC members can buy how many tickets they like with 1 membership

Incorrect - maximum 8 tickets per trasaction refer the link above and below
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 01:31:23 PM
Latest ticketing Info from the RFC web-site

Finals FAQ

1. When will I know who Richmond is playing in the finals?

Richmond will not have confirmation of game details for Week 1 of the AFL Finals Series until after the final round (Round 23) of the AFL home-and-away season.

2. Can I buy tickets to the finals through the Richmond Football Club?

Unfortunately not. A ticketing agent appointed by the venue will manage all 2013 finals ticketing. For games in Melbourne, the nominated agent will be Ticketmaster for any matches played at Etihad Stadium, or Ticketek for any matches played at the MCG.  Members who contact the Club to purchase tickets will be instructed to contact the relevant ticketing agency.

3. I am a Richmond Football Club member, how do I buy tickets to finals?

Finals Tickets can be purchased through the relevant ticketing agency ONLY.

You will be entitled to purchase a ticket to the finals if you are a current Richmond Football Club access member with no outstanding payments owing on your membership.

An access member is classed as any member who has a membership barcode on the back of their 2013 membership card.

You will be required to have your 12 digit membership barcode with you to purchase your finals ticket. If you do not have your 2013 membership card, please contact the Richmond Football Club Member and Support Services on 1300 742 466 before Monday, September 2.

Please note:

If you are an: Access Member

You will be eligible to purchase one (1) ticket only per barcode.

If you are a: Jack’s Club, Legend’s Club, Richmond Executive or Inner Sanctum Member

You will be eligible to purchase two (2) tickets only per barcode
.

Please note:

*There will be a maximum of eight ( 8  ) tickets per transaction (must have 8 individual barcodes.)

*Membership cards and concession ID will be required at point of purchase and collection (if applicable.)

*Guest pass eligibility will be known following Round 23 and will be determined by the team Richmond will play in the first final and the venue the game will be played at.

* Anyone possessing a non-access Junior Membership including: Cotchy’s Cubs and Coaches Crew are not eligible to purchase tickets to finals.

We encourage all junior non access members to sign up to the current 2013/2014 membership promotion before 5pm on Tuesday, August 27, 2013. For just $1, this membership promotion will provide you with the eligibility to purchase a ticket to the 2013 Finals series within the pre-sale period.

Further details:

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/season/finals-hub/finals-faq

ED: Bits in YELLOW above are the most important 
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: gerkin greg on August 13, 2013, 01:40:59 PM
I'll get one even if I have to stab someone.

Dwaino at the ticketmaster outlet after they put up a sold out sign:  :lol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdcTXAGD_0k&feature=youtube_gdata_player


boat people are stealing our jobs at ticketmaster  >:(
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 01:59:33 PM
Latest ticketing Info from the RFC web-site

Finals FAQ

1. When will I know who Richmond is playing in the finals?

Richmond will not have confirmation of game details for Week 1 of the AFL Finals Series until after the final round (Round 23) of the AFL home-and-away season.

2. Can I buy tickets to the finals through the Richmond Football Club?

Unfortunately not. A ticketing agent appointed by the venue will manage all 2013 finals ticketing. For games in Melbourne, the nominated agent will be Ticketmaster for any matches played at Etihad Stadium, or Ticketek for any matches played at the MCG.  Members who contact the Club to purchase tickets will be instructed to contact the relevant ticketing agency.

3. I am a Richmond Football Club member, how do I buy tickets to finals?

Finals Tickets can be purchased through the relevant ticketing agency ONLY.

You will be entitled to purchase a ticket to the finals if you are a current Richmond Football Club access member with no outstanding payments owing on your membership.

An access member is classed as any member who has a membership barcode on the back of their 2013 membership card.

You will be required to have your 12 digit membership barcode with you to purchase your finals ticket. If you do not have your 2013 membership card, please contact the Richmond Football Club Member and Support Services on 1300 742 466 before Monday, September 2.

Please note:

If you are an: Access Member

You will be eligible to purchase one (1) ticket only per barcode.

If you are a: Jack’s Club, Legend’s Club, Richmond Executive or Inner Sanctum Member

You will be eligible to purchase two (2) tickets only per barcode
.

Please note:

*There will be a maximum of eight ( 8  ) tickets per transaction (must have 8 individual barcodes.)

