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Australia getting the FIFA World Cup could be a great opportunity for the AFL?
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Your memory is fading.....just to remind you, this is what you said. Not that long ago either.
Chuq said:
Multiple new venues - the Ikea flatpack stadium.
Then you've completely missed the point. The FFA aren't going to get impressive new rectangular stadiums in Perth and Adelaide - so if they go down the cheap route, the bid will be a joke. If they actually want to win, they need to get other sporting bodies (eg. the SANFL and WAFC) on board to fund the bloody things by having them play there.
Think about it - we need a massive number of new stadiums - around 8. There are already going to be a few small regional cities like Canberra, Newcastle and Townsville with minimum standard stadiums that are going to be very hard to sell in the first place. They can't afford Adelaide to be another one of those.
OK, next question, do we have any plans for these stadiums?
The new multi-purpose stadium in Perth has been shelved (ok, this will probably be revived if we are successful), the SA Government will not fund any new stadia after the Liberal's Hindmarsh fiasco, the FFA won't consider a revamped AAMI Stadium (even if it did become FIFA compliant), and I doubt the Adelaide City Council would allow Adelaide Oval's hills to be torn up for the World Cup, Tasmania, ACT and NT don't have the populations to support a 45 000+ seat stadium.
OK, that leaves us at 6 stadia that can be used if Perth gets its new stadium. What's FIFA's minimum, 10-12. Where are we going to get the other 4-6 stadia from? Are there any plans for these stadiums currently. Besides the new one in Perth, there's not even any conceptual plans for stadia if we win the world cup. If we stand a serious chance of getting the World Cup, then plans will need to be released for new stadia, subject to us winning the World Cup of course. For example, 1 for Adelaide, 1 for Gold Coast, 1 for NSW Central Coast, 1 somewhere else. Who will fund these? I don't know.
Would we have been better off launching a co-bid with New Zealand? Dumb question perhaps, but there's lots of stadium work being done over there for the 2011 rugby world cup. I'm not sure if any are going to have 45000+ capacity, but if they are, then between Australia and New Zealand we'd have probably 8-9 FIFA compliant stadia, with only 2-3 needing to be built instead of 6-8 in Australia.
Am I rambling on
Well, I've been following the progress of the bid over the last year or two, here are some things you've missed:
* Melbourne and Sydney will most likely be able to have two stadia each.
* Canberra and Tasmania are capable of hosting 45k stadiums (which can be downsized post-WC) Geelong, Townsville, Wollongong are also options.
* FIFA doesn't like co-hosted bids, especially between two nations without a land border in different confederations with different currencies, where the distance between the two furthest cities would be in excess of 5000km.
* There are plans for additional stadiums. Canberra and Newcastle have their own rebuild/redevelop plans. Gold Coast will probably get Carrara upgraded to 40k because Robina isn't structurally designed to go past its current size. FFA has a stadium design (see my previous posts) which can be used for smaller areas where a 45k stadium might not be used to its full capacity after the WC.
* "Who will fund these?" The WC will inject over $5b (even more by 2018) into the economy. I think that will cover it. Don't forget a WC will also spur investment into transport, accommodation, tourism industry, etc.
They are spending $45m on this, I know it might seem like you have just discovered a major flaw in the plan, but I'm sure they considered basic stuff like "we might need some new stadiums" before deciding to bid.
Yes, I remember that comment. You said it, not Ben Buckley. It's your way of making "cost efficient" into "cheap and nasty".
Put it this way - Robina Stadium and Suncorp Stadium are the same design. Yes, obviously different, but STRUCTURALLY they are the same basic design. If 4 cities are going to be requiring a 45k stadium, and they also all want to downsize their capacity afterwards, does it make sense to do the architecture and engineering work four times? Obviously there will be variations, environmental and land differences will require it, and non structural elements such as facades etc. can vary. I hardly think FFA is stupid enough to put a bid document forward with half the stadia completely identical.
It seems like the only difference between "your ideal situation" and "a joke bid" is Adelaide's stadium. With FIFA asking for two >80k and the rest >45k, surely a 100k, 85k, 60k, 55k, 50k and some 45k's should do the job? You're also assuming that cheap cost means make of balsawood and assembled with allen keys. They are cheaper because of the benefits of economies of scale in doing the engineering work once instead of four times.
