Having been there today, I was very impressed with the size of the crowd. Terriric effort considering we all knew the rain was going to fall. I'd like to know a crowd figure. Also good of FV to hand out free ponchos as well, nice effort.
Did get me wondering though, I don't think TEAC is where I want the Grand Final to be played. Today was a comfortable crowd, but the queues for food were still rediculous at half time, there isn't a stack of toliet facilities, if it rains the place isn't that great if we are talking a crowd of 8,000-10,000 people. We also saw two radio stations calling the game from the grandstand, which is probably not ideal and I dare say Grand Final corporate sort of things take place which need decent facilities.
Not to mention the TEAC Oval ground annoucer...
If Optus Oval is a fizzer next week, which I hope it isn't, then I guess the Grand Final venue will be the topic of discussion again.
Can you see TEAC Oval hosting a Grand Final in 2006?
Despite the problems you have mentioned Footyman, I'd still rate it as a better finals vernue than Optus Oval.
Regarding facilites for broadcasting, food kiosks, toilets...
Well there are three lots of toilets, one at the Williamstown Rd end, one at the scoreboard, and one at the Williamstown Road end. At a pinch you could put a couple of portable toilets in between the Ingles St Wing and the timeclock grassy hill.
Last I heard, the scoreboard area is due to be redeveloped that would be ideal for hosting additional media that start following the VFL during the finals... Not sure when that is due to happen though.
There used to be 4and20 and Coca Cola kiosks that would pop up in several places around the ground. They could be used again (assuming they are still available). Not sure what facilites are like under the current grandstand.
I would prefer North Port to Optus any day.Its better to have some atmosphere rather than a quarter full ex AFL ground.
I was in the rain at Port on Saturday 10/9 watching Roosters beat Tigers.
The ground needs more covered areas and better embankments particularly near time clock, where ground slopes away from arena fence.
As for ground announcer...