View Full Version : Heard a whisper recently.
scoreboardend
16 May 2002, 10:25
I heard a whisper recently which i took no notice of but now that the State Government has given the green light for a $101 million dollar revamp of the Royal Melbourne Show Grounds maybe the whisper has some credence. I know its been thown around by AFL clubs before but has anyone heard that the Bulldogs might be looking at the showgrounds as their home ground in the future? It was mentioned on radio last night that the ground is apparently the same size as the MCG.
TheSheik
16 May 2002, 10:55
The notion of having AFL teams playing at the showgrounds has been around for years, it was originally mooted that the Dogs would share it with the Bombers. Given that the AFL has spent a motza on building Colonial Stadium plus they have agreements in place with the clubs that play there, I doubt that anyone will be going anywhere.
scoreboardend
16 May 2002, 10:57
Originally posted by TheSheik
The notion of having AFL teams playing at the showgrounds has been around for years, it was originally mooted that the Dogs would share it with the Bombers. Given that the AFL has spent a motza on building Colonial Stadium plus they have agreements in place with the clubs that play there, I doubt that anyone will be going anywhere.
You`ve heard nothing at all around the club?
TheSheik
16 May 2002, 11:31
It won't happen, the Dogs will be playing out of Colonial for the near future. If they were to move at all, it would be to Princes Park or the MCG. It's all part of the ground rationalisation plan, there are only ever going to be three AFL venues in Melbourne.
scoreboardend
16 May 2002, 11:34
Originally posted by scoreboardend
You`ve heard nothing at all around the club?
Sheik, I take that as a no. ;)
Mr. Walker
16 May 2002, 16:31
Originally posted by TheSheik
It won't happen, the Dogs will be playing out of Colonial for the near future. If they were to move at all, it would be to Princes Park or the MCG. It's all part of the ground rationalisation plan, there are only ever going to be three AFL venues in Melbourne.
Three grounds in Melbourne?
1. MCG
2. Colonial
3. Showgrounds???????????
scoreboardend
16 May 2002, 16:53
In my opinion dont think we will or can last for long playing at Colonial and with the Showgrounds being revamped which will include the oval with the three main grandstands being replaced maybe the dogs should investigate the posibility.
TheSheik
16 May 2002, 17:38
Whilst I'm sure the playing surface would be brought up to scratch, I just don't think the Showgrounds will have the seating capacity for a sizeable crowd. I don't have any hard & fast numbers on it's current capacity but I think it would only be suitable for games against some of the interstate clubs.
I doubt very much whether the AFL would go for the idea either. If Colonial was not in existence, then that would be another matter.
scoreboardend
16 May 2002, 17:52
Originally posted by Mr. Walker
Three grounds in Melbourne?
1. MCG
2. Colonial
3. Showgrounds???????????
What do ya think Mr. Walker?;)
Originally posted by Mr. Walker
Three grounds in Melbourne?
1. MCG
2. Colonial
3. Showgrounds???????????
Considering no one, including Caaaaaaaarlton want to play out of Optus Oval, the Showgrounds would seem a viable option.
Either that or we could play on Elliott's nose, which of course is the same size as Waverley :p
Mr. Walker
17 May 2002, 11:32
Originally posted by scoreboardend
What do ya think Mr. Walker?;)
I don't think the showgrounds will become an AFL venue. It seems ideally suited to hosting WB and Essendon games but both teams are committed to colonial. The AFL also has a large stake in colonial and I could not see them downgrading that by letting their biggest drawcard, Essendon, go elsewhere. If the Sheik is right and the capacity of the showgrounds will be small it does not make sense for Essendon to go there.
Pessimistic
17 May 2002, 11:42
The article on the showgrounds said the main arena would be smaller to be suited to it's purpose ie agricultural shows.
It would be a good idea for Bulldogs and Kangas to get someone else to build a training/social facility for them - maybe somewhere at docklands ?
scoreboardend
17 May 2002, 11:46
Originally posted by Mr. Walker
It seems ideally suited to hosting WB and Essendon games but both teams are committed to colonial.
Stuff Essendon what about Nth. Melbourne who struggle to get crowds and will not meet the breakeven figue at Colonial the same as us. Arden Street is closer to us than Windy Hill.
Mr. Walker
17 May 2002, 11:51
Originally posted by scoreboardend
Stuff Essendon what about Nth. Melbourne who struggle to get crowds and will not meet the breakeven figue at Colonial the same as us. Arden Street is closer to us than Windy Hill.
I thought that the venue would need to have one big drawing team to make it viable.
I have said on another thread that I have been concerned for at least 5 years about our inability to draw large crowds (admittedly at Optus) even when we were winning every week.
The problem with sharing a venue with North Melbourne is that if their supporter gets the flu one week there would be no-one there, and who will bankroll a loss making venture? I assume Warrick Fairfax and Alan bond are not available any more.