Suburban/Country Grounds

Sep 22, 2008
3,030
2,317
Moama
AFL Club
Western Bulldogs
Heres another one of Powelltown. What a beauty

powelltown1.jpg
 

Grassroots Guru

Senior List
Mar 29, 2014
170
140
AFL Club
North Melbourne
One of the smaller and thinnest ground I'd say you'd see in country/suburban footy for senior football is the Maldon football ground. The one thing you can't really see is the unique and picturesquare stone wall that goes around approx. half of the ground and gives this elevated view where this picture was taken, would love to see if someone has an image of it.

 

budge27

All Australian
Aug 16, 2009
746
620
Perth
AFL Club
Collingwood
Other Teams
Redskins, Northwestern, Dodgers

Chicken Parma

Team Captain
Oct 31, 2011
350
214
Leongatha
AFL Club
Gold Coast
Other Teams
Jaguars, Renegades

Rouel_14

Club Legend
Apr 27, 2014
1,433
1,578
Bendigo, Victoria
AFL Club
Richmond
Yer they are. They have regularly hosted AFL practice matches there over the years. Even a World Cup cricket game in 92 - when the Poms lost ;)

Fantastic ground at Lavi in the middle of an AFL heart land!
Hosts the O&M grand final every year in excess of 12000 people.

Seriously surprised no AFL side has tried to lay serious claim to this area, not only an immediate population of 100000 who thrive off AFL, but another 100000 in an hours radius between Wangaratta, Corowa and Yarrawonga.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
 

ROOTA#6

Brownlow Medallist
May 12, 2006
17,165
13,715
Bendigo
AFL Club
St Kilda
Fantastic ground at Lavi in the middle of an AFL heart land!
Hosts the O&M grand final every year in excess of 12000 people.

Seriously surprised no AFL side has tried to lay serious claim to this area, not only an immediate population of 100000 who thrive off AFL, but another 100000 in an hours radius between Wangaratta, Corowa and Yarrawonga.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

North Melbourne tried. They based their reserves side out of the area for a period. The Murray kangaroos
 

BulldogJake

All Australian
Jul 24, 2016
996
1,274
Melbourne
AFL Club
Western Bulldogs
Fantastic ground at Lavi in the middle of an AFL heart land!
Hosts the O&M grand final every year in excess of 12000 people.

Seriously surprised no AFL side has tried to lay serious claim to this area, not only an immediate population of 100000 who thrive off AFL, but another 100000 in an hours radius between Wangaratta, Corowa and Yarrawonga.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
It'd be great for a team - probably North since they have history there to form a relationship in the Murray like the dogs are trying in Ballarat. Redevelop the ground to 15,000, play 2 H&A games there a season and pre season games; will also attract other events to the region.
 

Rouel_14

Club Legend
Apr 27, 2014
1,433
1,578
Bendigo, Victoria
AFL Club
Richmond
It'd be great for a team - probably North since they have history there to form a relationship in the Murray like the dogs are trying in Ballarat. Redevelop the ground to 15,000, play 2 H&A games there a season and pre season games; will also attract other events to the region.

Ground can easily hold 15000 as is, built into the side of a hill which makes a large capacity and great viewing from majority of the ground.
I agree a smaller club such as North would be perfect to do something like this, but growing up there for the first 20 years of my life, I knew 2-3 north supporters.

Not that any of the big 4 would ever move a home game away from Melbourne, but I would go as far to say as much as 85% of the area are either pies, bombers, tigers or blues fans


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
 

BulldogJake

All Australian
Jul 24, 2016
996
1,274
Melbourne
AFL Club
Western Bulldogs
Ground can easily hold 15000 as is, built into the side of a hill which makes a large capacity and great viewing from majority of the ground.
I agree a smaller club such as North would be perfect to do something like this, but growing up there for the first 20 years of my life, I knew 2-3 north supporters.

