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“The die is cast”: Cats diplomatic about home ground snub

Geelong are resigned to playing their AFL qualifying final against Richmond at the MCG.

Aug 28, 2017, updated Aug 28, 2017
The fitness of injured skipper Joel Selwood is the Cats' biggest headache, but the venue of their first final has also become a talking point. Photo: Julian Smith / AAP

The fitness of injured skipper Joel Selwood is the Cats' biggest headache, but the venue of their first final has also become a talking point. Photo: Julian Smith / AAP

But Cats president Colin Carter wants a broader discussion about finals scheduling, saying more certainty is needed.

Richmond’s 41-point win over St Kilda yesterday at the MCG meant they finished third and will play the Cats in the opening week of the finals.

By rights, Geelong’s massive 44-point win over GWS on Saturday night gave them the right to play the game at Simonds Stadium because they finished second and are the home team.

But it will be the only Victorian game in week one of the finals.

That, and the much smaller crowd capacity at Simonds Stadium, means the AFL will play the game at the MCG.

Publicly, the Cats are being diplomatic over the issue.

“It’s a subject for a discussion when we’re not under the pressure of having to actually make the decision,” Carter told 3AW.

“And yes, clarity at the start of the year is important.”

When Carter spoke before the Richmond game, there was a chance Geelong could play GWS in the qualifying final.

When asked if that fixture might be played at Simonds Stadium, Carter said the AFL would already have made their decision.

“The die is cast, we just don’t about it yet,” he said.

The Cats have made it clear for several weeks that they want a home final played at their redeveloped ground.

Carter said it is ambiguous in some cases where finals will be played, but doubts the Cats would lobby the AFL for the Richmond game to be played at Simonds Stadium.

“I don’t think you’re going to find us jumping up and down – it’s in the AFL’s hands at the moment and we accept that.

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“We don’t mind playing on the MCG either.”

Cats coach Chris Scott said on Saturday night that he did not plan on losing any sleep over a matter he has no control over – although everyone at Geelong would much rather play their first final on their home deck, regardless of the opposition.

“There’s been a bit of commentary around where teams play their home games and we have driven that to some extent, but I think this argument is completely different,” said Scott.

“I think it’s a good debate for the industry to have.

“From our position, we’re not going to contribute to that debate.

“We respect that the AFL decides where those games are played and I’m sure they will justify their decision in detail.”

The Cats blew away the Giants after halftime on Saturday night, kicking nine of the last 12 goals of the match to win 15.13 (103) to 8.11 (59).

Utility James Parsons went off early with a foot injury and did not return.

The main talking point of the next fortnight will be the fitness of skipper Joel Selwood, who is in a race against time after ankle surgery.

-AAP 

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