*Membership cards and concession ID will be required at point of purchase and collection (if applicable.)

*Guest pass eligibility will be known following Round 23 and will be determined by the team Richmond will play in the first final and the venue the game will be played at.

* Anyone possessing a non-access Junior Membership including: Cotchy’s Cubs and Coaches Crew are not eligible to purchase tickets to finals.

We encourage all junior non access members to sign up to the current 2013/2014 membership promotion before 5pm on Tuesday, August 27, 2013. For just $1, this membership promotion will provide you with the eligibility to purchase a ticket to the 2013 Finals series within the pre-sale period.

Further details:

http://www.richmondfc.com.au/season/finals-hub/finals-faq

ED: Bits in YELLOW above are the most important 

So how much tickets per barcode if we are a MRC member?
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 02:04:19 PM
I think MRC members can buy how many tickets they like with 1 membership
:clapping Doubt it if it's Collingwood v Richmond.  :shh

Should still be able to get more than 1 per MRC barcode
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: tigs2011 on August 13, 2013, 02:16:49 PM
Thanks WP. Club definitely needs to make this clear for all the noobs  ;D
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 02:32:14 PM
So how much tickets per barcode if we are a MRC member?

1 - as per the above: "If you are an Access Member: You will be eligible to purchase one (1) ticket only per barcode."

That is what MRC & 3121 fall under, access member - it guarantees you 1 ticket per basr-code at pre-sale

Only expections are the other coteries that are listed = Jack’s Club, Legend’s Club, Richmond Executive or Inner Sanctum Member

Having re-read it struth I can but alot of tickets.  ;D

Should still be able to get more than 1 per MRC barcode

Why? One ticket per bar-code that's all MRC has ever guaranteed

if you want to buy more than 1 ticket you wait for the tickets to go on sale to the general public and you can buy with you bar-code MRC and another 7 tickets without.

But if we end up playing Collingwood there will wont be any sales to the general public because they will sell out to members first



Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 02:34:30 PM
So how much tickets per barcode if we are a MRC member?

1 - as per the above: "If you are an Access Member: You will be eligible to purchase one (1) ticket only per barcode."

That is what MRC & 3121 fall under, access member - it guarantees you 1 ticket per basr-code at pre-sale

Only expections are the other coteries that are listed = Jack’s Club, Legend’s Club, Richmond Executive or Inner Sanctum Member

Having re-read it struth I can but alot of tickets.  ;D

Should still be able to get more than 1 per MRC barcode

Why? One ticket per bar-code that's all MRC has ever guaranteed

if you want to buy more than 1 ticket you wait for the tickets to go on sale to the general public and you can buy with you bar-code MRC and another 7 tickets without.

But if we end up playing Collingwood there will wont be any sales to the general public because they will sell out to members first

I thought you can get more than 1 with mrc for regular finals. The GF was the only one where you were only guaranteed 1 ticket
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 02:41:03 PM
I thought you can get more than 1 with mrc for regular finals. The GF was the only one where you were only guaranteed 1 ticket

Re-read what I posted from the RFC web-site - here it is again:

3. I am a Richmond Football Club member, how do I buy tickets to finals?
Finals Tickets can be purchased through the relevant ticketing agency ONLY.

You will be entitled to purchase a ticket to the finals if you are a current Richmond Football Club access member with no outstanding payments owing on your membership.

An access member is classed as any member who has a membership barcode on the back of their 2013 membership card.

You will be required to have your 12 digit membership barcode with you to purchase your finals ticket. If you do not have your 2013 membership card, please contact the Richmond Football Club Member and Support Services on 1300 742 466 before Monday, September 2.

Please note:

If you are an: Access Member

You will be eligible to purchase one (1) ticket only per barcode.
If you are a: Jack’s Club, Legend’s Club, Richmond Executive or Inner Sanctum Member

You will be eligible to purchase two (2) tickets only per barcode.

Please note:

*There will be a maximum of eight ( 8  ) tickets per transaction (must have 8 individual barcodes.)

That's what the club web-site says

If you are still not sure suggerst you call the club for clarification



Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Penelope on August 13, 2013, 03:21:29 PM
Social club membership does not guarantee a finals ticket it only guarantees a grand final ticket.

According to the membership dept anyway.
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 03:35:41 PM
Social club membership does not guarantee a finals ticket it only guarantees a grand final ticket.