What's wrong with "minimum standard" - for Australia's population distribution, you will always have a small number of "big icon" ones and the rest spread out over the nation. I'm just optimistic that "same design" won't mean "identical clone". One of the major complaints is that smaller cities would not have any use for a 45k stadium after the WC - well, this addresses that perfectly.
I'd say it be a good thing to read what forum member Rob (guy with the ACDC avatar) says, he knows his stuff, I think is a regular on the Austadiums site and a pretty rational bloke who sees through sentiment and is happy to play devil advocate.
Australia is up against the USA, who's only short comming is that they have hosted in the not to distant past, else Australia would have not hope.
It is ridiculous that Asia is not putting forword united support for one bid, with the water further muddied by the idiotic ego bid from Qatar. Australia desperatly need the AFC to get behind them and for Japan, South Korea to drop their bids (Japan will only procede if Tokyo wins the 2016 Summer Olympic Games), greedy to want is only 16 or 20 years after 2002. Indonesia have every right to bid but Australia is so far ahead of them, we should be Asia's focus.
Their is no way in hell this bid can work when the FFA are talking about Flatpack stadiums. Rob is exactly right when he says it needs the full cooperation of the SANFL, WAFC and maybe even SACA. The games being played by the governments and governing bodies in SA and WA will sink the bid. Adelaide Oval as a venue will not win FIFA over, nor will the we will only build it, if you come attitude. A Stadium legacy is very important to FIFA, conditional building of stadiums doesn't give the right impression to FIFA even if it is sensible. It is a strong reason why Morocco was knocked out of the 2010 race. The USA will boast world class infrastructure and we can't go cheap in an effort to defeat them. The new generation of NFL stadium are build with soccer fitting dimensions and regardless of aesthetics have the highest comfort standards in the world. They Also are avaibable because the World Cup take's place during the NFL offseason.
On top of the required Stadiums needed, there is also the need for Hotel rooms. Canberra apparently will need to build 3 more 5 star hotels, I have no idea if Canberra has any need for that post games, could these buildings be refitted as offices post games?
Luckily the rest of Australia's potential host cities are coastal, any need for more accomodation can be filled with Cruise Ships such as what Jacksonville used for the 2004 Superbowl.
As for the venues themselves and how the World Cup would effect the AFL, NRL and Super 14's (what ever it will be called by 2022), It will vary greatly City to City.
Super Rugby's Australian franchised can temporarely play out of Ballymore is Brissy, Parramatta Stadium in Sydney, the WACA in Perth and maybe Skilled Stadium in Geelong for the future Melbourne team if the Melbourne stadiums are tied up. Also the Australian Teams could play outside Australia in NZ and RSA when the Cup is on.
Though I have know idea what ground rationalisation will look like for the NRL by 2022, Sydney still have a nice deal of suburban grounds that are currently used with only the Roosters playing out of the SFS and the Bulldogs at ANZ stadium. Games can move to the showgrounds (former Olympic Baseball) stadium and for nostalgic reasons the SCG.
The Newcastle Knights are only 2 hours from Sydney, so they can play out of Gosford's Bluetounge Stadium or Stadium in Sydney Metro.
The Broncos could play out of the Qld Sports Centre (formally QEll/ANZ), Ballymore or the Gabba. As and Architect, I see no reason why the Gold Coast's Skilled Park can't be expanded to 45 000, some here said it would have to be leveled and re built, it in not so hard to remove a roof and add a second tier. The current tier's are not supported by the facade/roof, it is merely a skin. The Titans can play out of Carrara with the AFL's GCFC.
Townsville North Qld Cowboys could maybe play out of Cairns or go on an extended road trip while having home games successively at the seasons early rounds and later.
Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies could play at Manuka or stay at Bruce/Canberra Stadium if the ACT take up the new stadium option. I imagine Canberra stadium would then be demolished or retrofitted for Australian Football (used to be an Athletic Stadium).
Melbourne Storm could play out of Skilled Stadium.
Tasmania's Aurora Stadium could host numerous more AFL matches.
