THE Greater Western Sydney Giants could be back in Ballarat on Saturday with the AFL working through logistics as to where to play the Sydney derby after the state government slammed shut the border to both New South Wales and Canberra overnight.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With both the MCG and Marvel Stadium to host games next Saturday, and the Giants likely to resist a 'home' match against the Swans at Geelong, given the Swans excellent form at the venue in recent years, including a 92-point thumping of West Coast just last weekend, Ballarat is very much in the running to host the match.
The AFL will decide early in the week on the possibility of another MCG double header. But for that to occur, the league would need to change the starting time of the Melbourne versus Hawthorn twilight clash, which could be problematic with broadcasters as the Saturday night clash is what now looms as a blockbuster between St Kilda and Port Adelaide at Marvel Stadium.
The small, but vocal crowd at Sunday's match made for a terrific atmosphere and with the promise of the Sydney Swans in hot form and 'Buddy' Franklin, you could almost guarantee a capacity house at Mars of 11,000 next weekend.
The Giants are willing to return to Ballarat. List Manager Jason McCartney said while their first preference would be a match in Canberra, the hard border may make that impossible.
"Who knows what is going to happen. The club will work closely with the AFL, but ultimately Gil (GIllon McLachlan) and his team will make the decision," he said.
"We are acutely aware of the Swans and that was a very good strategic play by them to play in Geelong where they have such a strong record against a strong Geelong side over a number of years.
"We'll work with Gil and his team whatever they decide, we're confident we do not want to be hosting them down at Geelong that's for sure."
Giants coach Leon Cameron said, despite the loss, he was impressed by the facilities at Mars Stadium for the Giants' first game at the venue.
"It's not Ballarat's fault we lost by a point," he said. "Where we stayed was terrific, clearly there was a good atmosphere at the game, the ground is in fantastic nick,
"It was a good old hard winter game today. The experience has been fantastic, if we play here again next time, we can take those learnings from the game today." The AFL is expected to decide the venue early in the week.
