Axver said:
I remember when Etihad/Telstra Doma/Colonial/Docklands/justfuckingstickwithaname opened, but I don't remember how they determined which teams got it as their home ground and which got the MCG. How'd that happen?
Stadium deals. The clubs just made deals with the stadiums to play home games there. Back when Death Valley first opened, it was just Essendon, StK and Footscray. All three clubs had recently fucked off their suburban grounds. Essendon were at the G for 10 years or so, STK were at Waverley for about 10 years, and Footscray had stopped hosting matches at the Western Oval only about two years previously.
They still all have deals to play there, while Carlton and North Melbourne signed their own deals in the years to come to make it 5 co-tenants.
Carlton needed something new after they "outgrew" Princes Park.
North Melbourne used to call the MCG home. But they were too wee for it, and after years of not really being from anywhere, and tinkering with relocation, they needed a deal and Docklands was sufficient enough.
Collingwood just outgrew Vic Park and could justify an MCG deal due to their huge support base.
Hawthorn only signed a deal with the 'G after their old home at Waverley Park was prematurely demolished.
Richmond and Melbourne have been at the MCG for decades. It was geographically sensible (especially for Richmond who's old ground is a 3 minute walk from the MCG) and outgrew their suburban grounds years ago. The Demons have always kind of called the MCG home.
Mind you, you still get weird arse circumstances where Richmond or Collingwood will "host" a match at Docklands, for reasons unknown. Sometimes the MCG may even be free on the day!