Perth could be problematic depending on what sollution is persued. Perth has a good chance of gaining an NRL side for 2013 which would assist greatly in the rational for a dedicated Rectangular Stadium (12 more home games) to be used by the Force and WA Reds in Winter and Glory in Summer. Perth will safely have over 2 million people by 2018, their could be evidence to suggest that a 45 000 seat stadium could work by that time. If a dedicated Rectangular Stadium was used, then the Perth Rugby teams could play out of the WACA.
If Perth was to build a multipurpose Stadium then there is the problem of where do the Eagles and Dockers play. The WACA has been reshaped and can no longer fit an Australian Football field. The the WA team play interstate and play successive home games at the start and end of the the season?
Adelaide seems a bigger venue mess than Perth. No idea if AMII will be around then, and if so, the Crows and Power will not be effected by the Cup as AMII will not be used. If SA build a multipurpose stadium which I prefer but needs the SANFL to change their minds than the Crows and Power could play out of Adelaide Oval assuming the SACA are cooperative.
Non of this considers the need for practice venues for the National teams which could soak up many high quality suburban grounds like those in the QRL, South Melbournes LakeSide and the likes of the WACA maybe.
Biggest Problem which I did not include because I can't think of a solution is that currently FIFA REQUIRE that World Cup venues are not to be used for 6 week prior to the Cup, to let the pitch mature to optimal conditions. Does FIFA relax that for Australia or reject us for a country that can do this with no problems ie the USA.
Later I'll post a rough diagram of my plan for a Hobart venue which we have a post Cup capacity of 22 000 and serve as an oval for cricket and Australian Football. For those that care it is in principle a reverse of the City of Manchester Stadium which was converted from Commonwealth games stadium to rectangular home of Man City.
Ok my WC would have:
Sydney: ANZ and an updated SFS
Melbourne: MCG and an Expanded Bubbledome
Brisbane: Suncorp (not sure if they increase capacity but I'd like to see it over 60 000)
Perth: New Rectangular Stadium or 70 000 Multipurpose Stadium (taskforce's plan) and Perth to host a group but not take part in post group stage because of logistical travelling of thousands of fans.
Adelaide: Multipurpose for future home of Crows, Power and international soccer and Rugby.
Gold Coast: Expanded Skilled Park
Newcastle: Expanded Energy Australia Stadium
Canberra: New Stadium, Canberra Stadium converted for Australian Football (which is currently proposed as an option)
Wollongong: New Stadium, post Cup decreased
Townsville: New Stadium, Dairy Farmers (what ever it is called) is a joke, post Cup decreased.
Hobart: New Stadium, post Cup converted to an Oval for Australian Football
The close proximety of Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong should be of no concern as they are further apart than J'Burg, Rustenburg and Pretoria. Or in Englands 2018 plan with Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds.
Australia is up against the USA, who's only short comming is that they have hosted in the not to distant past, else Australia would have not hope.
It is ridiculous that Asia is not putting forword united support for one bid, with the water further muddied by the idiotic ego bid from Qatar. Australia desperatly need the AFC to get behind them and for Japan, South Korea to drop their bids (Japan will only procede if Tokyo wins the 2016 Summer Olympic Games), greedy to want is only 16 or 20 years after 2002. Indonesia have every right to bid but Australia is so far ahead of them, we should be Asia's focus.
Their is no way in hell this bid can work when the FFA are talking about Flatpack stadiums. Rob is exactly right when he says it needs the full cooperation of the SANFL, WAFC and maybe even SACA. The games being played by the governments and governing bodies in SA and WA will sink the bid. Adelaide Oval as a venue will not win FIFA over, nor will the we will only build it, if you come attitude. A Stadium legacy is very important to FIFA, conditional building of stadiums doesn't give the right impression to FIFA even if it is sensible. It is a strong reason why Morocco was knocked out of the 2010 race. The USA will boast world class infrastructure and we can't go cheap in an effort to defeat them. The new generation of NFL stadium are build with soccer fitting dimensions and regardless of aesthetics have the highest comfort standards in the world. They Also are avaibable because the World Cup take's place during the NFL offseason.
On top of the required Stadiums needed, there is also the need for Hotel rooms. Canberra apparently will need to build 3 more 5 star hotels, I have no idea if Canberra has any need for that post games, could these buildings be refitted as offices post games?
Luckily the rest of Australia's potential host cities are coastal, any need for more accomodation can be filled with Cruise Ships such as what Jacksonville used for the 2004 Superbowl.