According to the membership dept anyway.

 :gobdrop :gobdrop :gobdrop

Really? Struth thought it guaranteed tickets to all finals the RFC participates in

Well certainly throws the tiger amongst the pigeons  ;D

Can I be so mean as to say it doesn't effect me  ;D
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 04:06:13 PM
Anyone have any idea how quick members tickets will go if we play Collingwood?
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 04:15:40 PM
Anyone have any idea how quick members tickets will go if we play Collingwood?

Honestly, I reckon it is highly unlikely there will tickets left over to go on sale to the General Public. We have 60k members and C'wood has 75k+ that total doesn't go into 60-65k does it

I think they (ticketing agencies) will need to re-structure how they sell tickets on the Monday.

Reckon they may have to do it this way

9am-1pm - Members of competing clubs with a ticket guarantee
2pm til midnight - all other access members on a first in basis

If there are any left over then they go on sale to the General public on the Tuesday

Going by what I've just read and what al posted the guaranteed ALL finals ticket categories are:

Jack’s Club
Legend’s Club
Richmond Executive
Inner Sanctum Member

Now I am not even sure about status of 3121 members now think they are guaranteed to all finals but....

Where is Mr RFC_O when you need him  ;D

Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Yeahright on August 13, 2013, 04:24:22 PM

Honestly, I reckon it is highly unlikely there will tickets left over to go on sale to the General Public. We have 60k members and C'wood has 75k+ that total doesn't go into 60-65k does it



Why 60-65k?
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Penelope on August 13, 2013, 04:25:56 PM
because thats about what is left over after all the corporate arse lickers take their cut
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Yeahright on August 13, 2013, 04:28:52 PM
because thats about what is left over after all the corporate arse lickers take their cut

Oh yeah makes sense, thanks  :thumbsup
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: WilliamPowell on August 13, 2013, 04:46:48 PM

Honestly, I reckon it is highly unlikely there will tickets left over to go on sale to the General Public. We have 60k members and C'wood has 75k+ that total doesn't go into 60-65k does it



Why 60-65k?

MCC & AFL Members are guranteed seats at all MCG finals & that equals about 40k give or take + Corporates of course

that was the whole "gist" of the orginal article that started this, members missing out on tickets
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Eat_em_Alive on August 13, 2013, 04:56:19 PM
This is from the website terms and conditions:
Though I wont be confident of anything till im holding that golden ticket in my hand  :pray :clapping

AFL Finals Series – Weeks 1 to 3

(Week 1 – Qualifying / Elimination Finals; Week 2 – Semi Finals; Week 3 – Preliminary Finals).

Richmond Football Club match-access members (including Country/Interstate 5 members, Tiger Insider and MCC Tigers) are given priority access (over non-members) to purchase a ticket to finals during the first three weeks of the finals series*.

AFL Finals matches are administered by the AFL with the core advantage to Richmond Football Club members being a priority access period for the opportunity to purchase a ticket to the game* before the general public. The priority access period is also extended to members of the other competing Club.

Neither the Club nor its members have the same rights as they receive for the Home and Away games – 2013 reserved seat members will be unable to retain their annual reserved seat for the finals series.

To be eligible for finals tickets you must join as a member prior to August 31, 2013.
Note: These arrangements are subject to change.
*subject to participation

AFL Grand Final

The sale of AFL Grand Final tickets is administered and managed by the AFL.

Tickets will be made available to Richmond Football Club members on a priority basis depending on the membership type held.

The order of allocation of Grand Final Tickets to Richmond members will be as follows:

Priority 1 (Guaranteed access) – Legends’ Club, Richmond Executive, Inner Sanctum, 3121, Premiership Circle, Maurice Rioli Club members and Grand Final Ticket Guarantee holders.
Priority 2 – All remaining match access members and Silver AFL Club Support members.

All finals information will be communicated to members in the lead up to the 2013 Finals Series and advertised nationally by the AFL.

To be eligible for a Grand Final ticket you must join as an access member prior to July 31, 2013.


http://membership.richmondfc.com.au/terms-and-conditions.html
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 04:59:54 PM
In b4 all tickets sell out in 10 mins and we are left with our members in our hands
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Yeahright on August 13, 2013, 05:19:20 PM

Honestly, I reckon it is highly unlikely there will tickets left over to go on sale to the General Public. We have 60k members and C'wood has 75k+ that total doesn't go into 60-65k does it



Why 60-65k?

