Six at Simonds for Falcons

Geelong Falcons and Calder Cannons will again meet in a Friday night fixture at Simonds Stadium in 2016. Picture: BRIAN BARTLETT

JUST a month after regional manager Michael Turner raised concerns about the cost of playing at Simonds Stadium, the Geelong Falcons have been fixtured for six matches at the venue in 2016.

The Falcons open their season at Simonds against arch-rivals North Ballarat on Easter Saturday (March 26), while a night game in Round 7 against Calder Cannons has again scheduled.

Despite the issues with the financial impact of playing on the ground, Turner has welcomed the allocation for 2016.

“We want to play on Simonds Stadium, it’s one of the best grounds in Australia,” he said.

“And AFL recruiters, which we’re appealing to, want to see the kids playing on the best grounds under AFL conditions, and Simonds is that.

“We’re the only TAC Cup club who gets that chance and I appreciate that, but cost is a factor and why I threw it out there before.”

They will also play three home games at Werribee’s Avalon Airport Oval and they are listed as the home team for the Country Round meeting with Murray Bushrangers at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval.

If the Falcons finish in the top eight they will have a bye in Round 18. A finish of ninth or below will see them play on the weekend before the finals to end the season.

Twitter: @tom_king79

GEELONG FALCONS FIXTURE 2016