As for the venues themselves and how the World Cup would effect the AFL, NRL and Super 14's (what ever it will be called by 2022), It will vary greatly City to City.
Super Rugby's Australian franchised can temporarely play out of Ballymore is Brissy, Parramatta Stadium in Sydney, the WACA in Perth and maybe Skilled Stadium in Geelong for the future Melbourne team if the Melbourne stadiums are tied up. Also the Australian Teams could play outside Australia in NZ and RSA when the Cup is on.
Though I have know idea what ground rationalisation will look like for the NRL by 2022, Sydney still have a nice deal of suburban grounds that are currently used with only the Roosters playing out of the SFS and the Bulldogs at ANZ stadium. Games can move to the showgrounds (former Olympic Baseball) stadium and for nostalgic reasons the SCG.
The Newcastle Knights are only 2 hours from Sydney, so they can play out of Gosford's Bluetounge Stadium or Stadium in Sydney Metro.
The Broncos could play out of the Qld Sports Centre (formally QEll/ANZ), Ballymore or the Gabba. As and Architect, I see no reason why the Gold Coast's Skilled Park can't be expanded to 45 000, some here said it would have to be leveled and re built, it in not so hard to remove a roof and add a second tier. The current tier's are not supported by the facade/roof, it is merely a skin. The Titans can play out of Carrara with the AFL's GCFC.
Townsville North Qld Cowboys could maybe play out of Cairns or go on an extended road trip while having home games successively at the seasons early rounds and later.
Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies could play at Manuka or stay at Bruce/Canberra Stadium if the ACT take up the new stadium option. I imagine Canberra stadium would then be demolished or retrofitted for Australian Football (used to be an Athletic Stadium).
Melbourne Storm could play out of Skilled Stadium.
Tasmania's Aurora Stadium could host numerous more AFL matches.
Perth could be problematic depending on what sollution is persued. Perth has a good chance of gaining an NRL side for 2013 which would assist greatly in the rational for a dedicated Rectangular Stadium (12 more home games) to be used by the Force and WA Reds in Winter and Glory in Summer. Perth will safely have over 2 million people by 2018, their could be evidence to suggest that a 45 000 seat stadium could work by that time. If a dedicated Rectangular Stadium was used, then the Perth Rugby teams could play out of the WACA.
If Perth was to build a multipurpose Stadium then there is the problem of where do the Eagles and Dockers play. The WACA has been reshaped and can no longer fit an Australian Football field. The the WA team play interstate and play successive home games at the start and end of the the season?
Adelaide seems a bigger venue mess than Perth. No idea if AMII will be around then, and if so, the Crows and Power will not be effected by the Cup as AMII will not be used. If SA build a multipurpose stadium which I prefer but needs the SANFL to change their minds than the Crows and Power could play out of Adelaide Oval assuming the SACA are cooperative.
Non of this considers the need for practice venues for the National teams which could soak up many high quality suburban grounds like those in the QRL, South Melbournes LakeSide and the likes of the WACA maybe.
Biggest Problem which I did not include because I can't think of a solution is that currently FIFA REQUIRE that World Cup venues are not to be used for 6 week prior to the Cup, to let the pitch mature to optimal conditions. Does FIFA relax that for Australia or reject us for a country that can do this with no problems ie the USA.
Later I'll post a rough diagram of my plan for a Hobart venue which we have a post Cup capacity of 22 000 and serve as an oval for cricket and Australian Football. For those that care it is in principle a reverse of the City of Manchester Stadium which was converted from Commonwealth games stadium to rectangular home of Man City.
Ok my WC would have:
Sydney: ANZ and an updated SFS
Melbourne: MCG and an Expanded Bubbledome
Brisbane: Suncorp (not sure if they increase capacity but I'd like to see it over 60 000)
Perth: New Rectangular Stadium or 70 000 Multipurpose Stadium (taskforce's plan) and Perth to host a group but not take part in post group stage because of logistical travelling of thousands of fans.
Adelaide: Multipurpose for future home of Crows, Power and international soccer and Rugby.
