Rumour AFL to buy / take control of regional AFL venue.

[WillHayward]

There a lot of football fans in Geelong and western districts that are not Geelong supporters.

Western bulldogs would be an ideal co tenant.

On the very rare occasion other events are held at GMHBA those events draw excellent crowds.

It's an interesting proposition.

It might not be about making money but losing less.
For example Dogs v GWS at Kardinia Park might lose money but might lose less money than the same fixture at Docklands . Depends on stadium costs.

 

[olds]

The stadium is in Geelong. Western Bulldogs are a Melbourne team.

I don't see any Ballarat teams in the AFL either, Games would have to be moved if AFL were to purchase a regional venue.
Purchase the best stadium that's only used 9 times a year.

 

[WillHayward]

The stadium is in Geelong. Western Bulldogs are a Melbourne team.

Dogs already play home games in Ballarat though.

 

[Supercoach Bargain]

The low drawing games that North an Hawthorn dump in Tassie will go to Ballarat when the Tassie team come in.

 

[olds]

Geelong team play home games in Melbourne

 

[The 747]

Geelong team play home games in Melbourne

Geelong team are forced by the AFL to play home games in Melbourne. Geelong request 11 home games every year, they get 8 or 9.

 

[Borussia Teeth]

Dogs already play home games in Ballarat though.

Exactly. Will piss a lot of people off by moving clubs around multiple regional venues, when they’ve spent years building up support.

 

[beema limapep]

I can see Ballarat potentially being developed and then used similar to a proposed 20,000-25,000 seat 3rd Melbourne boutique venue, minus the Melbourne location.

It will already hold 16k with the new 5k stand coming so it will basically be one more 5 to 7k stand to get it right.

North, Bulldogs and possibly StKilda, Melbourne and Hawthorn playing 3-4 games a year each when they play Suns, GWS, Adelaide, Port, Westcoast, Freo, Tas and Team 20 in Vic to justify its use.

You could get 15-20 games a year there to justify its use.

 

[Syd]

Geelong team play home games in Melbourne

Not by their choice.

Check who they play in their 'Home' games at the MCG each year.

 

[Roogal]

One thing is that Kardinia Park is just 400m walk from Sth Geelong train station while MARS is 3km from Ballarat train station. Big difference.

Makes MARS a bit s**t to be honest..

If I could jump on a train from Southern Cross and walk into the stadium in Ballarat after an hour train ride id absolutely happily do that .

Could see North and Doggies fans going to Ballarat if it was a decent stadium and easy to get to.

At least there is a train line right next to Mars Stadium. This has been a sticking point between the various key stakeholders in Ballarat and the State Government. The stadium users, various politicians, Ballarat Council and Chamber of Commerce have all clearly stated their case for a new train platform next to Mars Stadium and a major upgrade to its lighting which would honestly transform the way that the place is used.

 

[The Educator]

Not by their choice.

Check who they play in their 'Home' games at the MCG each year.

Actually, it is by their choice.

This has repeatedly been communicated by CEOs / presidents of Geelong that they want to play games in Melbourne to service their Melbourne based members

 

[Roogal]

The low drawing games that North an Hawthorn dump in Tassie will go to Ballarat when the Tassie team come in.

It's feasible, although Tassie might choose to hang on to the Hawks in order to keep Launceston Stadium ticking over. Also as i have stated previously, Tassie is not completely a done deal yet. They still have to get the new stadium off the ground and it is looking shaky at this point. There is an increasing level of pushback over in Tassie against it. Jeff Kennett wrote a good critique in the HS last week where he questioned why it was the AFL and the AFL only, who put the stipulation that the Tassie franchise was totally conditional on a stadium with a roof. It's a good point. Consider that Sydney has an average of 1175 mm rainfall per year, Brisbane 777 mm, Melbourne 650 mm, Perth 596 mm, Adelaide 588 mm and Canberra 580 mm, while Hobart actually only gets 565 mm. These figures aren't a misprint. So what is the rationale for an expensive roof over a new stadium in Hobart? Is it really a tactic by the AFL to ensure that a Tassie franchise was always never going to get off the ground?

 

[CharacterFirst]

It's feasible, although Tassie might choose to hang on to the Hawks in order to keep Launceston Stadium ticking over. Also as i have stated previously, Tassie is not completely a done deal yet. They still have to get the new stadium off the ground and it is looking shaky at this point. There is an increasing level of pushback over in Tassie against it. Jeff Kennett wrote a good critique in the HS last week where he questioned why it was the AFL and the AFL only, who put the stipulation that the Tassie franchise was totally conditional on a stadium with a roof. It's a good point. Consider that Sydney has an average of 1175 mm rainfall per year, Brisbane 777 mm, Melbourne 650 mm, Perth 596 mm, Adelaide 588 mm and Canberra 580 mm, while Hobart actually only gets 565 mm. These figures aren't a misprint. So what is the rationale for an expensive roof over a new stadium in Hobart? Is it really a tactic by the AFL to ensure that a Tassie franchise was always never going to get off the ground?

Well.... it's flipping freezing in Hobart.

 

[bigblueboy]

Geelong team are forced by the AFL to play home games in Melbourne. Geelong request 11 home games every year, they get 8 or 9.

Geelong has more members with a Melbourne postcode than a Geelong postcode. The club privately wants to maintain a small number of Melbourne home games.

