Victoria Park

[half_back_flank]

Anyone else a little jealous of the Kardinia Park upgrades and the formidable home ground advantage they will build up if they ever get to play all their home games and even finals there?

It would be nice to have that genuine home ground advantage. It would have been nigh on impossible to pull off a redevelopment of Vic Park with the council, AFL, residences, making it big enough, limited room, money ect. but it does make you think.

In terms of development, there wasn't that big of a difference between KP and Victoria Park during the 1990's.

KP in 1993:

Victoria Park in 1995:

Obviously the move to the MCG was a lot easier for us (given Geelong would have basically had to relocate if they didn't keep KP) and it has been a large part in making us the most powerful and wealthiest club in the AFL. But as much as I love watching us play in front of huge crowds at the G, it would be fantastic to play at a ground that was just ours again.

Just have to settle for watching the Ressies run around Vic Park I guess.

 

[vjknight]

much rather be at the G about 15 times a year than chasing money or being forced to play home games at other grounds.

its been a great step forward.

 

[unplugged]

Just have to settle for watching the Ressies run around Vic Park I guess.

Personally I've never been to Vic Park but at least this is something. It's not like it has been forgotten.

 

[Cory]

It would've been fantastic to contain Vic park as our home ground, we easily could've payed for upgrades just like we did with the new training oval.

 

[MarkT2]

In terms of development, there wasn't that big of a difference between KP and Victoria Park during the 1990's.

The KP redevelopment nearly sent Geelong under. They had massive (for the time) debt after builing the stand. We simply didn;t have the money to develop Vic Park unfortunately. I would love to be playing our Docklands games at Vic Park but it is too late for that now. The docklands deal with the AFL is locked in and Vic Park has falled way too far off the pace for senior AFL footy.

 

[mattys123]

We probably had two windows of opportunity to develop Vic Park further.

One was in the mid 80's when the Ryder Stand was starting to get very old and could have replaced and maybe even extended, but we were so financially mismanaged in that period that we almost went broke even without improving the ground too much.

And the other chance was post 1990, when we'd won a flag and actually had a bit of cash but it was around this time that it became apparent that we were simply too big for suburban grounds and gradually a lot of our bigger games were moved to the MCG or Waverley anyway.

I'm glad Geelong has a stadium to call their own, they are the only regional team we have in the AFL (some may call Gold Coast regional also) and it's good to see their long term survival is basically guaranteed due to the smart thinking of Frank Costa and Brian Cook.

I drove past the ground twice in the last few weeks down at Geelong and it looks mightily impressive, to the point where I wouldn't mind if we played a pre season match down there next year (as has been suggested).

 

[ppoiter]

Spot on, it would be amazing to have our own ~50,000 seat cauldron of hostility. Cant see it happening now unfortunately

 

[thatday]

Just got to find a way to get about 700 million and I'm sure we could build one..

 

[Tippy78]

I do miss the days of home games at Victoria Park.

Maybe when the AFL imposes a salary cap on our football department spending we can bank the excess cash and start working towards a brand new 50k stadium.....

 

[blaze036]

Spot on, it would be amazing to have our own ~50,000 seat cauldron of hostility. Cant see it happening now unfortunately

50k would be far too small for most of our games... unless you only play half our home games there against the smaller drawing teams. Then you've paid many hundreds of millions of dollars (plus continuous upkeep) for a ground that's only used 6 or so times a year.

Crazy idea !

 

[ppoiter]

50k would be far too small for most of our games... unless you only play half our home games there against the smaller drawing teams. Then you've paid many hundreds of millions of dollars (plus continuous upkeep) for a ground that's only used 6 or so times a year.

Crazy idea !

I know, I was just fantasing about having our own park/cauldron. Not saying its a smart idea at all. And yes, it would definitely have to be bigger to fit all us feral magpie mongrels

 

[MarkT2]

50k would be far too small for most of our games... unless you only play half our home games there against the smaller drawing teams. Then you've paid many hundreds of millions of dollars (plus continuous upkeep) for a ground that's only used 6 or so times a year.

