Thought it might be time to move this into its own thread..
With 23,800 odd supporters coming to this year's Grand Final, I believe it's time that we look at other venues for hosting the big day. Docklands just doesn't suit the feel of what this competition embodies.
If we draw crowds like that in successive years, then it might be time to look at some of the other venues around Melbourne.
Whitten Oval which will undergo a facilities upgrade may be an option as it has a good mix of seating and standing room.
Princes Park with a crowd of 23,000 would be packed and despite its run down state might be a good option.
North Port Oval in its current state has a capacity of about 12,000 by modern standards and would require major infrastructure upgrades to make it possible.
Junction Oval is still a long way off but maybe 10 years down the track this might be possible.
Etihad Stadium might remain as the preferred option of AFL Vic. But I'd implore them to open the roof. I know it's not ideal for cameras, but when the roof is open it feels much more like a real footy ground. Perhaps a twilight start where the lights eventually take over?
I think Windy Hill and Victoria Park are unlikely in their present state.
I'd love to hear others thoughts on the issue.
Most of the old afl grounds aren't really in a state to host it.
I went to windy hill this year. It wouldn't hold any more than Port (although it has more seats). A large part of the outer is just the fence is the fence.
Whitten oval would be good but, as part of their development are they doing anything in terms of spectators (like a fence)??
I haven't been to Princes park in years but I guess it would be the best option. How run down is it?
Vic park I understand isn't even fenced in.
What would be the capacity at Coburg? It's the only current VFL ground that seems bigger than Port for capacity. But is very run down.
I think junction oval will still be too small from what I've read.
I think Port is the most fun, but just not big enough now. Even with some modest improvements, how much could it hold by modern standards? There's just not much space. And the facilities were tested at the Doggies game.
What's Toorak Park like now? How many would it hold?
I suspect AFL Vic will stay at Etihad. The AFL clubs would want it there too. Unless they ever get around to building the long awaited "boutique stadium". I think that, unfortunately the AFL is obsessed with "new stuff". They could probably turn Princess Park into a good, 30,000 seater for, I guess 10-15 million but they'd much rather spend $200m on a new ground.
To me, the VFL is about standing (or sitting) on a terrace or a hill. Kicking the footy on the ground at quarter time/half time. Reasonably priced food and beer... And That's what it needs to be about. Etihad is the complete opposite of all that to me...
The VFL GF will be at the Docklands unless Junction Oval gets a major revamp which might be years if gets approval. Other venues have not got the crowd capacity. Whitten/Western Oval wou.d be good but is well short of the capacity.
Not sure why Princes park is out of favor ? Is it rundown ? I have been at the ground for a few years. What is the capacity of Princes Park ?
VFL GF will be at Docklands/Turd Dome in the next few years at least and probably beyond.
I think it's safe to say they will continue to use Etihad Stadium.
Only other option for me would be Simonds Stadium in Geelong. If Geelong, Werribee, Williamstown, Footscray or North Ballarat happen to make the Grand Final then the location isn't that bad. It's got the corporate facilities as well.
Melbourne just doesn't have a good 20,000-30,000 seat stadium for football since Princes Park was let go. Unfortunately it wouldn't be fit for a big crowd these days, they'd have to spend a lot of money to get it up to standard.
Toorak Park, around 12,000, 1979. Handy to trains, trams and buses.
Junction Oval -- footy finals on eve of cricket season?? Cricket people lessees would surely want lots of bikkies. Trams outside.
Princes Park -- dangerous rotting and splintered seats when I was last there. It would need a full oh&s upgrade to cater for any big crowd. If brought up to decent standard would be a good contender. Trams outside.
Windy Hill --seating has been let go to ruin. No proper scoreboard. No spectator access around south wing. Only one (1) permanent male toilet, with one urinal and one cubicle. Handy to trams and trains.
North Port -- too small, limited seating apart from grandstand, very little undercover. Handy to trams.
Box Hill -- most difficult ground for me to drive to. NO undercover at all. Limited seating. Trains at Laburnum.
Geelong ---aargh! I do not intend attending this horrible venue again. (See earlier posts by myself and others on Geelong's shithouse treatment of VFL supporters). I very much doubt if V/Line would provide any extra trains.
Coburg -- no undercover, limited seating. The advertising hoardings, if left in place around the ground, would limit capacity. Handy to trams and trains.
Footscray -- no opinion at this stage.
Of course, outer locations would require real considerations as to teams playing.
There should be no repeat of a final such as between Williamstown and North Ballarat being played at the remote Box Hill dump.
In reply to The VFL GF will be at the by vfa
VFA,
Cannot for the life of me work out why people do not like playing the VFL grand final at the Turd Dome.
Can you imagine that crowd of yesterday being able to enjoy a great game of footy at that standard being played anywhere else but in the BEST ground in the country.
Next you'll want the Melbourne Cup run at Pakenham.
Digs, I heard the Melbourne Cup is running at Dowling Forest in 2015.
Not a fan of Docklands but yesterdays GF was easily the best of the seven at the ground since 2008. If they can get a crowd of at least 20,000 with atmsophere like yesterday yes it feels like a GF. Yesterday was enjoyble with the 23,000 + crowd.
In reply to Digs, I heard the Melbourne by vfa
VFA,
Rumour has it that one of the early Caufield Cups was run in Ballarat ???
Whilst a lot of us are not big fans of the current arrangement I think we need the AFL clubs to bring the comp out in the open to at least get a little coverage from the AFL dominated media.
Went looking for you at the Great Western Sunday, nowhere to be found !!!
I wouldn't be so anti-Etihad if they would just open the roof. Let some fresh air in. Even night games with the roof open provide a better experience.
I was at the Great Western just after midday until 1.45pm
Adam, Pat, Willo, Mr and Mrs Blackrocker and a few others were there.
Yesterdays game was actually a good advertisement for the VFL.
In reply to vfa wrote:The VFL GF will be by digs
If they had kept Princes Park up to scratch, it would have been the perfect venue yesterday.