Essendon's round nine match against Hawthorn should remain at Colonial Stadium - that's the verdict from the latest Bomberland poll asking users for their opinion on whether the match should be transferred. There has been some discussion about the match being switched to the MCG based on Hawthorn's excellent form and the likelihood of a large crowd being attracted to the game. However Bomberland users say it should stay put. Over 4000 votes were collated with 2390 (60%) saying the game should stay where it was originally scheduled. The poll attracted plenty of comments from voters.

Some of the comments made in favour of leaving the game at Colonial Stadium were:

Neil Kinkead from Kealba, Victoria says: Essendon should just look after its own supporters, (who get preference booking), and fill the stadium with Black and Red. Remember to look after #1, not the others.

Ben Percy from NSW says: For interstate visitors who book trips to see the Bombers play in Melbourne in advance, re-scheduling such events and switching dates just weeks before the match ends up as a very dissapointing waste of time and money.

Kathleen Mullins from Geelong says: When the draw is made it should remain. Some country supporters make arrangements ahead of time eg. Mildura and it is difficult and sometimes expensive to change.

Matthew Theophanis from Eltham says: Colonial gives us a home ground advantage becasue the crowd is so one sided.

Gareth from Melbourne says: I strongly believe the round nine match against the Hawks should not be moved from colonial. By staying at Colonial, it would be able to show the public that peeople really want to go there, and that it is a great place to watch AFL. I feel you should strongly listen to our members choice on this, not just look at the financial gains that could be made. Plus, leaving it at Colonial will make the crowd more in our favour, as most would have there reserved seat on the bottom and second level, so we can dish it out to the Hawks as there winning streak comes to an end by the greatest team this century!! GO BOMBERS!!!

Some of the comments made in favour of the move to the MCG were:

Dave Steel from Melbourne says: We were told blockbuster games would be moved to the MCG...1 v 2 is almost as big as they get...and if the weather is good 70,000 will turn up...and the MCG is free the next day so it should be changed.

Paul Drohan from Ballarat says: If both clubs keep winning I cannot see any reason why we could not get 65,000 - 70,000 at the MCG. More people to see the footy can only be good for the game.

Peter Schwab from Kilsyth Victoria says: With the number of supporters the Bombers have and the great start to the season of Hawthorn I would say about 80,000 people will want to attend the match so the match should be moved to allow more of the fans to watch what should be a great game of football.

Nigel Leitch from Horsham says: The game should be transferred to the MCG because that is where the Grand Final is played. Essendon plays the MCG better than any other team and the more we play there the better off we will be when Grand Final day comes. The MCG is the premier football venue in Australia and Essendon is the premier football side .. enough said.

Don Greer from South Australia says: Call me biased but the MCG is the best football ground in the world. Nothing can beat the atmosphere, even when there is a small crowd. I have not had the chance to go to Colonial as yet but from what I have seen on TV there does not appear to be any advantage to playing there when you consider that the MCG is where the grand final is played and the reason why we moved there many years ago. Football is meant to be played outside in the rain, wind, sunshine and with the presence of those much maligned seagulls.