Backlash directed toward the AFL's decision to schedule Saturday's AFLW semi-final between Richmond and North Melbourne at Punt Road has continued, with players questioning the fixturing call, while Tigers CEO Brendon Gale has explained the reasoning behind the venue choice.
Following the conclusion to the opening weekend of the Season 7 finals action, the AFL released the schedule for the semi-final round of the post-season, which saw the Tigers and Roos set to clash at the Swinburne Centre.
The matchup at Punt Road Oval, which holds just over 2000 fans, sold out within minutes when tickets went live on Monday afternoon, prompting further frustration from fans who had planned to show their support in Richmond.
The 1:40pm (AEDT) matchup is also set to commence an hour prior to the Matildas' clash with Sweden at AAMI Park, another fixture in Melbourne's sporting precinct that is set to warrant a high demand given it will be Australia's first game in the city since 2019.
While the AFL and AFLW aren't too worried about the time clash with the Matildas, fans have still been left frustrated by the venue decision, likely limiting the semi-final crowd from what could have reached more than double the predicted attendance elsewhere.
Ikon Park and Marvel Stadium are both understood to be available for Saturday's time slot, however the game is set to go ahead in front of a capacity crowd at Richmond's home ground.
Speaking on RSN, Collingwood captain Steph Chiocci said the game should be moved to Princes Park.
"Personally, I would want to play the game on the best available ground with the biggest crowd available to us," she said.
"It's bigger than the game itself. It's about promoting women's footy and putting on a show. That's the way I look at it.
"I would be pushing for Ikon Park. It has wonderful facilities, It caters for thousands of people. Why not put us on the biggest stage."
North Melbourne veteran Emma Kearney echoed Chiocci's thinking when speaking with News Corp, while another player called the decision to host the match at Punt Road "pathetic".
“When it's a crucial game, you want to be able to try to get as many fans into the game as possible,” Kearney said.
Also speaking to the publication, Gale said that the decision was made as a result of plans for the Tigers to secure the best home ground advantage possible.
Following talks with the league, a decision to host the match at Punt Road was given the green light.
“We had some discussions with the AFL regarding the venue for this weekend's game, but ultimately we decided our AFLW team had earned the right to play a home final,” Gale said.
“Our players and coaching staff have worked incredibly hard for this opportunity and are very excited to be playing at the Swinburne Centre.
“While we understand some fans will be disappointed given the capacity of the venue, we owe it to our players to give them the best chance of winning.
“This discussion underlines the significance of our planned redevelopment at Punt Road Oval which will grow our capacity to almost 8000 – a project we are fully committed to delivering.”
The Tigers will be looking to bounce back from their qualifying final defeat against Brisbane, while the Roos plan to book their spot against the Demons in next week's preliminary final after knocking off the Cats at Kardinia Park last Saturday night.
