MCG needs to increase capacity

[VicPark Bitter]

Yeah, the AFL doesn’t need that $50m+ annual revenue coming out of AFL membership anyway.

i thought the AFL was a not for profit organisation?
wasn't Gilligan banging on about the fans not too long ago?

 

[pebblestone]

Take the AFL grand final off the MCG and watch how the 30 year MCC wait instantly disappears.

+1 for giving club supporters 1st dibs for AFL Finals. Was at the 2015 GF and it’s so bizarre watching 7 or 8 full blocks just sit quietly the whole match.

I don't get your argument. The 30 year wait for membership is precisely the reason that MCC members should and do get priority access. Oh, and the subs they pay every year.

 

[HTT]

1) isn't that because most tix go to corporates and supporter sets get under 10k each? yes

2) ??? what does this mean? they are all playing finals

3) attendances are not at a record high, i went to the G for a Collingwood home game just weeks ago, they didn't even fill it half way, looked pathetic

If you're using a Collingwood vs Port game as a reason why attendances are not at record levels, well then there's your problem.

 

[kranky al]

If you're using a Collingwood vs Port game as a reason why attendances are not at record levels, well then there's your problem.

Eagles vs port at optus looked pretty full to me.

 

[HTT]

Eagles vs port at optus looked pretty full to me.

Good, attendances are clearly at record high

 

[MrPenguin]

Make it a little bigger and sign it up for the GF till 2130 I reckon.

 

[davis_756]

Replace Eithad with a new stadium slightly bigger then the MCG, hold the grand final there from that point onwards.

The free space generated by not having those MCC tossers plus the added capacity would get an extra 30k+ actual supporters into the games.

 

[JohnZ]

Replace Eithad with a new stadium slightly bigger then the MCG, hold the grand final there from that point onwards.

The free space generated by not having those MCC tossers plus the added capacity would get an extra 30k+ actual supporters into the games.

The VFL tried that. It was called Waverly Park and the State Government legislated it to extinction.

 

[kranky al]

The VFL tried that. It was called Waverly Park and the State Government legislated it to extinction.

Tell me more?

Never heard anything about this?

 

[BG32]

Replace Eithad with a new stadium slightly bigger then the MCG, hold the grand final there from that point onwards.

The free space generated by not having those MCC tossers plus the added capacity would get an extra 30k+ actual supporters into the games.

There is no room anywhere near the cbd for that. They should have built Etihad bigger back when there was nothing around it.

 

[Cuzz09]

Leave it the same size but modernize it a bit.

Dunno how.

But get a decent boutique stadium like Optus Oval (redevloped) for games like Melb v Freo

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[JohnZ]

Tell me more?

Never heard anything about this?

Not sure if you're taking the piss, so I assume not.

Waverly (VFL) park was planned to have a capacity of up to 150,000 spectators

Like Football park, the bottom deck had a very shallow angle, meaning that it itself could fit over 70,000 spectators alone. The ground dimensions were 200 m x 160 m. In comparison, the MCG is 160x140 and Perth Stadium is 165x130. Big boy indeed

The most of it that was built was the lower bowl, plus a small section of the 2nd tier which featured the VFL members area, now the AFL members in the great southern stand at the MCG

As you can see the only way to get to the ground was by car. The Victorian government promised a train line, that would have connected both Monash Uni and Waverly Park to the Dandenong lines at Huntingdale. That was 1970 and the train line still isn't there.

The VFL had planned to move its Grand Finals to VFL park when their deal with the MCC expired sometime in the ~90s I believe. However the Premier at the time was (unsuprinsgly) an MCC member and blocked this move with all the might he could.

Due to numerous factors, eventually the State Government gave the AFL land in Docklands for a new stadium, and the rest is history. Last game was played in 1999.

Waverly Park is now where the Hawks train (although not for much longer), and is surrounded by town houses.

 

[kranky al]

Not sure if you're taking the piss, so I assume not.

Waverly (VFL) park was planned to have a capacity of up to 150,000 spectators

Like Football park, the bottom deck had a very shallow angle, meaning that it itself could fit over 70,000 spectators alone. The ground dimensions were 200 m x 160 m. In comparison, the MCG is 160x140 and Perth Stadium is 165x130. Big boy indeed

The most of it that was built was the lower bowl, plus a small section of the 2nd tier which featured the VFL members area, now the AFL members in the great southern stand at the MCG

As you can see the only way to get to the ground was by car. The Victorian government promised a train line, that would have connected both Monash Uni and Waverly Park to the Dandenong lines at Huntingdale. That was 1970 and the train line still isn't there.

The VFL had planned to move its Grand Finals to VFL park when their deal with the MCC expired sometime in the ~90s I believe. However the Premier at the time was (unsuprinsgly) an MCC member and blocked this move with all the might he could.

Due to numerous factors, eventually the State Government gave the AFL land in Docklands for a new stadium, and the rest is history. Last game was played in 1999.

