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St Kilda boss details home final venue preference as September picture becomes clear

“It’s been nice to have our destiny in our own hands.”

Published by
Mitch Keating

While not confident they'll get their wish, St Kilda are hopeful they can host a home final at Marvel Stadium instead of the MCG if they are fortunate enough to book one.

The Saints solidified their September return last weekend after defeating Geelong and seeing the Western Bulldogs fall to West Coast, with the Moorabbin club now able to move as high as fifth on the ladder by the cessation of the home and away season, which will conclude this weekend.

A trip to the Gabba to face the Lions will prove to be a fitting test for Ross Lyon's men on the eve of finals, with Brisbane having gone undefeated at their home venue this year from their 11 matches at Vulture Street.

St Kilda have managed a successful record at home games this year as well and have won nine of their 14 total games at Marvel Stadium in Lyon's return to the coaches box.

The Saints played just two games at the MCG during the home and away season - a Round 3 win over Essendon and a Round 14 defeat to Richmond.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: Ross Lyon, Senior Coach of the Saints looks onduring the 2023 AFL Round 11 match between the St Kilda Saints and the Hawthorn Hawks at Marvel Stadium on May 27, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

With fellow Victorian clubs Collingwood, Melbourne and Carlton also a live chance to book home finals with results this weekend, the Saints could be in consideration to host a home final at Docklands if results also work in their favour throughout Round 24.

Speaking to 3AW on Wednesday, St Kilda CEO Simon Lethlean said the club would prefer a home final at Marvel Stadium, but understands the likelihood of calling the MCG home for just the second time this year if non-Victorian clubs manage to book themselves a home final instead.

"It's been nice to have our destiny in our own hands. We are in (finals) which is great," Lethlean said.

"I think history will show if there is only two or three finals and not four in Victoria that they will be at the MCG. I don't expect that will be any different.

"If we were given a choice, we would certainly want to play at our home ground which is Marvel. The reality is, if there's two or three finals (in Melbourne) then they'll be at the 'G.

"If it is in Victoria we would be super happy."

A win for Brisbane is likely to give the Queensland club a home final at the Gabba as part of the top two on the ladder, with a loss for the Saints potentially allowing Sydney and GWS to demote the Victorian club to an away elimination final fixture for week one of the post-season.

Nevertheless, any finals appearance will bode well for St Kilda, with the financial implications of a September showing set to aid the red, white and black.

Lethlean said being able to play finals will make conversations "far more palatable" with club sponsors while also putting "a smile on your fans' faces".

"There's no doubt it gives you a boost in the now and a boost in the year coming," Lethlean said the positive impact of booking a top eight spot.

"The revenue from finals are the AFL's, but there's no doubt we're going to have a vibrant precinct at RSEA Park next week and the week after in the lead-up to finals and training sessions.

"The sentiment going into membership renewals in August, September and October will be better than if you haven't qualified for finals.

"We're in sponsor conversations now where there'll be easier conversations as we get to say we're a finals team and in front of 1-2 million eyeballs on TV in the weeks ahead.

"(Playing finals) certainly opens up those conversations and makes them far more palatable. It's just great momentum, good energy and it puts a smile on your fans' faces.

"I expect there will be thousands of people (at RSEA Park) in the lead-up to the game at our opening trainings to celebrate and be part of the movement."

St Kilda will travel to Brisbane this week ahead of their Saturday matchup at the Gabba at 4:35pm (AEST).

2023-08-26T06:35:00Z
Published by
Mitch Keating