Adelaide Oval You should be so lucky

[Carn The Texan]

The worst stadium atmosphere wise is the MCG with 10,000 people there.
I think AO is a big step up over FP, but for me it lacks the spectator benefits that Docklands brings.

Sorry but in two sentences you've dropped two of the stalest takes I've seen on this site.

What kind of spectacle are you expecting at a ground at 10% capacity? I'm not going to even compare them at 10% capacity because in one instance you are describing 2012 GWS vs Melbourne (poor MCG crowd) and in the other instance you are describing 2015 GWS vs Melbourne (poor Docklands crowd). A non-event is a non-event wherever you hold it. At least the Melbourne fans can hang out in the members, which you won't find at Docklands.

As for AO vs Docklands you are living in a parallel universe if you think that Docklands offers a single spectator benefit over AO beyond "absence of any weather whatsoever". People in Melbourne hate Docklands with a passion, almost without exception. Anyone I've ever spoken to from Melbourne who has gone over to AO for a game has loved it.

 

[Fax]

Should change this to Port Adelaide you should be so lucky. Without it and massive handouts they would've folded.

 

[Slippery Pete]

Deadly serious. It’s way better than Docklands, and way better than the MCG (with the possible exception of when the MCG has 80k plus, altho a full AO is amazing). I genuinely think ppl don’t appreciate what an amazing stadium it is.

Which stadiums do you think are better?

Better than the MCG? That’s crazy talk.

 

[Fax]

If it wasn't for the Morton Bay Fig trees that northern end could be finished off, might only increase the capacity by about 5k but I think it would make a big difference overall. It would make our stadium the clear second best stadium in Australia IMO.

 

[Slime Roy]

I’m on the other side, best news I’ve heard all day, can’t stand balfours.

100%
Now we just need Coopers on Tap.
The 2 best in the land!

 

[Blue Red and Gold]

If it wasn't for the Morton Bay Fig trees that northern end could be finished off, might only increase the capacity by about 5k but I think it would make a big difference overall. It would make our stadium the clear second best stadium in Australia IMO.

I disagree, the northern end is unique, we don't need a stale concrete bowl, aesthetically its the best ground in the country by a mile.
Why would you want to lose that for an extra 5k seats? in a stadium that very rarely gets to capacity as it is.

 

[Fax]

I disagree, the northern end is unique, we don't need a stale concrete bowl, aesthetically its the best ground in the country by a mile.
Why would you want to lose that for an extra 5k seats? in a stadium that very rarely gets to capacity as it is.

I like the grass area of the northern end, what I'm talking about is having a stand somewhat behind all that, adjacent to the scoreboard. It would create an even better atmosphere. I think with more seats we would fill it and profit greatly from it. Port Adelaide wouldn't, which is another reason why it probably won't happen.

 

[arrowman]

The Moreton Bay figs will likely be getting to end of life in the next 20 years or so, so it might get interesting then...

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

If it wasn't for the Morton Bay Fig trees that northern end could be finished off, might only increase the capacity by about 5k but I think it would make a big difference overall. It would make our stadium the clear second best stadium in Australia IMO.

No, the Morton Bay Fig trees & our grassed Hill with the heritage scoreboard are what makes our Oval unique.

We can increase capacity by making the Western Stand the same height as the Eastern Stand is& slightly wider.

For now we don't really warrant increasing capacity though.

 

[glengowan]

I was under the impression the oval was entirely accessible from the upper levels stand to stand including to the hotel because isnt the hill of grace restaurant right near the hotel on the floor. I mean they wont want estimed sponsors and vip guests mingling with the commoners as much as possible.

Also im certain there is a stadium map online which shows this. If you had the correct tickets to access everything on that level, then im certain AO staff would help you get access on match day.

Yes, I think you are right. Eastern Stand is connected by the Bob Hank Bridge to the Riverbank Stand and then another bridge from Riverbank to Western Stand. Google Maps Streetview lets you walk through the various sections.

 

[Fax]

No, the Morton Bay Fig trees & our grassed Hill with the heritage scoreboard are what makes our Oval unique.

We can increase capacity by making the Western Stand the same height as the Eastern Stand is& slightly wider.

For now we don't really warrant increasing capacity though.

Zero chance that happens.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Zero chance that happens.

Increasing the Western Stand?

Not for a while as no need... but it has been discussed for when it needs replacing.

 

[Fax]

Increasing the Western Stand?

Not for a while as no need... but it has been discussed for when it needs replacing.It has been discussed

Discussed by whom?

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Discussed by whom?

In SACA circles.

But as I said before, there is no immediate need & current stand is fine.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Not sure why you find it do funny Fax

 

[Fax]

Not sure why you find it do funny Fax

I didn't realise you are someone on the inside. I will take your word for it

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

I didn't realise you are someone on the inside. I will take your word for it

Well you hear things when you are a SACA member... but as I said before there is unlikely to be any changes for sometime as no need. The Western Stand won't be replaced for a long time... but when it is, likely to be same height as Eastern Stand.

The Morton Bays & Scoreboard are absolutely going nowhere, so they will not be removed for a Northern Stand.

 

[Fax]

Well you hear things when you are a SACA member... but as I said before there is unlikely to be any changes for sometime as no need. The Western Stand won't be replaced for a long time... but when it is, likely to be same height as Eastern Stand.

The Morton Bays & Scoreboard are absolutely going nowhere, so they will not be removed for a Northern Stand.

Fair enough

 

[FR0GGY]

Probably be costly but you could fill in the gap from the western stand to the scoreboard for a few more thousand without touching the hill or figs.

 

[Fax]

Probably be costly but you could fill in the gap from the western stand to the scoreboard for a few more thousand without touching the hill or figs.

That's pretty much what I had in mind but sounds like it's a no go, which IMO is a shame.

 

[WeeBlake]

Better than the MCG? That’s crazy talk.

MCG doesn’t have much character and it’s an ugly concrete and steel bowl. It’s bleak when it’s less than half full and only really exciting when it’s heaving.

AO at a big match eg a showdown is every bit as full of atmosphere as a heaving mcg. Thread title has it exactly right.

 

[Dirty Bird]

Docklands!?!?!?! Better than Adelaide Oval!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I'm sorry but I've been to both venues a lot of times and the experience is much better at Adelaide Oval

I'm on the fence with this one.

I can see some advantages with both.

Bottom tier - I'd give Marvel the slight edge, better viewing, equal facilities
Middle tier - I'd give it a push. Marvel better seating, AO easier access to facilities (Yes, I realise Eastern Stand filters to lower tier)
Top tier - I'd give Adelaide Oval the slight edge. Equal viewing, better facilities.

 

[Dirty Bird]

I disagree, the northern end is unique, we don't need a stale concrete bowl, aesthetically its the best ground in the country by a mile.
Why would you want to lose that for an extra 5k seats? in a stadium that very rarely gets to capacity as it is.

This.
Look at American Football stadiums, Seattle, Atlanta, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Dallas, New England, Tampa Bay, Minnesota.
Some great stadiums where they have unique designs which make them stunning. All of which have a vastly smaller stand at the ends of the ground than the sides.

 

[Dirty Bird]

No, the Morton Bay Fig trees & our grassed Hill with the heritage scoreboard are what makes our Oval unique.

We can increase capacity by making the Western Stand the same height as the Eastern Stand is& slightly wider.

For now we don't really warrant increasing capacity though.

And more importantly, revenue, as the corporate facilities being duplicated would increase revenue quite a bit.