Gold Coast: Expanded Skilled Park
Newcastle: Expanded Energy Australia Stadium
Canberra: New Stadium, Canberra Stadium converted for Australian Football (which is currently proposed as an option)
Wollongong: New Stadium, post Cup decreased
Townsville: New Stadium, Dairy Farmers (what ever it is called) is a joke, post Cup decreased.
Hobart: New Stadium, post Cup converted to an Oval for Australian Football
The close proximety of Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong should be of no concern as they are further apart than J'Burg, Rustenburg and Pretoria. Or in Englands 2018 plan with Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds.
If it weren't compliant with FIFA ground standards it wouldn't be hosting Australia vs. Japan on Wednesday. What goes for qualifiers also applies for the actual World Cup. It's why Adelaide won't get considered for any internationals, friendly or qualifying game without it.
Besides, distance from pitch to stands ... have you seen how big the Olympiastadion in Berlin is? It too was an Olympic stadium with all the same specifications. It's more or less the same size as the MCG and hosted the final in 2006.
^ Yeah the MCG is a funny one. Athletic Stadiums tend to be longer but narrower than the MCG and other true cricket grounds. Subiaco Oval is the closest in shape to an Athletics stadium. Berlin Olympic Stadium is 190m /110m as the MCG is 174m /149m.
I Love the MCG and love the idea of it playing a part in a World Cup yet the view is not great, especially in the ground tier where the rake is only 12 to 14 degrees. That being said you are right that if it was not FIFA sanctioned than Australia vs Japan would not be taking part.
I Love the MCG and love the idea of it playing a part in a World Cup yet the view is not great, especially in the ground tier where the rake is only 12 to 14 degrees. That being said you are right that if it was not FIFA sanctioned than Australia vs Japan would not be taking part.
Wonaeamirri33
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Actually asia has the biggest tv audience, so would work out well
just suck for europe.Alot of the euro matches could be played at night here, or is there rules against playing night matches? so it would be broadcast in the day/morning over in europe.
Is this true? I've heard a few times but never by an official. I would hate for the AFL to have to give up the MCG Perth and Adelaide stadiums for 10 weeks, I'ld rather not have it.
If it's only for 4 weeks we could easily work around it. if we have the split round the first and second week of the WC then their will be only 3 x 9 = 27 games that would have to find alternate venues. with the gabba, carrara, skilled, and scg hosting 3 home games and have docklands host 10 games with the remaing 5 spread out between manuka marara and aurora.
Unfortunately I'm about to leave work so don't have time to reply to your whole post... but Tasmania already has three major oval venues, why would you build a rectangular venue - a golden opportunity for Tasmania which currently does not have one, and without a WC stadium, would probably not get one for a long time - and then convert it to a FOURTH oval venue?
Ok, Let's have a look at who will beat us. Below is a list of countrys who have bidded: Australia, England, indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, America, South Korea, Qatar, and joint bids from belguim and netherlands and portugal and spain. the 2018 and 2022 world cups will be decided together. Lets Assume a country in Europe get the 2018 world cup. This means that the 2022 world cup cannot be played in Europe. This makes our competition Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, America, Qatar and South Korea. Who, out of those countries, do you expect it to go to? The only competition in there comes from Japan and America. Japan hosted it in 2002, so you would think a 20 year gap between hosting a world cup would be too small. America have also hosted the world cup before, and being a "non soccer" nation I don't believe they will get it again. Who do you think will beat us?
Thanks for answering an earlier question of mine
Rutherford Hayes
Senior List
Nothing would benefit the AFL more than the Socceroos getting bundled out in straight sets of the group phase, right here on our own doorstep.
Whoa man, you're so ****ing Australian that you want Australia to FAIL! I can just feel the intense, unrelenting, hardcore Australianess radiating from you.
Actually asia has the biggest tv audience, so would work out well
Alot of the euro matches could be played at night here, or is there rules against playing night matches? so it would be broadcast in the day/morning over in europe.
Correct, Europe won't be an issue as evening/night games here would be early to mid morning in Europe which is not an issue.
Asia is cherry ripe, it's the America''s that would be the worst TV wise, but in all honesty it really is TV in Asia (for the growing market) and Europe (the traditional base) which we have to worry about and I don't think it is an issue.
DST
All this talk on stadiums is nonsense.
The federal government will probably end up spending a couple of billion on infrastructure projects, of which a fair chunk will be on a new stadium for both Perth and Adelaide.