MCC & AFL Members are guranteed seats at all MCG finals & that equals about 40k give or take + Corporates of course

that was the whole "gist" of the orginal article that started this, members missing out on tickets

Yeah I forgot about the MCC & AFL thats all hah
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Phil Mrakov on August 13, 2013, 06:00:10 PM
Highly unlikely that we'll play the pies now anyway and if we do, you want tickets you log in between 9-12 simple.
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Smokey on August 13, 2013, 09:15:23 PM
In b4 all tickets sell out in 10 mins and we are left with our members in our hands

 :lol
Title: Hawks should not cop the short straw in the Finals (Age)
Post by: one-eyed on August 20, 2013, 04:18:59 PM
Rohan Connolly discussing who should/shouldn't get the Etihad final if there's too many Melbourne-based finals.


Hawks should not cop the short straw

   Rohan Connolly
     The Age
    August 20, 2013


Hawthorn copped what could have been a significant disadvantage in its grand final preparation last year with good grace. The Hawks won't be so polite if they cop the short end of the straw again this September. And nor should they.

While there's still two rounds to go and plenty of different finals permutations on the table, one of the more likely is that in week one of the finals series Melbourne will host all four matches.

That means Etihad Stadium will need to be used for one of them. And it's entirely possible the Hawks, despite finishing on top of the ladder, will be forced to play their first final not at their MCG home but under the roof at Docklands.

If the ladder remains unchanged, that's probably what will happen, with Hawthorn drawn to play Fremantle likely to attract fewer fans than Sydney and Port Adelaide, who would be drawn to play Geelong and Richmond respectively. The AFL won't be discussing finals fixturing until there's a clearer indication of just who the match-ups will be.

But sources have already indicated that the criteria of potential crowd numbers will take precedence over ladder positions. And that's just wrong.

Consider for a moment the possibility of the Hawks finishing four, perhaps five games clear of Richmond on the ladder, yet being forced to play their final not at their preferred venue, but at Etihad, while the Tigers get a game on their home ground.

It wouldn't say much for the integrity of a competition that has already taken a battering on several fronts this year via the Essendon supplements scandal. Indeed, it would throw into doubt the whole point of striving to finish on top.

Hawthorn is well aware of the potential issue. And while the Hawks right now don't want to be seen as getting ahead of themselves, given two challenging assignments against North Melbourne and Sydney to come, they've vowed they wouldn't take such an insult without registering some pretty vocal protests.

"I think any team that finishes first or second on the ladder should expect to be playing a final on their home ground," Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold said on Monday. "Imagine if you said to Fremantle: 'Yes, you finished second, but you're not going to play your final at home because we think we might get more people at the MCG'. Why do we play our guts out to finish in the highest possible position, if they're going to arbitrarily take that advantage away? That's wrong."

And wrong for Hawthorn for a second year in a row. Last year, the Hawks finished on top, a game clear of Sydney, yet because of a fixturing clash with the NRL at ANZ Stadium, and the redevelopment of the SCG, came into the grand final on the back of one less day's preparation than the Swans.

Not wanting to be seen as being distracted from the main task at hand, Hawthorn made a point of not quibbling.

But while the AFL could argue then that its hand was forced by circumstances beyond its control, it can't do so this time. In 2013, consigning a top-placed team to host a final at a venue at which it would prefer not to play would be a clear choice of putting revenue ahead of reward for effort.

Of course, a Collingwood-Essendon final (if the Dons keep their points) or a Richmond-Carlton final (if the Blues make it) are going to draw plenty more fans than would the Hawks against the Dockers. But frankly, so what?

Far more important is to enshrine the advantage that should go with winning more games than your opponents. The top four teams get a double chance. And the top two should (and almost inevitably do) get to play at home.

Hawthorn's record at Etihad Stadium is good, having won its last eight games there. But that's not the point. It's a venue at which it will have played five games this season compared to nine at the MCG. Over the past two seasons, it's seven at Etihad and 25 at the 'G, the ground at which the flag will have to be won.

In an age where fixturing is already the cause of increasingly vocal complaints about revenue taking precedence over fairness, this is a perfect opportunity for the AFL to show that when it comes to the point of the entire football season, it values the latter more.

