Colonial Stadium. Is it really that bad?

[GoodOldCollingwoodForever]

I've heard a lot of beat-up in the media about how crap CS is, but never been there myself. Is it as bad as all the papers say it is? People who have actually been there (or tried) would be appreciated.

 

[sandie]

I went to the Essendon v Bulldogs game in April, I thought it was a fantastic stadium, the view is brilliant. The only thing I don't understand is why they didn't make it to hold a bigger capacity, like 80,000.

------------------
Mantis

 

[Tealmeister]

The ground's fantastic once you get in there.

 

[elglen]

It's an okay ground. I didn't think it was as good as the afl would like us to believe, nor is it as bad as some people say. One of the things I didn't like was how americanised it was. I also thought there was a lack of real atmosphere (This was the North Melbourne vs Geelong game mind you) On the plus side, the view is pretty good, and the seats give you more room and were perhaps more comfortable than the ones at the mcg. I really think it should have been made bigger though, because 50,000 really is not big enough for some of the games played there (although I know, they still haven't had a real sellout yet).

 

[gocatsgo]

As an AFL member and a Geelong member, I have had the pleasure of going to CS a number of times.

I have experienced no problems what-so-ever.

I saw Essendon V Port Power (the first game) in a seat on level one right on the wing, St'Kilda V Sydney (Also round one) in a similar position, Geelong V Kangaroos also on level one on the wing and Geelong V Richmond, the opposite side of the ground but once again level one on the wing.

The problems with CS are directly related to old fashion football supporters who like to turn up on the day and purchase their tickets as they walk in, fortunately, I had pre-purchased my tickets before I went to the games and experienced no problems at all.

Despite me heaping praise on it, their are some problems that should have been sorted out before the ground was built.

1. It is too small (the ground that is), it's like watching a game at the SCG, there is no room for players to move, this could be even a contributing factor as to why StKilda are struggling, coming off Waverley to Colonial.

2. Some seat you can't see the ground, because you are looking behind the concrete scoreboard, I have been for a few walks around the ground and sat in these seats.

3. The second level has to be opened up to the public, they are best seats in the house, one side is reserved for the medallian club, so that understandable, but the other side (the one you see on TV) is always empty because people can't afford to pay for those seats. Often it is full on the top level and the bottom level but is empty in the middle.

Ian Collins has made the right move by opening up the top level to the public, but the second level should also be opened up. Level one should remain reserved seating if people wish to pay for it.

 

[sainter]

Where were your seats located gocatsgo? I didn't seem to catch it.

Overall I am pretty happy with the ground. Once some of these so-called 'teething problems' are sorted out, it could prove to be a very good venue.

In regards to the ground only holding 52 000 people, I do not have a problem with that providing that the supporters of the competing clubs will both fit into the ground. Don't have to be a genius to realise which teams do/don't fit.

 

[gocatsgo]

Sainter, they were on the wing. Bloody good seat that too!

 

[sainter]

Home again after another loss.
But whats new!
It is easier to accept when you are a saints fan.

Despite another farcical situation where the roof was half closed for the first half because of a technical difficulty, tonight was a classic example of why Colonial Stadium will be a great venue.

A crowd of just over 38000 were able to witness (apart from poor goal kicking) a great game of football. There seemed to be very little difficulty for people entering the ground and the atmosphere, as there will be when there are large amounts of supporters from TWO clubs, was unbelievable.

Can't wait until next weeks blockbuster against the Power!

 

[gocatsgo]

I'd be hoping the blockbuster against the power would come around quick too.

You never know, for what I saw of them, you might win that one! especially with their form at Colonial this year.

 

[sainter]

Thanks gocatsgo, I think.

"You never know, for what I saw of them, you might win that one!"

I don't think we are the basket case that you obviously seem to think. I have been very encouraged with the form of our guys and they have really been putting in. I would think apart from Essendon, Carlton are the form side of the competition and it took them 3.5 quarters to pull away.

If Barry Hall had kicked straighter and we didn't hit the post 5 times, mostly in the first half, we could have won.

I'd be a little concerned about your current position too. Two disappointing losses, a match you should have lost last night, and then an appointment against Essendon.

