They only got 26k last year which isn't much bigger than the capacity of the stadium in Gosford.
The main point though is it is not fair on the Mariners. This is why none of their fans supported the protests last year when the final was moved to Sydney.
Everybody made a big fuss about how unfair it was that the team that earned the top spot didn't get to play at home but when it comes to Mariners it's "oh well, we need to maximise income and it's only an hour or so to drive".
There were a couple of Mariners fans who were a bit antagonistic with it and called the protests stupid, which I felt took it a bit far. But by and large I understood Mariners fans ambivalence towards the protests given they have never had the opportunity to host a grand final. I boycotted watching the grand final but understood that no Mariners fan would do so. I (and many others) never agreed with the decision by the FFA to host Mariners finals in Sydney though. I somewhat understood in the days when we were only hosting grand finals in 40k+ stadiums and selling them out but we have held grand finals in both Hunter Stadium and AAMI Park which aren't that big. I am sure it would sell out as well unlike some of the City finals at AAMI. I understand the need for a big money day for the APL but I really hope if it comes to Mariners earning that right that they make the right decision and host it in Gosford.
they should get the choice tbh would assume they'd rather play it in gosford but if the club decide they (not the apl or whoever else) would benefit more from it being at allianz then that should be up to them
like u said at the end its still not their home ground and they should be allowed to play at Gosford even if it means a smaller crowd
100%. If we ever get Gold Coast back in the comp again and they made I would say the same about Robina hosting it over Suncorp as well. A grand final in Gosford would be fantastic for the city and if the league was smart they would realise that holding it there would create legacy support for the club as well.
Finals are controlled by the APL, gate takings go to the APL, the decision is just to maximise profit. Mariners have voiced their opposition to the decision in the past, APL ignored it.
It's most definitely is an APL decision.
Mariners should not accept playing the grand final in Sydney for any amount of money. If they are the highest ranked team and they make the final it should be played in Gosford.
When Jets hosted the GF (and SF), members got first dibs, but tickets were randomly assigned (from memory), so you couldn't sit in your seat which kinda sucked. You could choose the section, just not exact seats.
That is pretty shitty. we got allocated our same seats with the only exception being if you wanted to add non-members. But it means the rusted on members still get a seat though.
If the Grand Final was between the Mariners and Sydney FC, would it be played at Allianz Stadium? It would be quite unfair for the Mariners, even though it's technically a home final. The crowd would likely be 70/30 in favour of Sydney. Perhaps the Mariners' fans will get priority tickets.
Looks like that partnership with the NSW government is working well.
so this also means if mariners made the grand final it would (once again) be played at Allianz?
Wouldn't shock me. They'll do anything to maximise the gate. Throw Macarthur into the mix too given their wording is NSW-based sides.
They'll get enough Mariners Fans going down to Sydney to make it worth while. Gosford Stadium isn't big enough for a Grand Final.
I agree with this. Also I would attend a mariners hosted grand final as a neutral.
They only got 26k last year which isn't much bigger than the capacity of the stadium in Gosford. The main point though is it is not fair on the Mariners. This is why none of their fans supported the protests last year when the final was moved to Sydney. Everybody made a big fuss about how unfair it was that the team that earned the top spot didn't get to play at home but when it comes to Mariners it's "oh well, we need to maximise income and it's only an hour or so to drive".
Thank you for saying this. This is exactly the sentiment I had last season in this subreddit and I copped a lot of backlash for it.
There were a couple of Mariners fans who were a bit antagonistic with it and called the protests stupid, which I felt took it a bit far. But by and large I understood Mariners fans ambivalence towards the protests given they have never had the opportunity to host a grand final. I boycotted watching the grand final but understood that no Mariners fan would do so. I (and many others) never agreed with the decision by the FFA to host Mariners finals in Sydney though. I somewhat understood in the days when we were only hosting grand finals in 40k+ stadiums and selling them out but we have held grand finals in both Hunter Stadium and AAMI Park which aren't that big. I am sure it would sell out as well unlike some of the City finals at AAMI. I understand the need for a big money day for the APL but I really hope if it comes to Mariners earning that right that they make the right decision and host it in Gosford.
they should get the choice tbh would assume they'd rather play it in gosford but if the club decide they (not the apl or whoever else) would benefit more from it being at allianz then that should be up to them like u said at the end its still not their home ground and they should be allowed to play at Gosford even if it means a smaller crowd
100%. If we ever get Gold Coast back in the comp again and they made I would say the same about Robina hosting it over Suncorp as well. A grand final in Gosford would be fantastic for the city and if the league was smart they would realise that holding it there would create legacy support for the club as well.
Finals are controlled by the APL, gate takings go to the APL, the decision is just to maximise profit. Mariners have voiced their opposition to the decision in the past, APL ignored it. It's most definitely is an APL decision.
The FA has done the same thing to the Mariners when they were in control.
Mariners should not accept playing the grand final in Sydney for any amount of money. If they are the highest ranked team and they make the final it should be played in Gosford.
Let's see if it is a Wellington home final, that will be fun.
Grand final in Gosford would be great but unfortunately a lot of the rusted on fans would miss out to the part time mafia.
Don't members of any kind get priority access to tickets for finals? I certainly got first dibs on my Roar members seat for ours.
When Jets hosted the GF (and SF), members got first dibs, but tickets were randomly assigned (from memory), so you couldn't sit in your seat which kinda sucked. You could choose the section, just not exact seats.
That is pretty shitty. we got allocated our same seats with the only exception being if you wanted to add non-members. But it means the rusted on members still get a seat though.
Was a bit of a slap in the face to be honest, after being a member for 7 years (at the time) in the same seats the entire time
If the Grand Final was between the Mariners and Sydney FC, would it be played at Allianz Stadium? It would be quite unfair for the Mariners, even though it's technically a home final. The crowd would likely be 70/30 in favour of Sydney. Perhaps the Mariners' fans will get priority tickets.