 

[bigblueboy]

Mars Stadium has been incredibly poorly managed by City of Ballarat/North Ballarat Sports Club.
The state government has poured million into the facilities with little community benefit and very few sporting/cultural events attracted.
The AFL taking over the ground would be a win for everyone - as long as there remains a commitment that local leagues and users can maintain a level of access.

 

[The 747]

Geelong has more members with a Melbourne postcode than a Geelong postcode. The club privately wants to maintain a small number of Melbourne home games.

Oh I see, so what they say publicly is a lie then? And you know this how?

 

[olds]

Mars Stadium has been incredibly poorly managed by City of Ballarat/North Ballarat Sports Club.
The state government has poured million into the facilities with little community benefit and very few sporting/cultural events attracted.
The AFL taking over the ground would be a win for everyone - as long as there remains a commitment that local leagues and users can maintain a level of access.

Insert "GMHBA" where it says Mars and City of Geelong where it say Ballarat and muli Millions where it say's Million.

You would have the same arguement.

 

[olds]

Oh I see, so what they say publicly is a lie then? And you know this how?

Geelong request the AFL to play their home game against Collingwood at the MCG every year.

Its a profit driven decision . 80,000 vs 30,000 paying spectators.

 

[The 747]

Geelong request the AFL to play their home game against Collingwood at the MCG every year.

Its a profit driven decision . 80,000 vs 30,000 paying spectators.

We would make more money hosting Collingwood in Geelong. But the AFL/Pies won't allow it.

But tell yourself what you like to rationalise the fact that the Pies never play an away game against Geelong.

 

[Bostonian]

Was mentioned on the Rumour File on 3AW this morning. I was thinking maybe Mars Stadium in Ballarat but they seemed to indicate the target may be Kardinia Park.

As a footy fan it would be great to see the venue used more but as a Geelong supporter / person, I'm not sure I'd like to see the city give up such a valuable asset and for the club to lose such a financial windfall as they have with current arrangment.

For Richmond supporters reading this, please call Lifeline or Beyond Blue.

With all the money that was piled into it by taxpayers it was supposed to be a community stadium.

Until they made it so expensive local leagues couldn't afford to use it.

Karma if it happens.

 

[3207]

It's feasible, although Tassie might choose to hang on to the Hawks in order to keep Launceston Stadium ticking over. Also as i have stated previously, Tassie is not completely a done deal yet. They still have to get the new stadium off the ground and it is looking shaky at this point. There is an increasing level of pushback over in Tassie against it. Jeff Kennett wrote a good critique in the HS last week where he questioned why it was the AFL and the AFL only, who put the stipulation that the Tassie franchise was totally conditional on a stadium with a roof. It's a good point. Consider that Sydney has an average of 1175 mm rainfall per year, Brisbane 777 mm, Melbourne 650 mm, Perth 596 mm, Adelaide 588 mm and Canberra 580 mm, while Hobart actually only gets 565 mm. These figures aren't a misprint. So what is the rationale for an expensive roof over a new stadium in Hobart? Is it really a tactic by the AFL to ensure that a Tassie franchise was always never going to get off the ground?

Sydney gets all that rain in January during their test match and on Golden Slipper Day.

It’s dry pretty much the rest of the year

 

[TheEscapeClub]

There a lot of football fans in Geelong and western districts that are not Geelong supporters.

Western bulldogs would be an ideal co tenant.

On the very rare occasion other events are held at GMHBA those events draw excellent crowds.

The Dogs already asked the AFL a few years ago and the AFL said nope.

 

[Borussia Teeth]

We would make more money hosting Collingwood in Geelong. But the AFL/Pies won't allow it.

But tell yourself what you like to rationalise the fact that the Pies never play an away game against Geelong.

I’d be more than happy to play Geelong at Kardinia Park.

Is there an official Geelong club position on playing ALL home games at KP? This would include vs Collingwood. Plus what happens to Easter Monday vs Hawthorn?

 

[The 747]

I’d be more than happy to play Geelong at Kardinia Park.

Is there an official Geelong club position on playing ALL home games at KP? This would include vs Collingwood. Plus what happens to Easter Monday vs Hawthorn?

Yes we have requested 11 home games at KP since the lights were put in. However being realistic that isn't going to happen due to MCG contracts and the like. If we spent a good period of time down the bottom though we might get 11 at home.

Therefore IF we have to play games in Melbourne we request Easter Monday and games against the biggest drawing clubs.

If Collingwood asked to play at KP that would be interesting since there is a chance the AFL would say no.

 

[olds]

Yes we have requested 11 home games at KP since the lights were put in. However being realistic that isn't going to happen due to MCG contracts and the like. If we spent a good period of time down the bottom though we might get 11 at home.

Therefore IF we have to play games in Melbourne we request Easter Monday and games against the biggest drawing clubs.

If Collingwood asked to play at KP that would be interesting since there is a chance the AFL would say no.

Last game I went to at KP was Geelong vs Collingwood.

Geelong won

Ben Graham was playing in the reserves .

Got there for the last 1/4 of resies saw him kick out from full back city end, the ball landed in the centre ,remember thinking WTF.

Was standing under the scoreboard city end Moorabool st side. Must have been early 90's.

Havn't been able to get in since Geelong started winning and they have all got on the bandwagon.