GEELONG can expect to play eight games at Simonds Stadium in 2018 after being given just seven home games next year in the AFL fixture released on Thursday.
With their ground's capacity restricted until the new stand is opened in May, the Cats do not play their first home game in 2017 until round nine when they take on the Western Bulldogs on a Friday night.
However AFL scheduling executive Travis Auld said he expected the reduction to seven games would be temporary with the new capacity of 36,000 making it an ideal venue once the Brownlow Stand is completed.
"They will have a really good venue for next year and I imagine they will get at least eight home games the year after," Auld said.
Geelong was disappointed it could not get eight home games in 2017 but Cats CEO Brian Cook said they were pleased to host Richmond in the new venue and he hoped the ground would eventually attract games involving Carlton and Essendon.
"With the redevelopment of the Brownlow Stand due for completion in mid-May, we understand why the AFL has scheduled only seven games here in 2017," Cook said.
"Whilst we are disappointed by this outcome, we are pleased by the number of 'big-ticket' games that have been scheduled at the ground."
The Cats play two 'home' games at Etihad Stadium – against North Melbourne in round two and Melbourne in round three – in the opening three rounds.
Cook said they hoped the AFL's purchasing of Etihad Stadium would give the League more flexibility in the games it scheduled at the venue.
Geelong has long argued it is forced to play home games at Etihad Stadium due to the AFL's contractual requirements, while other clubs play profitable home games in Darwin, Cairns, Launceston and Hobart.
The Cats have estimated previously they make about $500,000 profit on each game played at Simonds Stadium, so one less game at the venue directly affects their bottom line.
The opening of the Brownlow Stand on May 19 will be a significant moment for the Cats as it includes an upgraded football department and increased capacity the club hopes will result more than eight games at the venue in the future.
