AFL/VFL Stadium timeline

[Silent Alarm]

So I've had a bit of confusion in regard to grounds.

When did certain clubs play at a certain ground? How long for? When did certain stadiums become defunct? And when were others opened or majorly redeveloped.

Any information is helpful. I'll continually edit this post to create a cohesive history.

 

[Araluenian]

I wrote about 2 Pages in reply, and then lost it. Here it is again, then.

All Grounds only in that Club's VFL Era
All "Exotics" such as Darwin, Canberra, and Tasmania, only mentioned as the Club currently playing there.
With the exception of the Western Bulldogs and Grand Finals, Ground Changes during World War II are not mentioned.
First up, Melburnian Clubs (Geelong not included). Then, Non-Melburnian Clubs, then Former Clubs and Grand Finals
NOTE: "Some" equals more than 2 Matches per Season. "Minor" equals 1 or 2 Matches per Season.

MELBOURNE: Always MCG (minor Etihad since 2000, minor Darwin since 2007)
HAWTHORN: Glenferrie Road until 1973, Optus Oval 1974-1991, Waverley 1992-1999, MCG since (some Launceston since 2001)
RICHMOND: Punt Road until 1964, MCG since (minor Etihad since 2000, minor Cairns since 2011)
COLLINGWOOD: Victoria Park until 1999, MCG since (minor Etihad since 2000)
CARLTON: Optus Oval until 2005 (sigh), MCG and Etihad since (mainly Etihad, some matches at MCG in late Optus Oval era)
ESSENDON: East Melbourne until 1921, Windy Hill 1922-1991, MCG 1992-1999 (some Waverley in late Windy Hill era, still some MCG), mainly Etihad since 2000
ST KILDA: Junction Oval until 1964, Moorabbin 1965-1991, (some Waverley in late Moorabbin era) 1992-1999, Etihad since (minor MCG since 2000)
NORTH MELBOURNE: Arden Street until 1985, MCG 1986-2002 (some MCG until 2011), Etihad since 2003 (minor Hobart since 2012)
WESTERN BULLDOGS: Whitten Oval (except Yarraville 1942) until 1996, Optus Oval 1997-1999, Etihad since (minor Darwin since 2008)

END OF PART 1

 

[Araluenian]

START OF PART 2

Non-Melburnian Clubs
Both West Australian Clubs always used mainly Subiaco Oval

GEELONG: Corio Oval until 1941, Kardinia Park since, (minor Etihad since about 2002, minor MCG since about 1995)
ADELAIDE: Football Park since 1991
PORT ADELAIDE: Ditto, played at Alberton as SANFL Club
WEST COAST EAGLES: WACA Ground 1987-2000, Subiaco Oval 1987-
FREMANTLE: WACA Ground 1995-2000, Subiaco Oval 1995-
BRISBANE LIONS: The Gabba 1997-
GOLD COAST SUNS: Carrara 2011-
SYDNEY SWANS: SCG 1982- (some Olympic Stadium 2002-2011, downgraded to minor 2012-)
GWS GIANTS: Sydney Showground 2012- (some Manuka 2012-, minor Blacktown 2012-, minor Olympic Stadium 2012-)

END OF PART 2

 

[Araluenian]

START OF PART 3

FORMER CLUBS AND GRAND FINALS

Note that the Grand Final did not occur in 1897 (though the decider was at the MCG).

BRISBANE BEARS: Carrara 1987-1992, The Gabba 1993-1996 (some The Gabba 1991-2)
FITZROY: Brunswick Street until 1966, Optus Oval 1967-1969, Junction Oval 1970-1984, Victoria Park 1985-6, Optus Oval 1987-1993, Whitten Oval 1994-1996
SOUTH MELBOURNE: Lake Oval until 1981
MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY: East Melbourne 1908-1910, MCG 1911-1914
GRAND FINALS: Junction Oval 1898-9, East Melbourne 1900, Lake Oval 1901, MCG 1902- 1941, Optus Oval 1942-3, Junction Oval 1944, MCG 1945-1990, Waverley 1991, MCG 1992-

As always, I am open to correction, clarification, and addition.
Regards,
Araluenian.

END OF PART 3

END OF SUMMARY

 

[Silent Alarm]

Awesome list. Thanks for that. I might make that into a graphic timeline later on.

What was the split like between Subi and the WACA? Although I remember the ground hosting footy games, I wasn't old enough to understand why. Was it a random thing? Or was it used for smaller fixtures? What did the footy-going population think of it?