Crazy idea !

Unless you could sign North & Footscray to play home games there and use it as the main VFL gound.

 

[vjknight]

Unless you could sign North & Footscray to play home games there and use it as the main VFL gound.

with carlton trying desperately to leave etihad you cant imagine the afl leaving fitzpatricks company in the lurch and letting others leave too.

 

[wednesdaywarrior]

Spot on, it would be amazing to have our own ~50,000 seat cauldron of hostility. Cant see it happening now unfortunately

I love the expression 'cauldron of hostility', brilliant!

 

[blaze036]

Once etihad is AFL owned north and bulldogs ect won't want to leave

 

[wednesdaywarrior]

Such a cauldron offers many benefits to the home side but among them are the abilty to frequently/regularly pressure the umpires into favouring your side by constant bullying as is done every week in Perth. This used to be called 'Grand Stand decisions' back in the day. But upon reflection, as someone who regularly went to Vic Park in the 80s and 90s, I don't remember the umps caving in so readily to our black and white fervor. If anything there were these obstinate characters like Russo who just seemed to get their back up and try to antagonise the crowd by favouring the other side as much as possible. I'm surprised some of these men actually got out of the ground in one piece.

 

[peter9789]

I think if you've ever been to Victoria Park as a Collingwood supporter you would never forget how hostile it was for opposition clubs and supporters. To be then able to go up into the social club and mingle with the players after the game was awesome. Had a few beers with Pants and Kerro back in the late 80's.

Unfortunately however, it was never feasible for the club to redevelop the ground given the strong opposition from residents and local council, and not the least the astronomical cost that the club at the time could simply not afford.

I was always eternally hopeful the club would return and at least use it as it's home base and training venue, but even that looks a pipe dream given the investment in the Westpac centre and Olympic park precinct.

 

[Silent Alarm]

You could theoretically redo a lot at the Lulie Street end. The road itself could be moved eastward, toward, the train line, and build a reasonable concourse backing onto the Sherrin Stand and Turner st stand (well, something that would be built along Turner). Then you could throw down the social club and build a new stand there.

The big issue is that you'd have a lopsided stadium, you could only play home games, and squeezing 30,000 would be a push. I do genuinely believe it could be workable for Bulldogs v Port, and North v Freo, though.

 

[millsy29gopies]

There was plans in the early 90s by Alan McAlister to turn it into something big IIRC.

The move to the MCG and Westpac Centre was the right one as we have grown substantially.

Although I do wish we could have done VP up and had it as a 30,000 seater for games against GC, GWS etc instead of Etihad. Would be nice but we still have a Pies team play there so it's okay.

 

[76woodenspooners]

Maybe an opportunity might arise if Australia ever hosts the World Cup?

The host nation needs to provide 12 x 50,000 capacity stadiums for the event.

Presently we have built (or are presently being upgraded)

- MCG
- Docklands
- Sydney Olympic Stadium
- Football Park (Is it likely to be around for that much longer?)
- Adelaide Oval (should be > 50K in soccer configuration with temporary seating)
- SCG (ditto)

Add to that a likely ...

- A new / upgraded ground in Perth
- A new / upgraded ground in Brisbane

... that leaves four remaining stadiums to be built somewhere.

Surely Victoria Park would be as good a place as any?

I could imagine the biggest barrier would be the residents.

Anyway, that's not gong to happen until 2026 at the earliest. A lot could happen between now and then.

ps. This highlights how absurd it is having Qatar host the 2022 World Cup. Their whole country is smaller than the size of greater Sydney. They have a population of 1.8 million people. What are they going to do with 12 x 50,000 stadiums?!?

 

[KJpie]

If anything there were these obstinate characters like Russo who just seemed to get their back up and try to antagonise the crowd by favouring the other side as much as possible. I'm surprised some of these men actually got out of the ground in one piece.

The umpires were not under the pressure they are now, nor were the rules as complex, as you rightly stated WW they had more character and freedom back then and were respected more as a result.

