So, I've been down in dandenong for work for a couple of days. I took the time I have a look at the old Dandenong and Springvale ovals. I'd never been to either of them.
They both looked like nice venues that could still hold a VFL game, good surfaces. Low crowd capacities even by VFL standards, but enough. It's a shame they don't have a side down in the south east any more.
Dandenong's Shepley Oval last had VFL matches in 2004---8 Matches.
Springvale Reserve had 8 matches in 2005.
Who was playing at dandenong in 2004?
In reply to Who was playing at dandenong by Heath_eld
Springvale.
The Saturday 22 May match was Springvale v North Ballarat, won by North Ballarat. It was ABCtv match where commentators asked St Kilda/Springvale player Leigh Montagna how his name was pronounced. Mon-tag-na.
So springvale, moved away from springvale in 04, back in 05 then away again? Or at least for a significant number of games?
Its an absolute disgrace that teams like Dandenong ,Oakleigh and Springvale are not represented in their own cities by senior teams.Both Dandenong and Oakleigh did get big crowds when they were winning in the VFA.
Does dandenong still exist? It went bust didn't it?
Dandenong, Prahran and Oakleigh all last played in the 1994 VFA season. Ken Gannon was the one that got rid of these proud VFA clubs and formed the idiotic Dandenong Stingrays, Prahran Dragons and Oakleigh Chargers. Dandenong Stingrays was throwing out Dandenong memorabilia but luckily it was saved where Kevin Shinners has set up a redlegs historical display.
Prahran exists courtesy of a name change. In the VAFA you had a team called State Bank and Commonwealth Bank who merged and was called Southbank. Prahran still traded but did not have any senior teams. They got themselves out of debt then forged a partnership with Southbank to be rebranded Prahran. In recent years they added the name Assumption. Next month they are having a luncheon open mike style with Sammy Kekovich hosting it. I will send the link.
Oakleigh recently had a past players reunion which I think was their first since they folded.
Weren't they all broke though? I don't know much about prahran but I thought dandenong went broke, then restarted then went broke again? Very sad either way. It's interesting the way there is so little support for second tier sport in Australia, as opposed to some other places. I guess springvale at least still exist in a very different form.
The dandenong train line is a ride through VFA history: you also pass caulfield, campberwell, oakleigh, Toorak.
Dandenong were broke and rebranded Dandenong Redlegs. The three clubs could have gone around again in 1995 and beyond if it wasn't for Ken Gannon.
The Dandenong line you would pass Prahran's Toorak Park which is a 5 minute walk from Toorak Station.
Caulfield's Princess Park is a bit of a walk and you could also walk from Glenhuntly Station.
Oakleigh's Warrawee Park 5 minute walk from Oakleigh Station.
Springvale's Newcomen Reserve is also a 5 minute walk.
Dandenong's original ground was the old Dandenong Showgrounds.
Shepley Oval being maybe a 15 minute walk.
The Frankston line you had Mordialloc's Ben Kavanagh Reserve maybe 10 minute walk from Mordialloc.
Moorabbin played at Cheltenham then Moorabbin from 51 to 63 then when it reformed Moorabbin, McKinnon and Bentleigh between 83 and 87.
Finally Frankston Oval would be a 15 minute walk from Frankston Station.
Heath_eld some of the old VFA recorders use to advertise each ground and the nearest railway station.
I have good memories catching the old red rattlers on a Sunday venturing to VFA grounds all over the suburbs. Those were the days.
In reply to So springvale, moved away by Heath_eld
Springvale were nomads for quite a while. They played al their home games at Waverley in 2000 if I recall correctly, they did have a stint at Shepley Oval but not sure where else they played once Waverley was shut down. Newcomen Rd, their traditional home ground wasn't considered fit for VFL footy however with the promise of Casey Fields coming they were allowed to return to their traditional home for one final season as Springvale in 2005.