CASEY FIELDS VFL OVAL SURFACE

Submitted by caseyscorp on
Dolphin wrote in an earlier topic: "The experience with the new surface at Frankston last year suggests that this alone will be a major issue for you. A new surface takes time to bind, and the grass structure might look good on the surface but shifts and chops up significanlt more than established turf. So this will take time." On the Scorpions website sting44 made the following comment this week: "I checked out the surface at No 1 oval last Monday and it is first class. The Williamstown players also complemented the surface at No 2 oval." I understand that the VFL oval (called the No 1 oval by sting44) has an even better surface than the No 2 oval which is where the match against Williamstown was played. Hopefully Casey Fields will exceed Dolphin's expectations.
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Victorian Football League - General Discussion
AkiBerg Mon, 27 Mar 2006 - 01:34
The St Kilda theme song was used by other clubs at that pox ground off Springvale Road teams were unfortunate to be fixured at last year... "My garden shed, is bigger than this, My garden shed is bigger than this, Its got a door, and a window. My garden shed is bigger than this". They even HAD a garden shed there as well! Lmao. Thankfully the Port Melbourne away game against these blockheads will be a five minute drive from me.
NorthPort Mon, 27 Mar 2006 - 12:50
I thought the quality of the surface was pretty good... as well as Oval #3 which looked like it had been given quite a lot of water. The grandstand for Oval #1 looked quite good from what I could see across the road. But some of the issues from Saturdays game at Oval #2: 1. $5 admission. 2. No shade.. Very little cover at all. 3. Coaches had to coach from the backs of Utes 4. No seating. I brought some fold out chairs (but I stand at the footy anyway) 5. No scoreboard... not even a portable one. 6. A ladies toilet.. but no Gents toilet (two ppl told me that) 7. A dust storm over the ground as soon as a single car past on the road nearby. It was pointed out that it wouldn't be a problem during winter. 8. Nothing to stop the wind. 9. Cars parked around the ground (something remains from Springvale) 10. The ground wasn't flat. It was like Windy Hill... on the outer side of the ground, it really slopes away. Maybe they will fix it when the ground settles a bit.. That said.. I reckon their proper VFL ground looks alright.. There is at least a bit of a rise around the ground... which will provide a bit more elevation when watching the game, and may provide a little bit of protection from the wind. I'm looking forward to seeing a game played on the #1 Oval there.
sam Mon, 27 Mar 2006 - 21:56

I walked the ground on Saturday,and the surface is magnifcent, a really lush cover .The ground is spacious with beautiful wide wings.A bit of a rise in the middle,but standing in the middle of the ground reminded me of the days you could have a kick on the G after the siren.In time it will be the best ground in the VFL.In time there will be a road down and the dust will be gone,we need to give the stadium a bit of time.
