The AFL venues policy is back in the spotlight as the Western Bulldogs prepare to host another home final at the MCG, this time against Collingwood.
Luke Beveridge’s Bulldogs upset Melbourne on Saturday to secure eighth spot on the ladder over the Pies, who were condemned to ninth with that result coming after their own loss to Brisbane on Friday night.
But Collingwood will still have a leg up in next weekend’s wildcard clash with the Dogs thanks to the choice of venue — and it looms as a bad omen for the Bulldogs.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
The Dogs hosted Hawthorn in an elimination final at the MCG two years ago and lost by 37 points in front of a staggering pro-Hawks crowd of 97,828.
They had previously also lost an elimination final at the MCG when forced to host Adelaide there in 2015, but the following year the Bulldogs famously defeated Hawthorn in an MCG semi-final (as the away team) and Sydney in the grand final.
They will now have to contend with a monster Magpies crowd on Friday or Saturday to get into the finals proper, sparking plenty of debate about the stadium decision.
“Some people don’t care about this and other people like to roll their eyes. It’s always been something that’s irritated me,” former Adelaide and Geelong forward Josh Jenkins said on SEN.
“I just can’t cop that next weekend … that the Bulldogs will be forced to play at the MCG against Collingwood in front of 80,000 — (with up to) 70,000 Collingwood fans.
“I cannot stand the fact that teams are forced to play a home final at someone else’s home ground. I think it’s one of the most inequitable situations that happens in the game.
“It’s something that often gets linked to Geelong but we’ve talked about St Kilda, the Bulldogs, North Melbourne as well. I think it’s a downright disgrace.”
Jenkins said it was “no shame” to pack out the Dogs’ regular home ground Marvel Stadium with 55,000-plus fans.
He also hit back at the prospect of a better financial result out of the MCG game, noting the AFL owns Marvel Stadium.
“What is the point of earning a home final if you turn up in the finals as the higher seed and play at the other mob’s home ground in front of the other mob’s home fans?
“There’ll be more black and white than there will be red, blue and white.”
Prominent player agent and commentator Liam Pickering replied: “It’s a good point. There’ll probably be 20,000 more people (than at Marvel). We’re catering for Collingwood fans, right? The Bulldogs fans will be there anyway.”
And in this instance he said “it’s not a Collingwood thing”.
“So Collingwood fans, no point getting up in arms. It’s not about Collingwood,” Jenkins added.
“It’s about the Dogs, who have earned the right to play a home final and won’t get to.”
In contrast Jenkins said he understands the AFL’s decision to send Geelong to the MCG over true home finals at GHMBA Stadium.
“I can see that — 35,000 versus 80,000. But this place (Marvel) can hold close to 60,000 people,” he said.
“Ask Carlton fans what this place is like when it’s full. It’s been a magnificent atmosphere. They’ve had this place rocking. There’s no issue from that perspective.”
The Cats enter their MCG finals with much more experience at the ground than the Dogs.
The Bulldogs have played at the MCG just once this year after only two home-and-away fixtures there in each of the past four seasons, as well as that home final against Hawthorn in 2024.
Meanwhile, the AFL is expected to confirm the dates and times for the wildcard finals on Sunday evening.
The league had planned for a Friday night game at the MCG under the assumption Adelaide would host the other wildcard game on the Saturday.
But Melbourne’s loss to the Bulldogs dropped the Dees into the wildcard round instead.
“Now that it’s two MCG games, well, (the AFL is) spoilt for choice,” Xander McGuire said on Channel 7.
The Bulldogs are hoping to be scheduled for Saturday night to give forward Aaron Naughton an extra day to recover from his ankle injury.
“They’re optimistic he’ll be available to play,” McGuire said.