Not that any of the big 4 would ever move a home game away from Melbourne, but I would go as far to say as much as 85% of the area are either pies, bombers, tigers or blues fans


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
I don't think it's beyond possibility for Carlton to explore that kind of option
 

bomberman31

Rookie
Jul 14, 2012
47
27
AFL Club
Essendon
Some awsome grounds in Ballarat by the look of that then, not knowing the area, how well would any of the grounds stack up against north Ballarat oval in terms of been a good option for the AFL upgrade ?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
 

Roogal

Club Legend
Dec 7, 2016
2,115
4,661
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
North Ballarat Roosters
Some awsome grounds in Ballarat by the look of that then, not knowing the area, how well would any of the grounds stack up against north Ballarat oval in terms of been a good option for the AFL upgrade ?


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
That's a very good question, because there are a number of ovals in Ballarat which have been upgraded over the last three years with new Etihad Stadium standard playing surfaces, new irrigation and upgraded professional (200 lux) lighting which include:
  • The Eastern Oval (Home of the 'East Point Kangaroos')
  • The Northern Oval #2 (Home to 'North Ballarat City')
  • Alfredton Oval (Home to 'The Ballarat Swans')
  • Wendouree Oval (Home to the 'Wendouree Lakers')
  • The Buninyong Oval, and
  • The Learmonth Oval
Currently the Marty Busch Reserve in Sebastopol is receiving a $1.7 million upgrade to completely rebuild its clubrooms, its oval and install new lighting for the Sebastopol FC and Cricket Clubs which will be finished by April this year. At the completion of the Ballarat Football League season this year, finally the Ballarat City Oval (Home to the Redan FNC) is finally having its fire fighting training track removed and the oval is being rebuilt and shifted closer to the main grandstand and Saxon House pavilion. It will easily be the loveliest of Ballarat's big ovals with its big shady trees and old grandstand.

Out of all of these reserves, the Wendouree Oval probably has the most room for unlimited expansion. It has plenty of space around the oval to build grandstands and allow for car parking to accommodate a large crowd. The Eastern Oval is a lovely ground and very strategically located, but it is heavily landlocked by adjacent roads, the Yarrowee River and plans for further development over the next several years will reduce its capacity. The redeveloped City Oval is the preferred location for the BFL to host it's grand finals from 2018, although it is constrained by surrounding blue-ribbon private housing and lighting restrictions, but it does have a capacity for up to 12000 people (mostly standing).

Alfredton Oval is an excellent playing ground but has virtually no parking to accommodate crowds above 3000. The remainder of the grounds that I listed are more remotely positioned around the city.

From your original question I would say the Wendouree Oval had the most potential for unlimited expansion, although it really is only 4-500 metres from Eureka Stadium.
 

bomberman31

Rookie
Jul 14, 2012
47
27
AFL Club
Essendon
That's a very good question, because there are a number of ovals in Ballarat which have been upgraded over the last three years with new Etihad Stadium standard playing surfaces, new irrigation and upgraded professional (200 lux) lighting which include:
  • The Eastern Oval (Home of the 'East Point Kangaroos')
  • The Northern Oval #2 (Home to 'North Ballarat City')
  • Alfredton Oval (Home to 'The Ballarat Swans')
  • Wendouree Oval (Home to the 'Wendouree Lakers')
  • The Buninyong Oval, and
  • The Learmonth Oval
Currently the Marty Busch Reserve in Sebastopol is receiving a $1.7 million upgrade to completely rebuild its clubrooms, its oval and install new lighting for the Sebastopol FC and Cricket Clubs which will be finished by April this year. At the completion of the Ballarat Football League season this year, finally the Ballarat City Oval (Home to the Redan FNC) is finally having its fire fighting training track removed and the oval is being rebuilt and shifted closer to the main grandstand and Saxon House pavilion. It will easily be the loveliest of Ballarat's big ovals with its big shady trees and old grandstand.

Out of all of these reserves, the Wendouree Oval probably has the most room for unlimited expansion. It has plenty of space around the oval to build grandstands and allow for car parking to accommodate a large crowd. The Eastern Oval is a lovely ground and very strategically located, but it is heavily landlocked by adjacent roads, the Yarrowee River and plans for further development over the next several years will reduce its capacity. The redeveloped City Oval is the preferred location for the BFL to host it's grand finals from 2018, although it is constrained by surrounding blue-ribbon private housing and lighting restrictions, but it does have a capacity for up to 12000 people (mostly standing).

Alfredton Oval is an excellent playing ground but has virtually no parking to accommodate crowds above 3000. The remainder of the grounds that I listed are more remotely positioned around the city.

