Western Bulldogs and their partnership with Ballarat a success

[Ratdweller]

Photos taken at 6.10 am this morning and this afternoon:

 

[Plantos]

Photos taken at 6.10 am this morning and this afternoon:

View attachment 2523420

View attachment 2523416

View attachment 2523418

Looks great. Finished product will be pure.
Do we find it odd that the Dogs aren't one of the teams playing a pre-season match at Mars? Especially considering they're not playing H&A games there in 2026?

 

[Ratdweller]

Looks great. Finished product will be pure.
Do we find it odd that the Dogs aren't one of the teams playing a pre-season match at Mars? Especially considering they're not playing H&A games there in 2026?

It's perhaps good that the Doggies aren't playing there because capacity is still limited to just 5000. It gives us a chance to play our pre-season game at WO. After all all that money spent at WO redveloping it shouldn't be wasted.

 

[Ratdweller]

Photos taken at Mars this afternoon:

This photo shows that the internal lining of the 1st Stands roof is almost fitted with speakers at the front and lights across the centre. At the fronto of the roof they are installing the framing for the glass panels.



The next image shows a brickie laying the Waddawurrung people's artwork themed patterns into the brickwork.



The rear internal and external lining is being fitted to the roof.



The space between Gate 2 and the new stands.



A team of brick layers will cover the rear walls with themed brickwork. A similar pattern will adorn the rear of the new scoreboard.

 

[Plantos]

Photos taken at Mars this afternoon:

This photo shows that the internal lining of the 1st Stands roof is almost fitted with speakers at the front and lights across the centre. At the fronto of the roof they are installing the framing for the glass panels.

View attachment 2529539

The next image shows a brickie laying the Waddawurrung people's artwork themed patterns into the brickwork.

View attachment 2529540

The rear internal and external lining is being fitted to the roof.

View attachment 2529542

The space between Gate 2 and the new stands.

View attachment 2530130

A team of brick layers will cover the rear walls with themed brickwork. A similar pattern will adorn the rear of the new scoreboard.

View attachment 2529544

That's awesome thanks for the pics!

When this construction is complete, I wonder where people think the best spot will be to sit and watch the footy? Will it be in the new stands close to the brand new amenities, or will it be on the other side so you get the nice view of looking at the new stands? Will it be up close to the action behind the goals, or will it be standing on the new and improved standing mound behind the other goals?

 

[Ratdweller]

Mars Stadium yesterday readying for the three games this weekend:

The view from Whitelaw Avenue back gate.


View from the back row of the existing Western Stand


The oval is looking pristine.


Meanwhile next door at the athletic build:



View between the athletics track and the Southern edge of the stadium.


The grass is down and asphalt laid ready for the track to be layed over the top. The athletics pavilions and sheds are kind of obsquired from view. They have the poles for the new lights laying on the other side of the track. The grass on the centre of the track was layed last week.


Light Tower No 2 from Mars Stadium with its lights removed has been stored at the western end of the site since March last year. I am not sure what the plan is for the lighting. But the tower will go back once works on the stands are completed. I am not sure if they will put the old Metal halide lamps back on or whether they will upgrade with LEDs.

 

[Ratdweller]

Video of Mars last night after the North v Collingwood game. Note this was with three light towers working, the fourth is still layed up. The cleaners were cleaning up and emptying bins. I really could have walked anywhere. I also noticed that two of the new light towers at the athletic centre are up. They are smaller than the ones at Mars but feature much more modern LEDs.

View attachment Mars Stadium 01-03-2026.mp4

 

[Ratdweller]

A video from four weeks ago before solar panels were installed along the front of the roofs conveys an idea of scale. Brickwork has finished behind the stands and rooms underneath are getting fit outs. The finishing touches are being applied to both roofs now. The concrete footings have been laid for the new scoreboard which will sit director behind the South West goal end. The old scoreboard is currently being erected at the South East end of the new athletics track. A lot of works have mainly focussed on the athletics centre more recently while most major works at the stadium have been put in place. The new pre-fabricated seating rows for the front of the new stands are yet to be installed subject to final completion of the roofs. Once they are in place, works to finish the new standing terrace can be completed.


View attachment 1000002704.webm


View attachment Video Project 15.mp4

 

[Plantos]

A video from four weeks ago before solar panels were installed along the front of the roofs conveys an idea of scale. Brickwork has finished behind the stands and rooms underneath are getting fit outs. The finishing touches are being applied to both roofs now. The concrete footings have been laid for the new scoreboard which will sit director behind the South West goal end. The old scoreboard is currently being erected at the South East end of the new athletics track. A lot of works have mainly focussed on the athletics centre more recently while most major works at the stadium have been put in place. The new pre-fabricated seating rows for the front of the new stands are yet to be installed subject to final completion of the roofs. Once they are in place, works to finish the new standing terrace can be completed.


View attachment 2573845


View attachment 2576485

View attachment 2574165

Terrific drone footage!
Would be great to see the broadcasters use similar drone footage on match day when construction is complete. Really gives a great perspective.