Rugby clash puts Subi Oval finals in spin again

[The InnFORCEr]

Craig O'Donoghue,
Melbourne,
The West Australian
August 6, 2013, 8:31 am

Fremantle's move into the top four is set to cause finals fixturing woes for the AFL for the second year in a row because Patersons Stadium is booked for a rugby union match in the second week of September.

Australia are scheduled to play Argentina at Patersons Stadium on Saturday, September 14, so if Fremantle remain in the top four the league must fixture the first two weeks of finals around that game.

It is the second year in a row that rugby has impacted upon AFL finals.

Last year the Wallabies played at Patersons Stadium in the first week of September, meaning West Coast had to play North Melbourne on the Sunday.

The fixturing schedule will become a bigger issue if Collingwood finish in the same section of the draw as the Dockers, making them prospective semifinal opponents.

The Magpies will play their final home-and-away game on Sunday, September 1. As the only finalist playing that day, Collingwood are anticipating playing their first final the following Sunday.

But if that happened, the Magpies would have only five days to recover if they had to play Fremantle at Patersons Stadium the next Friday.

AFL spokesman Patrick Keane said the league had raised the issue when the Test match was scheduled and will have to find a way to organise the finals around it.

"We were informed of the agreement when it was reached and we did raise our concerns at the time," he said. "From our point of view, it's not ideal for the structure of our finals but we have said we will endeavour to fixture around it."

The Dockers are almost certain to remain in the top four because they play Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne, Port Adelaide and St Kilda in the last month. The Dockers could win in the first week of the finals and earn a week's rest, but the league must plan its schedule in advance to give teams the appropriate break if required.

The AFL already faces a balancing act with their schedule because Sydney are also in the top four and the Swans share ANZ Stadium with the NRL during the finals.

The AFL asked the State Government to avoid booking Patersons Stadium on potential finals dates after last year's clash.

The WAFC said the AFL still had the option of playing a semifinal at the ground on Sunday, September 15. The league hasn't scheduled a Sunday semifinal since 1995.

"The fixture has been scheduled as part of an agreement with the West Australian State Government for Patersons Stadium to host international sporting events," the WAFC said in a statement.
"From our point of view, it's not ideal for the structure of our finals …""AFL spokesman *Patrick Keane *

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...in-spin-again/

[jargan83]

Fuck off AFL

Just like how the AFL fixture forced the change of time of the Bulldogs last game of the season as they had ANZ stadium booked
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[GAFFA]

[jono]

Too f**king bad.
The AFL can eat a bag of dicks!
Booked is booked.
As we've said before the afl is more than welcome to pay to upgrade NIB to international standard
Posted via Mobile Device

[The InnFORCEr]

The Magpies will play their final home-and-away game on Sunday, September 1. As the only finalist playing that day, Collingwood are anticipating playing their first final the following Sunday.

But if that happened, the Magpies would have only five days to recover if they had to play Fremantle at Patersons Stadium the next Friday.


http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...in-spin-again/

There is no way that Eddie, I mean the AFL, would let this happen

[PeterM]

I would have an issue with this if I was going to watch either sporting event but I wouldn't even go to Subiaco Oval to watch the grass grow.

We need to get grow the Force into Australia's premier super rugby team and have a venue to match then we won't have these problems

[beige]

Pulver should issue a press release that just says, "Eat a d*ck."

[shasta]

Booked is booked.
As we've said before the afl is more than welcome to pay to upgrade NIB to international standars

They are also quite welcome to cough up 2 booking fees for the Saturday and Sunday on the off chance. The ARU could simply take the Friday night. Everyone's a winner. Well almost everyone.
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[chibi]

I really don't think they should be playing this test at Subiaco anyway.

[jono]

I really don't think they should be playing this test at Subiaco anyway.

Unfortunately we don't have a choice. NIB is too small
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[chibi]

Well the other option is the WACA; I'll be surprised if this game gets upwards of 24,000. I think the only problem with the WACA is the members section.

Hell, I'd love to see a packed nib Stadium for this game. Last year they held this test at the Gold Coast, so they've done the small ground thing before.

[SNOB]

Any where is better than Subi. Should be played to a packed NIB. Would be fantastic!
No more Spewbi for me. Will just have to watch it on the box.

[sittingbison]

Id go to nib, not a hope in hell of ever getting me to Subi again, even for an All Blacks game. Lions was the last straw.

[RugbyRef]

Don't underestimate the support of the Argentinians.

If anyone has been to a rugby game where they have played, you will know that their fans are as passionate about their team, and as loud in support & song as they come!

It's a fantastic experience, don't miss it.

(Though I agree it would be much better atmosphere at NIB!)

[jargan83]

What crowd did the Wallabies vs Argies attract on the Gold Coast last year?

Can't see the crowd for this one being too large but the ARU is probably looking after its corporates by having the game at Subi