In 2002 the ground was contracted to host 9 matches. In 2002 Carlton only played 4 home matches at Optus and flirted with Etihad by playing 4 home games there. This meant that the Bulldogs, Melbourne and North played home games at Optus to make up the difference and unfortunately the crowds were atrocious and some drew less than 10k from memory. People just aren't willing to venture away from the CBD to watch footy matches anymore.
Yeah because everyone comes from the CBD or wants to go there Have you seen the traffic and rail after an Etihad game?
Optus needed work to make it appealing.
As it was, hard to go there by car OR public transport.
Both of those could have been addressed. Eastlink opens up the Eastern Freeway on one side, whilst the road networks out the other side are much better than they were. But some sort of parking facilities are required. Also improved pedestrian access from the Stadium to Parkville station.