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I know that TEAC Oval has the most central location, the best grandstand and other viewing areas, car parking/public transport and media facilities.
However, the most important thing for the VFL is the standard of footy. I'm not convinced that TEAC Oval can provide the highest standard of footy. The size of the ground allows players to cover plenty of ground without spending a heck of a lot of petrol (although they probably get belted around more). There are a lot of stoppages as a result cos a lot of players tend to hang around the footy. In the old VFA days things were different, there are now a lot of fitter AFL players.
It is also easier for sides to drop numbers back, and I doubt it is a ground which suits many tall forwards. I reckon it suits midfield/flanker type forwards more. Despite a home and away season where Port Melbourne kicked 300 more "points for" than any other side, they seem to do it without having any one particular tall forward.
Barring Port Melbourne, the most goals a side has kicked there this year in a game is 14. So that takes away any argument about the ground being small which allows high scores.
Is it time Football Victoria look at alternate venues for finals, where more exciting and skilful footy can be played? What have you thought of the footy at TEAC Oval this year? Maybe they can just extend the ground a bit?
