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SWANS star Ryan O'Keefe declared the SCG to be Sydney's only home ground and said the players and fans would be desperate to avoid another trip to ANZ Stadium for an AFL final.
The Swans' 44-point win over Hawthorn at the SCG last Saturday raised hopes Sydney could rally to a sixth-place finish by the end of the season and secure a fairytale home final for retiring coach Paul Roos and skipper Brett Kirk.
But while the players and supporters prefer the club's spiritual home, the SCG, The Daily Telegraph understands the game must be played at Homebush because of a contractual arrangement between the AFL and ANZ Stadium.
The last time Sydney hosted a final at ANZ Stadium it pulled the lowest attendance for an AFL final with a crowd of just 19,127 at the 2008 elimination final with North Melbourne.
The game can only be moved under an agreement between all parties.
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But that would seem highly unlikely given that ANZ Stadium has already cleared the schedule from any NRL fixtures for the final round of the rugby league season and are keen to host the Swans.
It won't please Swans fans or players, and yesterday midfielder Ryan O'Keefe voiced his desire to get the game moved back to the SCG.
"We know where we want to play, we want to play the SCG," he said.
"The SCG is a big advantage for us, we play the ground really well.
"The atmosphere is heaps better, the SCG is our home ground. We don't classify ANZ as a home game.
"I think if you had 60,000 at ANZ and 40,000 at the SCG I think the 40,000 would be better atmosphere. I reckon the ground is the perfect build for AFL."
The Swans have lost their past five games at ANZ Stadium, including all three trips to Homebush this year, but have a 6-1 record at their spiritual home at Moore Park.
Sydney have averaged crowds of 47,950 over the four finals played at the Olympic Stadium, slightly more than the 46,000 capacity at the SCG.
Sydney had 39,079 fans at their most recent 2005 final against Geelong at the SCG and O'Keefe believes that is where the supporters would rather see big finals games.
"You ask the players, fans and supporters what they'd rather do and a lot of people like going to the SCG on a Saturday afternoon," he said. "It's a good day, you can't beat it and the atmosphere is great."
But of course, Sydney have to reach the finals yet and climb one rung higher on the ladder to claim the home advantage.
Their path to September is laced with danger, starting with Saturday's trip to Perth to face a stuttering Fremantle at Subiaco Oval.
Having disposed of premiership contenders Hawthorn, O'Keefe declared the Swans had gained the vital confidence required to beat those top four sides.
"[Hawthorn] have got some real good players, game breakers that can tear a game apart and to put a performance like that up really gives you confidence we can match the better teams," said O'Keefe.
"I don't think our depth is as strong as the top four sides so we need everyone to play well. We can't carry players and that was a good sign.
"If we can make the finals and come in with some good form then at least we can hit the finals with a bit of momentum."
Link: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/afl/swans-demand-anz-bailout/story-e6frexx0-1225902767833
Where is Gallop jumping in and trying to get the AFL out? Get in there and try to get ANZ fixed up to the rectangular field we need! It will be better for NRL, A-League, Rugby, and for the World Cup Bid.