Geelong coach Chris Scott has again pushed for his club to play all 11 of their home games at their home ground, GMHBA Stadium.
His comments come after the Cats’ 51-point win over Hawthorn on Saturday night, strengthening their hold on fifth spot, after a dismal seven-week patch of football that saw them record one win and six losses.
Now, with Geelong looking hopeful to lock in a finals berth, Scott has again addressed the issue of the Cats playing home finals.
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The Cats have only ever played one final at their actual home ground, GMHBA Stadium, back in 2013 against Fremantle.
They lost that qualifying final by 15 points and since then, have never been allowed by the AFL to play another September match at home.
Chris Scott, Senior Coach of the Cats addresses his players during their round 17 clash with Hawthorn. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Now, Scott is pushing his case again.
This time, he wants Geelong to play all of their home games, plus finals, if they qualify, at GMHBA Stadium.
“I’ve spoken about this a lot. I think every team should play their 11 homes games where they choose,” Scott said after Geelong’s win on Saturday.
“If they choose to farm them to Alice Springs, or Darwin, that’s fine. But you shouldn’t be forced to play home games away from your home venue.”
Chris Scott wants to see Geelong play all 11 home games at GMHBA Stadium. via Getty Images
Geelong playing a final at GMHBA Stadium would be no different to Sydney playing host to a final at their ground, the SCG.
That will likely happen come September, with the Swans sitting two games clear on top of the ladder.
“I promised them I wouldn’t get drawn into these things, but I’m on record for saying that,” Scott said.
“That’s one of the first things you’d do if you were starting a competition from scratch (let teams play all home games at their home ground).”
Geelong has played just one final at their home ground, back in 2013 against Fremantle. Getty
“That’s the Geelong choice to play all 11 home games down at Geelong.”
Geelong great Jimmy Bartel, who played in the Cats’ one and only final at Kardinia Park back in 2013, understands why Scott is pushing so hard for his club’s cause.
“Surprise, surprise, a club backing their own narrative,” Bartel said on Nine’s Footy Furnace on Sunday night.
“I think with Victorian clubs they have to commit to playing a home game at Marvel Stadium.”
Gary Rohan celebrated game 200 with a win over Hawthorn. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Bartel also knows that Scott isn’t asking for all of their games at home to take away from the league.
He said the Cats would still likely be keen to play big Melbourne-based clubs, like Collingwood or Carlton, at the MCG, to allow more fans the chance to attend.
“They still might want to play the likes of Collingwood and get a big crowd at the MCG,” he said.
GMHBA Stadium’s capacity is now at 40,000, with their stage five renovations finally completed at the start of this season.