 

[eskabah]

Subiaco didn't have lights until 2000, they used the WACA for night games, once Subiaco installed lights, there was no need to play at the WACA.

 

[millsy29gopies]

Collingwood moved fully to the MCG in 1992, minor games at Vic Park until 1999, when there was only 2 games played there all season. Etihad took over as minor in 2000.

 

[SJ]

START OF PART 2

Non-Melburnian Clubs
Both West Australian Clubs always used mainly Subiaco Oval

GEELONG: Corio Oval until 1941, Kardinia Park since, (minor Etihad since about 2002, minor MCG since about 1995)
ADELAIDE: Football Park since 1991
PORT ADELAIDE: Ditto, played at Alberton as SANFL Club
WEST COAST EAGLES: WACA Ground 1987-2000, Subiaco Oval 1987-
FREMANTLE: WACA Ground 1995-2000, Subiaco Oval 1995-
BRISBANE LIONS: The Gabba 1997-
GOLD COAST SUNS: Carrara 2011-
SYDNEY SWANS: SCG 1982- (some Olympic Stadium 2002-2011, downgraded to minor 2012-)
GWS GIANTS: Sydney Showground 2012- (some Manuka 2012-, minor Blacktown 2012-, minor Olympic Stadium 2012-)

END OF PART 2

Docklands (Minor 2000-present)
MCG (Minor 1989-present)
Waverley Park (Minor 1970-1994)
SCG (One-off games 1903, 1981)
Brisbane Exhibition (One-off game 1952).

 

[McCrann]

START OF PART 2

Non-Melburnian Clubs
Both West Australian Clubs always used mainly Subiaco Oval

GEELONG: Corio Oval until 1941, Kardinia Park since, (minor Etihad since about 2002, minor MCG since about 1995)
ADELAIDE: Football Park since 1991
PORT ADELAIDE: Ditto, played at Alberton as SANFL Club
WEST COAST EAGLES: WACA Ground 1987-2000, Subiaco Oval 1987-
FREMANTLE: WACA Ground 1995-2000, Subiaco Oval 1995-
BRISBANE LIONS: The Gabba 1997-
GOLD COAST SUNS: Carrara 2011-
SYDNEY SWANS: SCG 1982- (some Olympic Stadium 2002-2011, downgraded to minor 2012-)
GWS GIANTS: Sydney Showground 2012- (some Manuka 2012-, minor Blacktown 2012-, minor Olympic Stadium 2012-)

END OF PART 2

Looks good - and yet for GWS - they are (of course you're aware) yet to play a true home game at Sydney Showgrounds as yet!

 

[McCrann]

Docklands (Minor 2000-present)
MCG (Minor 1989-present)
Waverley Park (Minor 1970-1994)
SCG (One-off games 1903, 1981)
Brisbane Exhibition (One-off game 1952).

You make a fair point, all Victorian clubs played home games at Waverley during the time it was used.

Usually big games to cater for the bigger crowd.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Yep, Waverley was a funny one from its inception so a little hard to fit neatly into a timeline. All clubs had large-drawing home games transferred there.

Also, many of the Vic clubs’ shifts to the MCG were in stages, they played a declining number of home games at their suburban grounds for a number of years.

The demise of the true home ground… the most regrettable aspect of the league’s transformation imo.

 

[Underarm]

Yep, Waverley was a funny one from its inception so a little hard to fit neatly into a timeline. All clubs had large-drawing home games transferred there.

Also, many of the Vic clubs’ shifts to the MCG were in stages, they played a declining number of home games at their suburban grounds for a number of years.

The demise of the true home ground… the most regrettable aspect of the league’s transformation imo.

regrettable, perhaps. but still pretty important IMO to get the AFL where it is today.
with only Melbourne playing home games at the MCG, would you be happy with only 30k getting into a match with Collingwood? would be nuts.

Its what makes our game unique. In england they have a tonne of 30k stadiums around the place for Soccer, most of which are within easy driving distance of each other. Chelsea and liverpool both play in big stadiums 30 minutes drive from Wembley! so bizzare.

AFL's team locations in their name mean nothing anymore, as evidenced by Pies moving into Richmond, saints into Frankston ect. people come from every where to see their team play.

 

[jethro11]

Its what makes our game unique. In england they have a tonne of 30k stadiums around the place for Soccer, most of which are within easy driving distance of each other. Chelsea and liverpool both play in big stadiums 30 minutes drive from Wembley! so bizzare.

