Traditionally the TAC Cup Preliminary Finals have been played on the Saturday as a double header, usually at Port Melbourne. Then the VFL Grand Final on Sunday.
For reasons completely unknown Football Victoria have decided to move the TAC Cup games to Kardinia Park, and what's more, they have moved it to the Sunday so it clashes with the VFL Grand Final.
Ridiculous.
shit. I was planning to go along to take a look as well. I wonder why they moved it from Port? Central location, and was a good chance for those of us who watch the VFL to get along and see the U18s.
I am absolutely stunned with this decision. It beats the ludicrous decision of playing finals in Bendigo on a Friday night in my book.
Where is the logic? Football Victoria's biggest day is VFL Grand Final day. FV keeps plugging the VFL as a competition where AFL scouts are monitoring the talent. Surely no other FV event should take the focus off the VFL Grand Final Day - for fans, for media, for scouts.
Not to mention the fact Gippsland and Dandenong are in the Prelims - the original venue of Trevor Barker actually suited these two sides travel wise.
So FV take their roving circus down to Geelong, play the games there, and give the winners 6 days to prepare for the biggest games in their life so far?
There was a rumour floating around late last week that Fox Footy was going to cover the Prelims as well, and that would be the only reason I can see for FV to use a venue like Geelong and moving the matches to the Sunday. But my guess is Fox Footy would be showing VFL, SANFL or WAFL finals on that day.
Worst.
Decision.
Ever.
Truth be known, one of the reasons is probably because the AFL clubs would have sooked about it being scheduled for Sandringham. I can hear it all "the ground is too small, there isn't enough seating" etc etc. Some clubs probably sooked about not having a box to sit in, bunch of softies. Wonder who that would have been?
So FV have moved the matches.
I'm fairly disappointed with their decision, it takes the footy away from people like me who do support the VFL and the TAC Cup week in, week out. At the end of the day I'm getting a bit fed up with how they operate down at FV, in their own little world, so I might start doing what thousands of others have already done and start following some local footy next year.
The thing is, the FV staff are often visible at games, we know they are there and in the thick of the action, I just think they see things through rose coloured glasses.
No doubt the poor facilities at Sandy (for both players and spectators alike) would have had something to do with it. But there was no need to move the game 100km away and change the date just because Karidinia Park has 4 change rooms and some boxes.
Another thing to consider- many clubs would have booked flights for recruiting officers on the Sunday - all stuffed up now.
The original decision was made months ago by Football Victoria - why did it take them so long to change?
What "poor " facilites are you refering to at Sandy? A bit like the pot calling the kettle black I would think coming from a Box Hill supporter. There are a lots worse facilities at other VFL grounds than those on offer at TBO.
Have to agree.
I went to Box Hill today to watch a VAFA GF and it had to rain.
I had to squeeze in just under a shade sail with 80 old Fitzroy ladies screaming at every contest.
Fantatsic facilities.
Watch out, rico will be upset ;)
I've made my thoughts of Box Hill's facilities well known before.
Yeah yeah , I know......we should have more SEATS , UNDER COVER...that's what VFL is all about isn't it ???
Cant have footy fans standing in the rain can we ?
Perhaps a roof over the joint might keep you guys happy.......
In all seriousness , Box Hill (like any ground at this level ) should have reasonable under cover seating available. It IS on the way but my sources tell me it's now more likely to be 2007 rather than 2006.
Still reckon you all get a bit precious about it though.
Yeah, good point Rico.
It's a disgrace not more undercover seating is available at Box Hill.