And if it can't, for once, sacrifice a few extra dollars at the turnstiles to give Hawthorn what its efforts during the season have earned, I reckon the Hawks have every right to be screaming at the top of their lungs about another finals injustice.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/hawks-should-not-cop-the-short-straw-20130819-2s7bl.html#ixzz2cUHPjTnZ
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Dice on August 20, 2013, 04:40:02 PM
"I think any team that finishes first or second on the ladder should expect to be playing a final on their home ground," Hawthorn president Andrew Newbold

Home ground my ar$e !
It's been our home ground for 50 years and Hawthorn's for 5 minutes. Go play at Glenferrie or Waverley.
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Yeahright on August 20, 2013, 05:23:44 PM
Let's not think one minute about the fans  ::)
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: cub on August 20, 2013, 05:28:25 PM
MCC & AFL Members are guranteed seats at all MCG finals & that equals about 40k give or take + Corporates of course

that was the whole "gist" of the orginal article that started this, members missing out on tickets

hmmm
As at August 2012, there are 102,800 MCC members, which comprises 61,800 Full members and 41,000 Restricted members. 

Wouldnt say thats quite right, althought the only time I remember the MCC closing was the Ess v Mel Gf way back.
Will be very interesting to see what happens when we make it again, especially if it is against one of the other maggots.

Anyway Im in  :P
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: one-eyed on August 26, 2013, 02:40:40 PM
The AFL is investigating if the MCG could host four finals next week

    Jon Ralph
    From: Herald Sun
    August 26, 2013 12:02PM


THE AFL is investigating the possibility of the MCG hosting four finals in the first week of September to cater for huge attendances for Melbourne-based teams.

The Herald Sun understands fixturing boss Simon Lethlean met MCC representatives on Friday and raised the prospect of playing two games in one day at the venue.

The MCC has made it known it could cater for a double-header if there was a gap between games, having hosted day and night sessions of the Commonwealth Games in 2006.

If Geelong beats Brisbane at Simonds Stadium this weekend all four games will be played in Victoria, with all of Geelong, Hawthorn, Collingwood and Richmond having strong claims to MCG-based games.

AFL deputy chief executive Gillon McLachlan told the Herald Sun only last week two games could not be played at the MCG in one day.

But while the AFL says it will only consider the matter once the finals teams are set, it has continued its investigations behind the scenes given the finals permutations.

The MCC has made it known it could cater for a double-header on the Saturday of the first week of finals.

But it would need a 2-3 hour changeover to cater for catering, car parking, cleaning of the stands, ticketing, and availability of changerooms.

Players for the second game would require the changerooms up to two hours before their contest.

Finals played at 1pm and 8pm would satisfy that requirement, although broadcaster Seven would likely want a final played later in the afternoon to help maximise their ratings.

It is believed that playing a lower-drawing final in the afternoon before a blockbuster clash at night would help the MCC's logistical issues.

The AFL made it clear as recently as this morning that it was still awaiting match-ups before considering the draw.
Etihad Stadium has in recent years accepted more home-and-away games or better quality fixtures in exchange for giving up finals it is contractually obliged to receive.

Hawthorn would be filthy to play Sydney away from its home ground, while Geelong would hate to play Fremantle at Etihad Stadium given the Dockers play that ground so well.

Both of Richmond and Collingwood will host finals and with their monster membership bases it makes sense to play their games at the MCG.

http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/the-afl-is-investigating-if-the-mcg-could-host-four-finals-next-week/story-fnelctok-1226704126731
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: gerkin greg on August 26, 2013, 03:13:50 PM
 :clapping

hope we play first up so I can leave a few pressies for the Pies fans
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: Coach on August 26, 2013, 03:30:47 PM
:clapping

hope we play first up so I can leave a few pressies for the Pies fans

You bringing those undies?
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: gerkin greg on August 26, 2013, 03:32:00 PM
:clapping

hope we play first up so I can leave a few pressies for the Pies fans

You bringing those undies?

 ;D
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: tigs2011 on August 26, 2013, 03:35:28 PM
:clapping

hope we play first up so I can leave a few pressies for the Pies fans
Pies will play Sunday. Won't have to cross paths with the skidmarks of society.  :clapping
Title: Re: Thousands of Victorian AFL club members could miss out on finals tickets (H-Sun)
Post by: gerkin greg on August 26, 2013, 03:36:43 PM
they'll have to cross paths with mine