Resurfacing Punt Rd

Joined
Jun 13, 2011
Posts
177
Likes
201
Location
melbourne
AFL Club
Richmond
Thread starter #1
What are your thoughts on doing this in the middle of the season?

I think it's great and needs to be done however I'm not sure it's the best time for a couple of reasons.

We're starting to find some form and stability in where we stand in the competition and I can't see how having to move training to Cragieburn and Victoria Park will do anything but unsettle the players.

If our intention is to make finals this year wouldn't it be best if we could continue to use our ground to avoid unwanted disruptions like this?

Is winter even the best time to be laying turf/resurfacing grounds? It's going to take longer for the turf to knit/seeds to germinate due to cooler temperatures and less sunlight whether they're putting down turf or using the traditional method of seeds respectively.

I think it's a really questionable decision to be doing this at a fairly crucial stage of the season for us.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

RFC_Official

Premiership Player
Joined
Aug 17, 2010
Posts
4,335
Likes
7,900
Location
Punt Rd
AFL Club
Richmond
#2
All very reasonable questions but the plan all along was to minimialize the impact on pre-season training for 2013 due to lack of grounds available because of cricket season, and this is the best way to do it.

Ideally it would have happened this time last year but there some major drainage issues under the ground that delayed it till now.
 

SumTingWong

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Dec 10, 2011
Posts
5,737
Likes
10,086
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Liverpool, NY Giants, NY Mets
#3
What are your thoughts on doing this in the middle of the season?

I think it's great and needs to be done however I'm not sure it's the best time for a couple of reasons.

We're starting to find some form and stability in where we stand in the competition and I can't see how having to move training to Cragieburn and Victoria Park will do anything but unsettle the players.

If our intention is to make finals this year wouldn't it be best if we could continue to use our ground to avoid unwanted disruptions like this?

Is winter even the best time to be laying turf/resurfacing grounds? It's going to take longer for the turf to knit/seeds to germinate due to cooler temperatures and less sunlight whether they're putting down turf or using the traditional method of seeds respectively.

I think it's a really questionable decision to be doing this at a fairly crucial stage of the season for us.


I think you'll find that preseason is the most crucial/important time for any club
 
Joined
Jun 13, 2011
Posts
177
Likes
201
Location
melbourne
AFL Club
Richmond
Thread starter #4
I think you'll find that preseason is the most crucial/important time for any club
No doubt. But there's usually a few weeks off before it starts, camps, days when they wouldn't even be on the ground. Probably less than what there are during the season which would make more sense to use other grounds for the minimal amount of skills sessions during the early part of pre season.
 

turtle27

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 5, 2004
Posts
6,088
Likes
7,176
Location
The Punt Road End
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Liverpool, Rochester, Broncos, Pens
#5
No doubt. But there's usually a few weeks off before it starts, camps, days when they wouldn't even be on the ground. Probably less than what there are during the season which would make more sense to use other grounds for the minimal amount of skills sessions during the early part of pre season.
You're actually wrong there OWO. Benny Gale was on SEN this morning and stated the team actually spends very little time on the track this time of year. More time is spent in recovery and in the gym. Pre-season is the time where they by far and away they spend the most time on the track.

We need Punt Road ready for the next pre-season, so now is the best time to do it. IMO it's a good decision.
 

turtle27

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Oct 5, 2004
Posts
6,088
Likes
7,176
Location
The Punt Road End
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Liverpool, Rochester, Broncos, Pens
#6
Tigers hit the road

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/137232/default.aspx

RICHMOND chief executive Brendon Gale says it's necessary to move the club's training venue mid-season if the ground development at Punt Road is to be ready by pre-season training.

Richmond will train at Highgate Reserve in Craigieburn and Victoria Park from early June because of the $1.9 million redevelopment at Punt Road.

Gale said the club owes its players the opportunity to provide the best oval on which to train.
"It might surprise people in footy but the guys don't spend a hell of a lot of time on the track at this time of year," Gale told SEN's Morning Glory program.

"They get smashed during the matches. It's then about recovery - a bit of spit and polish.
 

TOOs_Finest

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Mar 2, 2009
Posts
7,933
Likes
2,101
Location
East of Melbourne
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Dallas Desire
#7

CoggaRules

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Apr 7, 2004
Posts
22,486
Likes
11,663
Location
Pluto
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
TOO
#8
All i know is that whatever the case, Benny has got the place rocking and is not going to stop until this club is a powerhouse and remain one for a very very long time...its not rocket science though. Its look over at Swan St and see what McGuire has achieved for his club and just do it and the army will awaken and the newbies will want in on the party and the cash starts flowing in... ;)
 
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Posts
1,198
Likes
627
Location
South
AFL Club
Richmond
#10
I could not agree more with Benny - whatever we need to minimise distraction and impact on our season next year - do it now. Even to the detriment of this year.

With the evening out of the draw, another full year of development and a big pre-season - 2013 should be our year to really challenge. This year is just more preparation.

I hope this sort of thinking pervades the club today.

Love Benny.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Rodney Dangerfield

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
Mar 28, 2005
Posts
29,902
Likes
65,020
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Liverpool,Bournemouth
#20
So where will we have the post Grand Final fans event/ Cup presentation?
Excellent point. I hope the bloody club have a back up plan.
No way it's going to be at Vic Park and I'm not driving to bloody Craigieburn I assure you!
Stupid move. Need to get onto this right away.
 

telsor

Hall of Famer
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Posts
30,060
Likes
26,490
Location
Here
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Habs
#21
Excellent point. I hope the bloody club have a back up plan.
No way it's going to be at Vic Park and I'm not driving to bloody Craigieburn I assure you!
Stupid move. Need to get onto this right away.
If we win the GF, I'll ride to Cragieburn. Hell, if they want to have it in Cairns, I'll be there.

It's been too long to miss it for something as trivial as location.


As for when they do it...it looks like it takes ~6 months (and that's with hitting the best times for grass growth)....Can anyone who objects suggest a better 6 month period to do it?
 

Richo is God

Brownlow Medallist
Joined
May 5, 2007
Posts
11,852
Likes
16,149
Location
Melbourne
AFL Club
Richmond
#22
Punt road oval to Victoria Park isn't really a very long commute so really nothing to be concerned about. The important thing is that it's up and ready for the preseason when it's most used.
Google maps suggests a 10 minute drive from Tigerland to Vic Park. Doubt the players would be too upset about it.
 

deliberate!!

Norm Smith Medallist
Joined
Sep 14, 2003
Posts
5,880
Likes
1,705
Location
In Bake Jatchelor's shadow
AFL Club
Richmond
Other Teams
Richmond
#25
Stupid, stupid, stupid doing it now....anything to disrupt the side. :rolleyes: :mad:

FFS...You can do pre-season training anywhere.

So while we are coming good this year the club decides the players have to hike out to the ass end of the earth because of the current surface?

Get real Richmond!

We are in the middle of a football season you fools. Not next year....NOW.
 
Top Bottom