From your original question I would say the Wendouree Oval had the most potential for unlimited expansion, although it really is only 4-500 metres from Eureka Stadium.

Great summary mate ! Thanks for clearing that up!


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app
 

Roogal

Club Legend
Dec 7, 2016
2,115
4,661
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
North Ballarat Roosters
Ballarat's City Oval during the 2017 Ballarat Beer Festival three weeks ago:

r394_0_4516_2324_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


Below: The aftermath of the 2017 CHFL Grand Final at Alfredton Oval Ballarat (The game is normally played at Eureka Stadium)

r631_0_3716_1643_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


Below: Night 20/20 game at North Ballarat #2 (Eureka Stadium's secondary ground)

r488_0_3504_1699_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
 
Last edited:

Roogal

Club Legend
Dec 7, 2016
2,115
4,661
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
North Ballarat Roosters
Back to NewsBallarat scores funding for regional cricket hub at Eastern Oval
Ballarat_Eastern_Oval_announcement.jpg


Cricket Victoria, Cricket Australia and the Victorian Government have committed $500,000 to upgrade facilities at Ballarat's Eastern Oval via the $12.4 million Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground.


Cricket Victoria CEO Tony Dodemaide today joined Member for Wendouree Sharon Knight MP, Member for Buninyong Geoff Howard MP and Cr Grant Tillett of Ballarat City Council, to announce funding that will establish Eastern Oval as a regional hub for cricket in Ballarat and surrounds. The Ballarat City Council are committing a further $1.5 million toward development as part of an ongoing 10 year program to redevelop several of its major ovals across the city to Class 1 standard for AFL and Cricket.

The project includes the upgrade of oval lighting to Cricket Australia's class two standard (300 lux to outfield and 500 lux to centre wicket), development of new turf wicket training facilities and redevelopment of the existing change facilities to make them female friendly.

The development provides greater opportunities for Eastern Oval to host representative cricket events that will deliver economic benefits for the region and inspire participation at junior levels. The investment into Eastern Oval also provides additional capacity for the local cricket association to cater for their cricket pathway programs and initiatives.

Dodemaide said that Eastern Oval's transformation will further empower local cricketers and support the continued growth in participation by women.

"Cricket's strong partnership with the Victorian Government and Ballarat City Council will transform Eastern Oval into the state's first (of eight) regional cricket hub under the Community Cricket Program," Dodemaide said.

"It will provide local cricketers with the appropriate level of facilities to offer pathways from junior levels to high performance and support the continued growth in participation by girls and women across the region."

Victorian Minister for Sport the Hon John Eren MP said that the Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground continues to provide meaningful opportunities for local communities.

"The Eastern Oval Project is another example of how the Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground is providing a great opportunity for local communities to kick-start projects that can make a real difference to people's lives," Minister Eren said.

The Ballarat community is the latest to benefit from the Community Cricket Program: On Common Ground that is providing $12.4 million to plan, build new or improve existing sport and recreation facilities at eight regional facilities across Victoria.

24 FEBRUARY, 2017
 
Last edited:

Roogal

Club Legend
Dec 7, 2016
2,115
4,661
AFL Club
North Melbourne
Other Teams
North Ballarat Roosters
Muddy to magnificent; the redevelopment of Sebastopol’s football ground

4 May 2017, 1 p.m.
r0_0_1802_1101_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


Photos: Skyline Drone Imaging.

This coming Saturday night will be a huge moment for the Sebastopol Football Club. The newly redeveloped Marty Busch Reserve will be on show for all to see, marking a new era for the club. Gone are the days of the Burra footballers trawling through the mud in search of the footy. The $1.7 million revamp by Ballarat City Council of the ground is complete and the ground is now a state-of-the-art footy facility. And to make the occasion even bigger, former AFL star Brendan Fevola will be pulling on the boots for opposition Melton South. Check out the amazing photos below to see how the oval has been transformed.

r0_0_3025_2165_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


r0_0_3992_2242_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


r0_0_4000_2249_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


r0_0_4000_2249_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


r293_0_3507_1808_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


r48_0_3952_2196_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


r247_0_3744_1967_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


r150_0_3849_2081_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg


r129_0_3786_2057_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg
1x1-placeholder.gif
 
Back