caseyscorp Topic starter Mon, 27 Mar 2006 - 23:18
Well said Samm. I recall moving into a new house, and lots needed to be done. It wasn't as established as other people's houses, and the garden needed to be planted and to grow. As well as that, over time, improvements were made to the house. I imagine that the standard of the VFL facility at Casey Fields will be every bit as good as the best, and probably better than most once it has had a chance to establish and develop. Crikey, I can't believe the expectations from some people who have had decades to develop their facilities. The need for instant gratification is an unfortunate symptom of modern society. Lets have another look in 10 years time and see which facility is better (and don't forget how little time 10 years is - it was 1996 10 years ago). Onslaught, just in relation to a number of points you've made: 1. entry fee - I don't know, but I thought other clubs also charged entry fees to practice matches. 2. Trees will grow in time, and other sorts of cover may or may not be required at Oval 2 (it is a senior sized oval, and a permanent tenant hasn't been identified yet). 3. As above (Oval 2 is a senior sized oval, and a permanent tenant hasn't been identified yet). When there is a permanent team identified, no doubt an appropriate standard of facilities will be provided depending on the standard of competition). 4. Don't forget this is an oval which is being used as a temporary base for the Casey Scorpions, and it is still part of a precinct which is being developed. 5. This is a temporary base for the Scorpions. Maybe the club doesn't own a portable scoreboard. Hang on, it was only a practice match anyway, and the timekeepers were keeping the score. 6. Fair comment if that was the case. Must say it was so hot my body didn't have any surplus liquid to dispose of. 7. Roads will be sealed one day......Rome wasn't built in a day. 8. A nice breeze on Saturday - you wouldn't have wanted the wind stopped. Thousands of trees have been planted at Casey Fields, and when they grow there will be plenty of wind break. 9. Oval 2 isn't the VFL facility - one day it will be a local club facility and they'll probably want cars around the oval. There'll be no cars around the VFL oval. 10. The ground has been built to drain well. There is a designed slope away from the cricket pitch area. The VFL facility will change dramatically in the 4½ weeks to opening day. Car park, lighting, scoreboard, landscaping & fit-out of the building (and a big sign out on the main road). It will be fantastic, and I can't wait. And in only 4 days it seems we'll get the benefit of Dolphin's cynicism and anger back. For that I'm not so keen.
vfa Tue, 28 Mar 2006 - 10:05
I didn't get to Casey Fields for a practice match due to the Commonwealth Games. I did go to watch a practice match between Williamstown v North Ballarat at Caroline Springs a few years ago and that was rough and ready.
NorthPort Tue, 28 Mar 2006 - 10:05
Fair enough CaseyScorp, I wasn't having a major dig or anything, I realise it was a temporary venue, and should be treated as such. But just a quick question re: 'point 10'
caseyscorp wrote:10. The ground has been built to drain well. There is a designed slope away from the cricket pitch area.
Is this ground likely to be used for Cricket in addition to the Cricket grounds further over in the complex (which are circles as opposed to ovals)?
Quote:And in only 4 days it seems we'll get the benefit of Dolphin's cynicism and anger back. For that I'm not so keen.
Hopefully its worth the wait... Who knows.. maybe he has mellowed in the past month! 8O I'm a big fan of the cynicism though.
caseyscorp Topic starter Tue, 28 Mar 2006 - 13:31
Oval 1 (the VFL Oval) is dedicated to football (specifically the Casey Scorpions) for the full year. It is not available for cricket. Ovals 2 & 3 are on the seasonal cycle - football in winter and cricket in summer. The ovals are designed for senior football, although Devon Meadows Junior Football Club will be using them this year. Oval 2 has a turf cricket wicket, whereas Oval 3 has a synthetic wicket. Ovals 4 & 5 are the Premier Cricket ovals with turf wickets and will be used by the Casey-South Melbourne Cricket Club. These ovals are available for junior football in winter.
footyman Tue, 28 Mar 2006 - 19:07
caseyscorp wrote:I recall moving into a new house, and lots needed to be done. It wasn't as established as other people's houses, and the garden needed to be planted and to grow. As well as that, over time, improvements were made to the house.
And if I'm selling a house, I don't put it on the market with walls half painted and stains all over the carpet. I polish it up and make sure it's presentable before people come in and take a look. That being said, the facility has the potential to be excellent, BUT if you open the thing up half done for the debut match in Round 4, people may be disappointed. [quote:bd8d0712a5="onslaught"] 2. No shade.. Very little cover at all. 4. No seating. I brought some fold out chairs (but I stand at the footy anyway) 7. A dust storm over the ground as soon as a single car past on the road nearby. It was pointed out that it wouldn't be a problem during winter. 8. Nothing to stop the wind. [/quote] The reason I didn't go - points 2 and 4. 32 degrees, no thanks. Point 7 - my car is still covered in dust from my trip there, someone with cash should open a carwash up the road on the way back to Melbourne, will make a fortune. Point 8 - a big issue that will ruin the standard of footy there until trees etc go up.