 

[gocatsgo]

Our form isn't exactly setting the world on fire at the moment, but we'll be right in there come August, (doesn't that sound stupid)

I'd rather lose form at this time of year, than lose form when we're fighting for a spot in the 8.

The Crows showed Essendon up for 2.5 qtrs and remeber we beat the Crows in Adelaide.

Essendon are beatable, who knows, Geelong might be the side to do it, we have to get some points out of Colonial don't we?

As Mark Thompson said "we're going into the game confident, and who knows we might just beat them"

 

[Daniel]

Essendon by 10 goals.

The Crows played superbly for almost three quarters against the Bombers and were still rolled by 8 goals, although Adelaide has an unhappy knack of folding like that in recent times. Adelaide are playing like a different side to the one Geelong beat in Round whenever-it-was, though, in a game where I had never seen Adelaide get so close playing so badly.

I feel a bit sorry for the Cats and the way they tend to slump. I do hope they come good again for their supporters' sakes, but it isn't looking likely at this point in time against a side I now reckon could be unbeatable, at least until the preliminary final.

 

[colley31]

Sainter,

Keep you chin up, ever since the North game, you've been very competitive and especially over the past two weeks you have been very unlucky to lose. You are a much better team than the Power and will win your first game tomorrow night.

 

[sainter]

Thanks Colley

I hope you are right. This has not been one of my favourite seasons to date.

Unfortunately I think my bad mood has contributed to some of my cynical posts over the past few weeks.

Good luck to your side too. It will be good for the roos to see where they are at against a form side like Carlton.

North by less than 2 goals in a great game.

 

[The Dutchman!]

Been getting them wrong all year but here goes:

- Richmond v Hawthorn: My match of the round - too hard to pick without the teams - but no Ottens and no Hay makes it interesting... any thoughts?

-Collingwood by a goal in a great game at Colonial after 5 straight losses (but only if Paul Williams plays). Scotty to kick 8 in a losing side against the small backline.

-North by 5 goals (Carlton have beaten bottom half teams and are over-rated). Brown to go for six months for headbutting Calthorpe in his comeback match.

-Sainters by 2 points in a surprising entertaining and skilled encounter.

-Essendon by 3-4 goals but only after a enormous first qutr (5-8 goal lead at qrt time with Ess having something to prove this week) which is wittled away by a gallant Cat combination all day.

- Melbourne by 1 point in a classic at Perochial Park (only cos Adelaide are shattered by the loss of Rehn)

- Fremantle draw with the Dogs in a ripper (Freo decide to play this week but the Dogs won't lay down (or is that play dead?))

- Bris v Sydney: who knows?

Tough round to pick or what????

 

[Daniel]

It's a tough one, all right. I haven't picked a loser in two weeks so, with my head continuing to swell, I've answered your selections:

Richmond v Hawthorn: The Hawks have lost some of their talls but were impressive prior to last week's tough game in the West. I've been burnt a couple of times not picking Hawthorn earlier in the season and despite Richmond's improved showings I don't believe they are a quality side...Hawks by 2 or 3 goals.

Coll. v West Coast: Sooner or later the Eagles, a decent side, will put it together on the road. Against a fading Collingwood, who seem to have lost their inspiration, this should be the week.

Carlton v Kangas: This is my match of the round. Carlton appear to have shaken off their inconsistency and will be playing on their best ground, and the Roos aren't as good as last year. But they are still that bit better than the Blues.

Essendon v Geelong: Bombers to continue their march to a 22-0 record by defeating Geelong by 10 goals, in an unfair reflection of Geelong's good work at various stages.

Adelaide v Melbourne: Crows by 13 points after finally putting together a solid effort throughout most of the four quarters against the tenacious Demons.

Freo v Bulldogs: Dogs have rediscovered their bark and won't want to face the tyrannical Wallace if they don't maintain their intensity.

Sydney v Brisbane: Lions to kick straight and win because Sydney have not played a really good game for a long time now. Swans can just about be written off but not the Lions..

St.Kilda v Port in an hour or so: St. Kilda are far from the worst side to be winless after almost half a season and at times Port aren't terribly far from a rabble. Saints to capitalise on Port's skill errors in a big relief for the club.