The AFL has rejected Geelong’s request to move their Round 19 clash against Richmond from the MCG to GMHBA Stadium, reports SEN’s Sam Edmund.
The Cats are scheduled to host the Tigers at the MCG on Sunday which is almost certain to be played without a crowd due to Victoria’s latest COVID outbreak.
Edmund understands that a “commercial consideration” around signage was a sticking point as well as a contractual obligation for the AFL to play a certain number of matches at the MCG.
“The Cats put the request in. They’re frustrated to say the least,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“They’re told they can’t play the game there because there’s a commercial consideration around signage. The Cats don’t own all of the signage at the ‘G, so there will be signage issues and sponsorship issues at the MCG.
“And the contract stipulates a certain number of games need to be held at the MCG as well, so there would need to be a make-up game.
“As we’ve seen, they’ve got no hesitation in taking games from other venues.
“The question has to be asked: What happens come finals time, and we hope this isn’t the case, but if there are no crowds allowed in and the Cats finish top two or they get a home final – do they get a home final?”
Melbourne great Garry Lyon said in response: “No-brainer.”
Richmond’s last game at GMHBA Stadium was a loss to Geelong in Round 21 of the 2017 season - the year they broke their 37-year premiership drought.
The Cats beat the Tigers in this year’s first Grand Final rematch by 63 points in Round 8.