‘Prefer the G': Collingwood whinge about home game at Marvel Stadium

News.com.au

4 hours ago

Collingwood is taking on St Kilda in Melbourne on Saturday night – and the Pies still found a way to complain about the fixture.
The Pies, who have enormous pulling power with their Collingwood Army, are universally acknowledged as having the comfiest draw in the competition.
They rarely venture away from the familiar confines of the MCG, playing just six interstate games across this season, which includes Gather Round.
Of their 23 matches this season, 14 of them are at the 100,000-seat MCG, with another three games around three kilometres across the city at Marvel Stadium.
Two of those Marvel fixtures are home games, including Saturday night against the Saints, and that fact doesn't seem to sit well with the Collingwood cheer squad or many of the club's pampered fans.
The Collingwood banner ahead of the match against the Saints read: 'A home game at Marvel, we prefer the 'G, this crowd feels like an intimate dinner party.'
Poor things must feel lost having to travel all that way and somehow find a seat in the diminutive 53,000-seat venue.
Cam Mooney was fired up as he spoke on Fox Footy as the Pies ran through the banner.
'They've just run out, you can hear the crowd, a huge crowd here tonight at Marvel with Collingwood,' he said.
'I'm looking forward to watching Tim Membrey, playing his first game against the old club.
'It's always a nervous one, 10 years, nearly 180 games, three-time leading goalkicker at St Kilda and then he got the sack at the end of the year.
'What a great pick up from Collingwood.'
While former key forward Mooney was excited about Membrey, man of those watching on were poking fun at the venue for the Collingwood side.
Sports producer Brad Klibansky noticed the banner and tweeted: 'Cheeky from the Pies.'
Max Blake joked: 'Spare a thought for Collingwood players and fans playing a home game on the road at Marvel.'
An X account called Broice wrote: 'Important road-trip for the Pies tonight.'
Anthony Leach was having fun, tweeting: 'Did Collingwood sell a home game to St Kilda? I guess that's what battler clubs have to do to make a buck.'
The official Collingwood account tweeted its Game Day Guide on Friday with the caption: 'Our first home game under the Marvel Stadium roof for 2025!'
It's fair to say their huge supporter base was far from pleased, particularly as Marvel happens to be St Kilda's home ground.
Renowned race caller Bryan Martin was clearly miffed, replying: 'One too many.'
Another fan replied: 'Imagine Arsenal playing a home game at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. That's what's happening here. We should never agree to a home game against a Marvel tenant.'
Millane Raymond wrote: 'Home game against a team that is their home ground.'
An angry fan stated: 'It's not a home game if it's not at the MCG! I hate when we get a home game that isn't at the G, it makes no sense and especially considering the Saints home is Marvel.'
Another fan declared: 'And we are travelling two games in row.'
That last fan at least added a cry laughing emoji, owing to the fact the Pies also 'travel' to Marvel to take on West Coast next week.
While Collingwood occasionally being 'forced' to play away from the MCG is good fodder for footy fans, some were genuinely surprised by the move.
Lachy Mahoney tweeted: 'This game being played at Telstra Dome is absolutely ridiculous. And I'm not a Collingwood supporter by the way.'
Another blamed the AFL, writing: 'Why are Collingwood playing at Marvel? Poor from the AFL.'
It remains to be seen if the underdog Saints take advantage of the chance to play at their home ground, trailing by just two points midway through the third term.