Clarifier: This post is not just because Roosters have lost recent matches there.
It also is not about the obnoxious treatment of visiting VFL team supporters attempting to see a so-called ‘curtain raiser’ to an AFL match.
While Geelong’s Kardinia Park stadium is probably quite okay for AFL matches, it is definitely now not suitable for VFL stand-alone matches. Spectators are now herded into one small, mainly unsheltered, area of this (considerably public-funded) stadium. Spectators are not allowed onto the playing arena at any time – before, during breaks or after match – unlike at VFL grounds. On Saturday 28/6, Footscray even had a rope, supported on spikes in the soil, forming a square around the ¼ time and ¾ time huddles. Who were they preventing from entering their space? Not even Footscray supporters could go near there.
Apart from the lack of any crowd, it was just like the stringent conditions imposed on patrons of AFL matches, but without a bag check. I’d reckon most VFL supporters prefer the relative freedom at proper VFL venues.
As for “crowd” on Saturday 28/6 – I estimate around 200 people, the vast majority being Bulldogs supporters. At least five security company people were present to staff the gate and to enforce the law.
I’m sure these security personnel and other staff were not volunteering their services, so I wonder just how Footscray could afford to play their ‘home’ game there.
With most (all?) Bulldog supporters getting in for free, and being generous with figures, $50 -$100 from paying Roosters members, the costs of using the ground would surely outstrip revenue from attendees. Beer and food sales, even if they were at AFL prices, could not have brought in a lot of revenue.
Was ground hire free?
Footscray playing at Geelong is not taking VFL to the “regions”.