 

[Robroy22]

As a Vicci Park regular since the 50's (our seats were above the race in the members) I have vivid memories of many great times there. The feeling was fantastic at all the old suburban grounds back then, but you wouldn't ever trade the facilities we have now. I'm glad we went to the G....because as good as Vicci Park was...it was unfair that so many pies fans couldn't get in to watch them play. Its true that teams did have "home ground advantages" in those days but it was more to do with knowledge of ground and wind conditions rather than the crowd influencing umpires. As much as the romantics here might like to imagine, umps don't go with the crowd. If anything they have always gone against the noisy supporters.
I love the new spirit that has emerged at the G. The long Collingwood chant is awesome when it echoes around the stadium and the players enjoy the best in ground and warmup facilities. The comfort and accessibility of the G is second to none and for country people (like me) its worth a trip to the big smoke to watch the boys play.
I think it was simple in the end. We grew too big for Vicci Park and moved to the greatest stadium in the country. I love that VP is used by our "seconds" and that kids still get to have a kick on the ground like we used to. It will always remain a true "field of dreams".

 

[fabulousphil]

Back in the early 1990's the Board led by Alan McAlister bought plenty of properties around Victoria park to create Magpie land or something similar. (name)

The cost of those properties in those days would have been minimal, the yuppies had not moved in and Abbotsford was not a desired place to live, unfortunately when the club started losing money, the properties were the first things sold, if the club had managed to hold onto them, they would be worth plenty of money now.

I actually love the history of Vic park, it is a real pity IMO that the club ( seniors) dont play there at all.

Who cares if a upgraded Vic Park only fitted 40k, just makes it all the more attractive to get a membership ....$$$$$, the Eagles do it well.

Could have a Vic Park membership (3 or 4 games a year), then your standard home game membership to see Collingwood at the MCG etc

 

[fabulousphil]

As a Vicci Park regular since the 50's (our seats were above the race in the members) I have vivid memories of many great times there. The feeling was fantastic at all the old suburban grounds back then, but you wouldn't ever trade the facilities we have now. I'm glad we went to the G....because as good as Vicci Park was...it was unfair that so many pies fans couldn't get in to watch them play. Its true that teams did have "home ground advantages" in those days but it was more to do with knowledge of ground and wind conditions rather than the crowd influencing umpires. As much as the romantics here might like to imagine, umps don't go with the crowd. If anything they have always gone against the noisy supporters.
I love the new spirit that has emerged at the G. The long Collingwood chant is awesome when it echoes around the stadium and the players enjoy the best in ground and warmup facilities. The comfort and accessibility of the G is second to none and for country people (like me) its worth a trip to the big smoke to watch the boys play.
I think it was simple in the end. We grew too big for Vicci Park and moved to the greatest stadium in the country. I love that VP is used by our "seconds" and that kids still get to have a kick on the ground like we used to. It will always remain a true "field of dreams".

First went to Vic park in the early 1970's, as a young kid, in the members stand as well, Collingwood was playing Fitzroy and i remember it being the biggest crowd i had ever seen, (probably 20,000 ), i was gobsmacked as the roar of the crowd moved around the ground.

Afterwards we wext to the Yarra hotel for a few beers ( fire engine for me ), my Father, grandfather and great grand father and his numerous cousins brothers etc were all staunch Collingwood people having lived in Collingwood or Abbotsford since the 1890's.

The well off ones moved to Northcote

 

[Quicky]

Ha memories. That photo of Kardinia Park reminds me of my second ever AFL game and school swimming sports (see top left). If anyone has been to Geelong lately you should check out the new light stands. They absolutely dominate the skyline. And look like giant Lacrosse sticks if you ask me. I do like how the architecture of the stands look like sails which ties in with the aesthetic of the rest of the city (check out the foreshore or botanical gardens). I think it is also very shrewd that they are now able to have night games and will be attracting other sports to the stadium in the off season and generating extra revenue for the club. Clever cookies.