Opinion New AFC HQ (Part 2): Dale dug a hole

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You could live your whole life in Adelaide, drive all over the place for years, know the metro area like the back of your hand and never stumble across Richmond Oval. It's a nice ground but it is the most hidden, out of the way facility in the state.

Unless you're in the brake fluid industry I don't think you'd ever go near there

I think you've hit the nail on the head.

Richmond Oval is an absolute pig of a location, it's locked away in a semi-commercial area with absolutely zero visibility.

They desperately need a 2nd venue, but I think the ship has long sailed on that. West are trapped in the situation where they are scrapping for every cent they can to stay alive, to even consider being able to invest in a 2nd commercial location is a pipe dream that will never happen.

 

[Rabish Binney]

It's been on a downward path for a long time. Ever since old Doug Thomas ripped them off for years.
The facilities are poor and run down throughout the club. They once had some decent meals and a dining room - it's basically shut down now. Even their pokies are for the diehards only and don't make money (hard to do!)

They need to spend a lot of money to improve the club (a bit like Glenelg did back in the day) and entice people back. It would be a big gamble though and could easily be a waste of money. They are in huge trouble and I can't see them getting out of it to be honest.

What's that about? Can you elaborate.

The way some SANFL people talked about Thomas, it was like he was the 2nd coming of JC.

On another note, didn't 2 of their 1983 premiership players end up on the wrong side of the law for embezzlement or similar (Kantilaftos and Luders)?

 

[Cap]

Haha, I've upped the intake too (since the announcement) was always partial, now it's a staple!

Coopers Stout in winter

It's as good a stout you can get mass produced in Australia IMO.

 

[DJ75]

What's that about? Can you elaborate.

The way some SANFL people talked about Thomas, it was like he was the 2nd coming of JC.

On another note, didn't 2 of their 1983 premiership players end up on the wrong side of the law for embezzlement or similar (Kantilaftos and Luders)?

I lived in the area and spent a bit of time around Westies back then. Doug dominated the club and everyone thought he was a God.
Eventually he left and the talk all around the club was that there was some major discrepancies in the finances over the years. It was kept hush as he was in poor health at the time.
There is a hint of it here: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news...e/news-story/b133ad0dabad02696690c56878e0fa67

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

*actually I stand corrected

Lockleys Oval is the most hidden away facility in the metro area

Then Richmond Oval

Noarlunga Football/Cricket Club third (and is a cracking ground)

 

[Cromulant]

*actually I stand corrected

Lockleys Oval is the most hidden away facility in the metro area

Then Richmond Oval

Noarlunga Football Club third (and is a cracking ground)

Mitcham is pretty hidden, then again its so small its easy to hide.

 

[StonesThrow]

One thing I love about a football ground is the ability to see it from a long way away.

 

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I lived in the area and spent a bit of time around Westies back then. Doug dominated the club and everyone thought he was a God.
Eventually he left and the talk all around the club was that there was some major discrepancies in the finances over the years. It was kept hush as he was in poor health at the time.
There is a hint of it here: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news...e/news-story/b133ad0dabad02696690c56878e0fa67

I think Doug forever had credits in the bank from 1983

That year West only lost 4 games (3 of them by under 2 goals) and won the flag, he and Neil Kerley were given the Malcolm Blight treatment by everyone at West Adelaide after that and no one thought he could ever do wrong.

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

One thing I love about a football ground is the ability to see it from a long way away.

Fairly crucial for their licensed club. Not a lot of foot traffic by the sounds of it

 

[1970crow]

I can see a situation where we enter an arrangement with West Adelaide, similar to Freo and Peel, where West becomes our Reserves side and Richmond Oval, which is 3km away, becomes the 2nd oval.

I can't see that at all. Why would SANFL and other clubs favour that?

 

[1970crow]

I used to work with a guy who was heavily involved at West Adelaide.

Back around 2017-2018 I can remember him telling me that the club was operating on the bones of it's backside and was pretty much insolvent. He said that West's biggest issue was that their off-field revenue was significantly worse than every other SANFL club and he wasn't sure how financially viable they would be long term.

Doesn't seem like anything has improved.

Did they sell off a building?

 

[1970crow]

What's that about? Can you elaborate.

The way some SANFL people talked about Thomas, it was like he was the 2nd coming of JC.

On another note, didn't 2 of their 1983 premiership players end up on the wrong side of the law for embezzlement or similar (Kantilaftos and Luders)?

Paul Ravesi wasn't a premiership player but he stole from clients to fuel his gambling addiction. Pretty sure he went to jail. Poker players eyes would light up when he arrived to play, he was really loose. I still remember a live game during a huge tournament where I flopped him the low straight flush and another player the high in a $25/$50 game of Omaha. That was about 30 years ago before poker became big again with that god awful no limit Texas.

 

[crows dude]

If Thebarton is going to be open how will aflw and sanfl be played there. Need gates and fences as it’s a paid game.

I guess temporary fencing when a match is on

 

[adelaidecrows]

If Thebarton is going to be open how will aflw and sanfl be played there. Need gates and fences as it’s a paid game.

I guess temporary fencing when a match is on

Are the plans to play Sanfl and AFLW matches their or are we using the internal Theberton Oval complex? I am not sure on the plans exactly. If there is no fencing then one can only imagine match days will be held at another location.

 

[Peter Doherty]

If Thebarton is going to be open how will aflw and sanfl be played there. Need gates and fences as it’s a paid game.

I guess temporary fencing when a match is on

I'd imagine there will be permanent fencing, like Thebby has had. Just open the gates during the periods it's open to the public.

 

[Cromulant]

If Thebarton is going to be open how will aflw and sanfl be played there. Need gates and fences as it’s a paid game.

I guess temporary fencing when a match is on

Same way it works at Unley and everywhere else I guess.

Doesn't seem to bother Brisbane, West Coast etc

 

[Drugs Are Bad Mackay?]

If Thebarton is going to be open how will aflw and sanfl be played there. Need gates and fences as it’s a paid game.

I guess temporary fencing when a match is on

They can borrow Sturt's temporary fencing after Unley Council green lights their fence proposal

 

[glengowan]

I can't see that at all. Why would SANFL and other clubs favour that?

To save West. They are in dire financial trouble.

 

[Cromulant]

To save West. They are in dire financial trouble.

Still don't see why they'd want it.

Or Adelaide for that matter

 

[GrommoT]

If Thebarton is going to be open how will aflw and sanfl be played there. Need gates and fences as it’s a paid game.

I guess temporary fencing when a match is on

 

[FR0GGY]

Is alberton open to the public?

 

[Cromulant]

Is alberton open to the public?

It used to be, not sure about post development though

 

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Did they sell off a building?

Back then they were trying to sell their clubrooms back to the council, but a contingent of wealthy supporters ended up taking over their debt (which was over a million at the time) and entered into a revenue sharing agreement with the club to save the clubrooms from being sold

I don't know what has happened in the years since then though, I'm assuming that the club still owns them.

 

[1970crow]

If Thebarton is going to be open how will aflw and sanfl be played there. Need gates and fences as it’s a paid game.

I guess temporary fencing when a match is on

Won't fences be in the design?

 

[1970crow]

Are the plans to play Sanfl and AFLW matches their or are we using the internal Theberton Oval complex? I am not sure on the plans exactly. If there is no fencing then one can only imagine match days will be held at another location.

There'll be fencing, it just doesn't need to feature on architectural impressions. Gates will be open almost all of the time and when there's an entry fee event, people will be stationed to collect $.