Anfield is a bit further than 30 minutes from wembley

 

[Luigi742]

Its what makes our game unique. In england they have a tonne of 30k stadiums around the place for Soccer, most of which are within easy driving distance of each other. Chelsea and liverpool both play in big stadiums 30 minutes drive from Wembley! so bizzare.

so many teams to choose from (west ham, tottenham, arsenal, qpr, fulham, milwall and so many more) and you couldn't be more wrong.

 

[joe444]

Yep, Waverley was a funny one from its inception so a little hard to fit neatly into a timeline. All clubs had large-drawing home games transferred there.
The demise of the true home ground… the most regrettable aspect of the league’s transformation imo.

1. Not really - the draw was often quite random as to which matches got scheduled at VFL Park, as every team had to play their at least twice.

2. Demise of the home ground? Not for my team

 

[Mr Ripper]

Subiaco didn't have lights until 2000, they used the WACA for night games, once Subiaco installed lights, there was no need to play at the WACA.

Subi had lights installed for 1997 (first night match was vs. Sydney in round 1 of that season), but the WACA contract overlapped so they played on at the ground for another couple of years. I think.

 

[Underarm]

Anfield is a bit further than 30 minutes from wembley

so many teams to choose from (west ham, tottenham, arsenal, qpr, fulham, milwall and so many more) and you couldn't be more wrong.

yeah dunno what i was thinking, wrote the wrong team down....Arsenal was what I was thinking of I think.

Point still stands.

 

[Araluenian]

McCrann, I don't usually make assumptions, but, unless a freak accident during the Easter Show (possibly during the Fireworks Display) occurs, that GWS will play at the Showgrounds (or Skoda Stadium as they are now referring to it in an act of shameless commercialism) from this year is one assumption that I'm more than happy to make.

 

[Professor Knowall]

...All Grounds only in that Club's VFL Era
All "Exotics" such as Darwin, Canberra, and Tasmania, only mentioned as the Club currently playing there.
... NORTH MELBOURNE: Arden Street until 1985, MCG 1986-2002 (some MCG until 2011), Etihad since 2003 (minor Hobart since 2012) ...

Add to this list Coburg Oval for 1965 - North played at Coburg for all home games because of a ground rent dispute with Melbourne City Council. They returned to Arden St in 1966.

 

[newcs]

I'm not sure how far you want to go back, but prior to 1878 Geelong played their games at Argyle Square (was also called Argyle Paddock) In 1878 they supposedly got kicked out for not paying the rent, they then moved to Corio Oval.
Those that know the approximate location of Argyle Square would realise how sloping that ground must have been, would have been very interesting to play on.

 

[Silent Alarm]

I'm going to get started on this after I knock off some uni stuff. Should be up by next week.

 

[rodney86]

St Kilda also used Toorak Park as their home ground in 1942-43.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

regrettable, perhaps. but still pretty important IMO to get the AFL where it is today.
with only Melbourne playing home games at the MCG, would you be happy with only 30k getting into a match with Collingwood? would be nuts.

Its what makes our game unique. In england they have a tonne of 30k stadiums around the place for Soccer, most of which are within easy driving distance of each other. Chelsea and liverpool both play in big stadiums 30 minutes drive from Wembley! so bizzare.

AFL's team locations in their name mean nothing anymore, as evidenced by Pies moving into Richmond, saints into Frankston ect. people come from every where to see their team play.

Yeah… I dunno. I don’t mind the English culture of true home and away.

What we have in Melbourne is a culture of supporters having a right to attend their team’s away matches. I think that makes a big difference.

Take that away, a few of the big clubs probably need 50k stadiums, the others not really.

The other thing people forget, after MCC and AFL members, the G is only a 50k seat stadium.

Guess the other difference is the clubs own or lease and operate their own stadium, they don’t rely so much on public money. The Government wouldn’t be building stadiums all over the place.

It would be a little funny over there, can imagine Arsenal and Tottenham being asked to share a stadium.

I think it may be have even been briefly floated a little while back for Liverpool and Everton, who are literally next door to each other and who both could do with a new home. Shouted down very quickly!

 

[pazza]

Essendon played some home games at Princes Park too in the 1990's as part of the MCG move.

 

[stmookeyj]

Subiaco didn't have lights until 2000, they used the WACA for night games, once Subiaco installed lights, there was no need to play at the WACA.

It was actually 1997 that Subi got lights, and games were played at both venues because of contractual arrangements with the WACA and restrictions (12 uses TOTAL for all sports) at Subiaco.