Saturday night was a tremendous occasion for football in Australia. After the success of the Melbourne derby over the past few seasons, the Sydney version has finally arrived as the number one sporting game in the city.
Half the stadium clad in Sydney FC's sky blue and the other half in Wanderers' black and red was a sight to see with deafening noise coming from both sets of supporters. The rectangular shape of Allianz and the fact there wasn't a spare seat in the house were crucial factors to the level of atmosphere.
Wanderers fans show their passion in the away end at Allianz Stadium (Pic:Getty Images)
The point of moving one or all of the derbies to Homebush would be to get extra fans in and make more money. While shifting the game would definitely achieve these goals, you can guarantee it will be in detriment to the atmosphere for several reasons.
Football fans are fiercely proud of their own stadium. It's where they have some of the best football-supporting moments of their lives - whether that is celebrating uncontrollably because of a last minute winner, creating a fearsome atmosphere for opposition players or the pre-match good times with like-minded fans in pubs around the venue.
While it wouldn't be enough to seriously affect a Homebush derby attendance, there would be an alienation and probable boycott of some fans if the game was moved away from 'their turf'.
These are the same fans who contribute week in, week out to their team's cause and why games like the Sydney derby have grown in the first place.
Homebush was a magnificent Olympic venue but it's quite frankly a disappointing place to watch live sports. It's a huge concrete bowl where fans are spread out because of the venue size, the match is far away from most eyes because of the pitch shape and it's difficult to travel to and home from when crowds are large.
Sounds like a great football experience....
Having lived in Melbourne, the experience of 30,000 Victory and City fans singing and cheering at an intimate AAMI Park is simply surreal compared to a reduced atmosphere at Docklands despite a larger crowd.
I'm guessing the majority of a Sydney FC and Wanderers fans would rather attend a derby at capacity full Allianz or Parramatta stadium's than a half full venue at Homebush.
It doesn't make sense to take away the best parts of a growing event in order to promote it.
Have your say on twitter whether the Sydney derby should be moved to Homebush at @SportalAU.