Axe Man
12-12-2014, 10:42 AM
Geelong, Western Bulldogs set for AFL-VFL double-header at Simonds Stadium in 2015 (http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-western-bulldogs-set-for-afl-vfl-double-header-at-simonds-stadium-in-2015/story-fnelctok-1227152991721)
THE traditional footy curtain-raiser will be flipped on its head next year, with Geelong’s VFL team to play a history-making “encore” match at Simonds Stadium.
Fans will receive a double dose of footy in one sitting with the Cats playing Footscray in a VFL twilight match immediately after the AFL game between Geelong and the Western Bulldogs in Round 16.
To ensure a fast turnaround, the VFL teams could run out as early as 10 minutes after the AFL match finishes.
The Simonds Stadium double-header is a win for fans in an era where traditional curtain raisers have gone the way of the dinosaur.
With the AFL match starting at 1.45pm, the VFL game will start between 4.45-5pm and finish about 7.45pm.
The VFL fixture is yet to be released, but it is understood the turnaround from final siren of the AFL game to first bounce in the VFL game will be no more than 30 minutes.
Traditional curtain raisers have struggled to keep pace with the modern AFL game.
Issues relating to sharing changerooms, early start times, ground costs and a compulsory one-hour clear-zone before AFL matches make them almost impossible in the modern era.
Geelong’s curtain raiser this year against the Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium saw the VFL game finish more than an hour before the start of the AFL game to allow for adequate warm-up time.
It’s why the Cats have instead pushed for “encore” matches to give fans more bang for their buck.
Similar “encore” matches have been played at the Gabba but this will be the first at Simonds Stadium — and possibly in Victoria.
The ground costs of running “encore” matches are said to be less than firing up a stadium early for curtain-raisers.
Ground staff can also shut down several food and beverage facilities at the end of the AFL game, leaving a select few open to cater for those sticking around for the VFL game.
It is expected Geelong’s VFL side will warm up on St Mary’s Oval, while Footscray will complete its pre-game preparations on the Geelong Cricket Oval.
Reserved seating will cease at the end of the AFL game, allowing fans to roam freely around the ground to watch the VFL match from any grandstand.
The VFL fixture is yet to be released but it is understood it will be both fan-friendly and TV-friendly, paving the way for more Geelong matches on free-to-air TV.
Channel Seven, the new VFL broadcaster, will telecast the VFL match-of-the-day live at midday leading into its AFL coverage, providing VFL clubs with unrivalled exposure.
The VFL fixture will take a different look next season after the demise of the now-defunct Bendigo Gold.
But Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval will still host VFL matches, with Geelong set to travel to the state’s centre in early May for a night match against Collingwood.
THE traditional footy curtain-raiser will be flipped on its head next year, with Geelong’s VFL team to play a history-making “encore” match at Simonds Stadium.
Fans will receive a double dose of footy in one sitting with the Cats playing Footscray in a VFL twilight match immediately after the AFL game between Geelong and the Western Bulldogs in Round 16.
To ensure a fast turnaround, the VFL teams could run out as early as 10 minutes after the AFL match finishes.
The Simonds Stadium double-header is a win for fans in an era where traditional curtain raisers have gone the way of the dinosaur.
With the AFL match starting at 1.45pm, the VFL game will start between 4.45-5pm and finish about 7.45pm.
The VFL fixture is yet to be released, but it is understood the turnaround from final siren of the AFL game to first bounce in the VFL game will be no more than 30 minutes.
Traditional curtain raisers have struggled to keep pace with the modern AFL game.
Issues relating to sharing changerooms, early start times, ground costs and a compulsory one-hour clear-zone before AFL matches make them almost impossible in the modern era.
Geelong’s curtain raiser this year against the Bulldogs at Simonds Stadium saw the VFL game finish more than an hour before the start of the AFL game to allow for adequate warm-up time.
It’s why the Cats have instead pushed for “encore” matches to give fans more bang for their buck.
Similar “encore” matches have been played at the Gabba but this will be the first at Simonds Stadium — and possibly in Victoria.
The ground costs of running “encore” matches are said to be less than firing up a stadium early for curtain-raisers.
Ground staff can also shut down several food and beverage facilities at the end of the AFL game, leaving a select few open to cater for those sticking around for the VFL game.
It is expected Geelong’s VFL side will warm up on St Mary’s Oval, while Footscray will complete its pre-game preparations on the Geelong Cricket Oval.
Reserved seating will cease at the end of the AFL game, allowing fans to roam freely around the ground to watch the VFL match from any grandstand.
The VFL fixture is yet to be released but it is understood it will be both fan-friendly and TV-friendly, paving the way for more Geelong matches on free-to-air TV.
Channel Seven, the new VFL broadcaster, will telecast the VFL match-of-the-day live at midday leading into its AFL coverage, providing VFL clubs with unrivalled exposure.
The VFL fixture will take a different look next season after the demise of the now-defunct Bendigo Gold.
But Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval will still host VFL matches, with Geelong set to travel to the state’s centre in early May for a night match against Collingwood.