Waverly Park is now where the Hawks train (although not for much longer), and is surrounded by town houses.

Cheers - i never knew fa about waverly despite seeing it mentioned - never had any idea of the scale of it.


No public transport would be a nightmare for sure.

 

[Gralin]

Cheers - i never knew fa about waverly despite seeing it mentioned - never had any idea of the scale of it.


No public transport would be a nightmare for sure.

that promised train line is still coming, eventually, some time in the next 20 years, maybe

 

[St Plugger]

They have drawn up some preliminary plans to build a roof over it, in order to bring it up to 21C standards. As part of those works, it may include adding some extra capacity .

 

[Starburns_]

Memberships with guaranteed GF tickets at big clubs normally have a waitlist 4 years long

Can't speak for others but Richmond offered an add-on in about 2009 that if paid every year would guarantee GF access if we made it. It cost $75 that year, and is up to about $200 this year.

This offer was around until maybe 2012, so it's not like the opportunity wasn't there for those prepared to lock it in when we were shit.

 

[Cuzz09]

Good old Footy Park.

She's being torn down as we speak.

1 light tower left standing

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[bradburygold]

Can't speak for others but Richmond offered an add-on in about 2009 that if paid every year would guarantee GF access if we made it. It cost $75 that year, and is up to about $200 this year.

This offer was around until maybe 2012, so it's not like the opportunity wasn't there for those prepared to lock it in when we were shit.

No offence at all but richmond circa 2009 was not in my definition of big club - why would any tigers fan be rushing to gaurantee a gf seat back then? (you are the biggest now.)

 

[JohnZ]

No offence at all but richmond circa 2009 was not in my definition of big club - why would any tigers fan be rushing to gaurantee a gf seat back then? (you are the biggest now.)

Of course richmond was a big club back then, that's why they've 100k+ members and 60k+ average crowds since the dawn of time

 

[Starburns_]

No offence at all but richmond circa 2009 was not in my definition of big club - why would any tigers fan be rushing to gaurantee a gf seat back then? (you are the biggest now.)

Richmond have always been a big club, we just weren't a successful one so unlike other clubs we had no bandwagon at that time, whereas now it's at its peak.

Still, my main point was that a waiting list now is irrelevant, there wasn't one at all a few years prior for those who wanted it enough.

It likely wouldn't be hard to get a similar offer as a Carlton member right now, but you can be sure that when they eventually come good again guaranteed tickets will be near impossible to get.

 

[bradburygold]

Richmond have always been a big club, we just weren't a successful one so unlike other clubs we had no bandwagon at that time, whereas now it's at its peak.

Still, my main point was that a waiting list now is irrelevant, there wasn't one at all a few years prior for those who wanted it enough.

It likely wouldn't be hard to get a similar offer as a Carlton member right now, but you can be sure that when they eventually come good again guaranteed tickets will be near impossible to get.

The impossible bit is my point unless you can afford what is essentially “gf insurance” for your whole family

 

[rado]

The MCG capacity does not need to be increased, however there is one thing the AFL must do to allow more competing club members attend the GF.

On the biggest day unless you are an AFL or MCC competing club member you should not have access to the GF before club members, the AFL should demand exclusive rights to the ground on GF day on behalf of Football as a national sport.

Interstate clubs are getting screwed by the AFL and MCC. In a national comp, to extend the GF at the MCC and not have fair member access addressed is a blight on the governing body and the MCC.

How on earth are interstate members expected to access a venue whereby more than half the allocation is exhausted by local residents in a national comp.

So no ....... no need to increase overall capacity but a need increase capacity for team members in a national comp and the sooner it’s rectified the better as it’s a blight on the game.

 

[thatwasmymistake]

Does anyone know how to get through to the great southern stand if you have a ponsford stand ticket? Just to stand

If you can't scan in the GSS if you go to level 4, there is a walkway above the concourse through the MCC which spits you out in Q49. Proceed to GSS from there.

 

[Go the Guts]

You realize that while people support clubs, some are also football fans that love going to the footy.

Which is fine except for GF day. It really should be exclusively for the supporters of both competing clubs.

 

[Go the Guts]

The MCG capacity does not need to be increased, however there is one thing the AFL must do to allow more competing club members attend the GF.

On the biggest day unless you are an AFL or MCC competing club member you should not have access to the GF before club members, the AFL should demand exclusive rights to the ground on GF day on behalf of Football as a national sport.

Interstate clubs are getting screwed by the AFL and MCC. In a national comp, to extend the GF at the MCC and not have fair member access addressed is a blight on the governing body and the MCC.

How on earth are interstate members expected to access a venue whereby more than half the allocation is exhausted by local residents in a national comp.

So no ....... no need to increase overall capacity but a need increase capacity for team members in a national comp and the sooner it’s rectified the better as it’s a blight on the game.

It's so refreshing to read a post like this by a victorian. You're absolutely spot on sir.