Europewithkids

My family will be in Melbourne from August 24th-28th and we will definitely catch an AFL game. I know that MCG is "The Home of Football," but I assume the Telstra Dome is climate controlled. Assuming we can do the Sunday afternoon game at the MCG or the Friday night game at the Telstra Dome, which would you recommend during that time of year? Also, is one game likely to be better/more fun/more atmosphere/better "real footie" experience than the other? Here is the schedule for those dates:

Round 21
Friday, 25th August EST LOC
Western Bulldogs vs. St. Kilda Telstra Dome (Night) 7:40pm 7:40pm
Saturday, 26th August EST LOC
Geelong vs. Melbourne Skilled Stadium 2:10pm 2:10pm
Hawthorn vs. Kangaroos Aurora Stadium 2:10pm 2:10pm
Richmond vs. Essendon M.C.G. (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sydney vs. Brisbane Lions Telstra Stadium (Night) 7:10pm 7:10pm
Sunday, 27th August EST LOC
Port Adelaide vs. Adelaide AAMI Stadium (Early Start) 1:10pm 12:40pm
Collingwood vs. Carlton M.C.G. 2:10pm 2:10pm
West Coast vs. Fremantle Subiaco 4:40pm 2:40pm

mpoll

The biggest game of that weekend is Collingwood v Carlton. The biggest and most traditional of grudge matches. Maybe not the best 2 teams, but the biggest dcrowd and best atmostphere. I'd go for that one. Friday night at the Telstra Dome will also be a great experience - two Melbourne teams.

Europewithkids

Any real chance that either game will sell out or get near capacity?

MissB99

I would definitely go for the MCG, a great stadium with terrific atmosphere.
The Docklands Stadium (Telstra Dome) has a capacity of about 50,000 some of which is allocated to AFL members, Medallion Club and corporate guests. So general public iadmission is around 40,000. Neither the Bulldogs or St.Kilda have very large memberships/supporters so it is unlikely that it will be a sell out.
The MCG holds 100,000 and Carlton and Collingwood both have a large (and passionate) supporter base, but it is rare for a sellout at the MCG except for the finals and the Anzac Day match.
Keep a watch on the AFL website
http://afl.com.au/

Europewithkids

Thanks. We may even do both, at least me and my sons (maybe my wife will bug out of one of them and shop instead!). Question -- on a Friday night in August, would the Telstra Dome roof usually be closed or only if it is raining? Also, is the MCG typically very cold during the day in August (aside from the temperature and rain, which you cannot know, is it a windy place, for example)?

MissB99

The closing of the roof policy is a bit variable, generally closed if there is a forecast of rain (although I have been there on a beautiful sunny day, temperature 27C plus and the roof was closed because it was too sunny!!)
The renovated MCG is basically completely enclosed now, so the wind should not be a factor and over 80% of the seats are undercover. If you wear warm clothing you should have no troubles.
The AFL games go ahead regardless of the weather. By the way both venues are very accessible, walking distance from the Central City and good public transport to the door if you are staying in the suburbs