Why Russell would want GWS to host a home Preliminary Final at the SCG

SEN host Dwayne Russell thinks that all AFL Preliminary Finals in New South Wales should be hosted at the SCG.

Russell’s call comes ahead of Saturday’s Sydney v GWS Qualifying Final at the SCG. If the Swans win, they’ll host a Preliminary Final at the same venue, while if the Giants win, they’ll host a Preliminary Final at ENGIE Stadium.

The SEN host simply doesn’t believe that ENGIE Stadium is ‘Prelim Final worthy’ and he thinks that NSW should follow Victoria’s lead where all Preliminary Finals in the state are hosted at the MCG, even if the higher-ranked team’s usual home ground is Marvel Stadium or GMHBA Stadium in Geelong’s case.

“I don't think Giants Stadium is Prelim Final worthy as a venue,” Russell said on SEN Afternoons.

“I think our game is bigger than a Prelim at that venue. It’s a boutique secondary venue (of a city).

“I'm happy for the Giants to win the flag, but I don't want a Prelim there. I'd like the prelim to be at the SCG. The SCG is prelim worthy.

“It's like North taking a Prelim final to Bellerive or the Bulldogs taking it to Ballarat.”

As a result, Russell is barracking for the Swans in Saturday’s final so that there’s a Preliminary Final at the venue that he deems as better in the Harbour City.

He also pointed to the size of both stadiums to prove his point as ENGIE Stadium holds 23,500 spectators compared to the SCG’s 48,000.

“I think if there's a Prelim Final in Sydney, it has to be at the SCG,” Russell said.

“I’m happy for the Giants to win the flag, but I think a prelim in New South Wales has to be at the SCG.

“The Giants’ venue holds 25,000 - it is a boutique stadium - we need a 40,000-seat stadium to host a final in my mind.

“So, I'll be hoping the Sydney Swans get a Prelim at the SCG by winning this weekend.”

GWS has hosted three finals in club history at ENGIE Stadium. The lone Prelim of that bunch came in 2016 when they went down to the Western Bulldogs.