Visy Park

[blueman91]

After attending Carlton-Brisbane on friday at Visy Park I was just pondering on how great it would be to play there again. Yes the ground may need to be changed a bit to suit AFL being there but surely it should be on the agenda of the AFL. However, as if they would want to give us an advantage and have that opportunity to play on our own surface. Seriously a redevelopment and some sort of capacity expansion would have to take place but as if part of the ground couldn't be developed so that another 10,000 plus capacity can be in the stadium. The stand to the left of the new facilities could be re-done and a whole new big significant stand could be put in place. I also think there is the opportunity for standing zones too, especially in areas like behind the goals and around where the dick pratt stand is. If things were planned properly we could have another 35-40,000 capacity stadium to take advantage of and once again we could truly start establishing the real sense of having a home ground advantage and not this garbage of 7 teams claiming a stadium as their own. Friday was such a great experience too!

 

[I LOVE THE CFC]

Imagine if this had paragraphs...

 

[Blues in 3 yrs.]

Great idea if plausible.

AFL won't go for it either. They wouldn't give the satisfaction

 

[HBF]

That would be the Gardiner Stand to the left of the redevelopment. This stand is heritage listed, and therefore cannot be knocked down. The AFL will have to do something with two new teams coming in 2011/2012, with the talk of two more coming after that, in terms of finding grounds that can house smaller crowds when these new teams play, and this will be the only way Princes Park is ever used again for AFL matches.

 

[AlecDuncan]

This stand is heritage listed, and therefore cannot be knocked down.

Apparently it can be left to fall down. It'll be interesting to see what happens to it once we've digested the redevelopment.

 

[HARKER]

Apparently it can be left to fall down. It'll be interesting to see what happens to it once we've digested the redevelopment.

There may be a tsunami coming our way, though

 

[BluesInTheSky]

Was good to see a game at Visy, never been there its a beautiful ground,

 

[KennyHunter9]

It was good to get back to PP on Friday.

However, administration in relation to the ground has shown no signs of becoming vaguely competent:

- Only one gate (the double gates 4 and 5 were open). You had to work inside around the ground to get anywhere. Never mind that for the most part the isles fit two people at a time. A big crowd was predicted and they could prepare for it.

- Hardly any drinks stations for a day of 35+ degrees (which was predicted and therefore could have been prepared for)

- The (literally) couldn't even dust off the Gardiner stand.

- Access to the shop was only from inside the ground and at the opposite end of gates 4 and 5. The consequence: at half time, despite a crowd of 10,000, there were 10 people inside the shop!!! What a wasted opportunity to sell some merchandise.

It's great to have the occasional game at PP but if we are serious about demonstrating the ground's credibility to people then some basic administration competence may be required.

 

[blue_ball]

Hope fitzy is the next CEO and things might change on the AFL stance on giving us a home ground again.... hell they might even throw us some cash to help with the renos!!!! hahahaha

 

[blues4flag]

Unfortunately the ground is no longer up to AFL standards. Would take a heap of work to be done and with the new facilities and heritage listed stand, we're severely restricted in how much the capacity can be expanded.

Public transport from the ground is also an issue as the nearest train station, while not that far, only runs along the Upfield line and is a fair distance from North Melbourne.

Not to mention even 35-40k capacity will mean the ground will be sold out most weeks.

 

[OldBlueFan]

While I think there will be a need for the place to host AFL games in the near future:

Melb or WB or NM v GWS or GC

It would be naive to think that Carlton will ever again get more than 1 or 2 token games there.

It is a shame though ... I HATE DOCKLANDS!

 

[The Toad]

Whilst the idea is good it would cost a shite load of money to get the ground up to scratch.
But in saying that I do think the AFL need to seriously look at smaller capacity venue to host the interstate teams that only draw a couple of 1000 people. It is costing certain clubs a bucket load of cash to play at etihad and it would cost a lot less to fix up PP and opposed to building another stadium.

 

[BlueMania]

I'd love to see a game or two there and would happily go to see a game against a low drawing team if I had the time. It's still a great venue.

 

[juzz88]

Agreed. Bring back PP.

I have very fond memories of going there to watch the Blues play with my Dad when I was a kid, and I'd love to be able to go watch games there again now that I'm older. And maybe one day even get to take my unborn kids there.

Etihad's a nice stadium, but it doesn't have the same feeling as playing at home at PP. The G is still obviously going to be where we play Essenscum and the Colliwobbles, but I think we could play maybe half of our home games at PP. Depending on the other team of course.

 

[OldBlueFan]

Whilst the idea is good it would cost a shite load of money to get the ground up to scratch.
But in saying that I do think the AFL need to seriously look at smaller capacity venue to host the interstate teams that only draw a couple of 1000 people. It is costing certain clubs a bucket load of cash to play at etihad and it would cost a lot less to fix up PP and opposed to building another stadium.

They can't do that Toaster (ooops, I mean ToaDster ) ... the idiots signed a contract with Docklands banning construction of another stadium in the Melbourne metro area for 20 or 30 years!

Princes Park is their only choice so they'll have to kick in to get it up to scratch. I reckon 40,000 capacity would be plenty.

 

[HBF]

I'd love nothing more that to see H&A games back at Visy Park, but it will never happen. It's just not up to AFL standard anymore, and we'll just have to appreciate it when the AFL schedule practice matches there.

 

[HARKER]

I'd love nothing more that to see H&A games back at Visy Park, but it will never happen. It's just not up to AFL standard anymore, and we'll just have to appreciate it when the AFL schedule practice matches there.

What's the problem with Visy?
I have no problem pulling out the splinters after a session at the great ground. Just part of the fun.

 

[SurreyBlue]

Don't get me started ...

 

[The Toad]

Don't get me started ...

Come on SB whats on your mind?

 

[Chodders]

the idiots signed a contract with Docklands banning construction of another stadium in the Melbourne metro area for 20 or 30 years!
QUOTE]

So they will try to build one outside the Melbourne Metro area: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-world-cup-stadium-push/story-e6frf9jf-1225835825699

As much as I would love to return to PP, I can't see it happening.

 

[OldBlueFan]

the idiots signed a contract with Docklands banning construction of another stadium in the Melbourne metro area for 20 or 30 years!
QUOTE]

So they will try to build one outside the Melbourne Metro area: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/geelong-world-cup-stadium-push/story-e6frf9jf-1225835825699

As much as I would love to return to PP, I can't see it happening.

That's just bizarre ... why wouldn't they consider doing that to Princes Park instead ... man there must be some bad blood around for them not to consider PP as the sensible alternative!