They only need to be 40,000 all seaters which both could be built (with interesting designs) for less than $500 million (see Melbournes Recangular Stadium), the rest will be upgrades to bring them up to the required 40,000 seats.
Not to mention, the bids must state what type of soccer legacy will the cup leave and what a better one than providing purpose built stadiums in two states that didn't have one for soccer.
So it will be as is or upgraded, Stadium Australia, SFS, MCG, BubbleDome, Skilled Park, Suncorp, Energy Australia Stadium and prossibly three new stadiums for Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.
All at least 40,000 all seated, with the final more than 80,000 for either the G or Stadium Australia,
DST
The federal government will probably end up spending a couple of billion on infrastructure projects, of which a fair chunk will be on a new stadium for both Perth and Adelaide.
They only need to be 40,000 all seaters which both could be built (with interesting designs) for less than $500 million (see Melbournes Recangular Stadium), the rest will be upgrades to bring them up to the required 40,000 seats.
Not to mention, the bids must state what type of soccer legacy will the cup leave and what a better one than providing purpose built stadiums in two states that didn't have one for soccer.
So it will be as is or upgraded, Stadium Australia, SFS, MCG, BubbleDome, Skilled Park, Suncorp, Energy Australia Stadium and prossibly three new stadiums for Perth, Adelaide and Canberra.
All at least 40,000 all seated, with the final more than 80,000 for either the G or Stadium Australia,
DST
Got it in one.
If England get it in 2018, it can only be between us and the USA for 2022.
The smart money is on Lowy doing a back room deal to swing the Asian bank of votes to England for 2018 then to have Europe return the favour to us for 2022.
As soon as they went to two bids at once for 2018 and 2022, we just about assured of 2022 at least.
DST
jackmac7
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So the obvious new stadiums would be Adelaide and Perth. Making those two stadiums rectangular would be a waste post WC. Can't see Adelaide and Perth Glory A-league teams and the Force playing in front of 8,000 people in a 70,000 seat billion dollar stadium, no NRL and maybe the one Socceroo game and one Wallaby game per year if lucky, While West Coast and the Crows are struggling to fit 40k and 50k in their run down stadiums.
AFL playing in new Stadiums that are either multi purpose or re-designed post WC would fill the stands and pull profits.
AFL playing in new Stadiums that are either multi purpose or re-designed post WC would fill the stands and pull profits.
can't see us beating Uncle Sam
No-one has said that they are going to build billion dollar 70k stadiums.
Multipurpose stadiums would suit both of these cities, but it requires compromises from both sides.
If AFL teams are bursting at the seams, where does all the money from tickets and memberships go to? Surely they can afford to upgrade their own stadiums if that is the desired end result.
If they want partial government/FFA funding so the stadiums can be multipurpose, I'm sure everyone would be happy with the end result, so long as the venue is not run by one particular code in the end (eg. as SANFL wants in Adelaide).
If they (WAFC/SANFL) demands control, then I think FFA would rather go for a 45k rectangular one even if it is downsized after the event.
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there's plenty to read there.......
at the very least and as i understand it, a wc host needs to provide at least ten stadiums in nine cities, i.e., only one city can provide two stadiums. from what ive heard from the bid officials, stadia need to have a minimum of 45k capacity, two with minimum 80k.
japan/korea was different due to the hosting arrangement, and brazil will have 12 stadiums due to the geographical size of the country. australia may possibly be required to provide extra stadia like brazil.
so....
1. Sydney - stad aust
2. Melbourne - mcg
3. Sydney / Melbourne
4. Brisbane - lang park
5. Perth - new stadium (multipurpose)
6. Adelaide - new stadium (multipurpose)
7. Newcastle - upgraded stadium
8. Gold Coast - upgraded Robina stadium / new stadium (multi purpose)
9. Townsville - upgraded stadium
10. Canberra/Hobart/Wollongong - all getting a gig if twelve stadia are required.
who knows about the final. it will be a political issue between nsw & vic state govts, federal govt, and the ffa and probably open to bidding. if one gets the final, the other may get two venues. but that's doubtful. the city to win the final will probably have the package of two venues to go with it.
When will people get it through their heads that soccer does not want to co-exist with Australian Rules - the only way it can prosper is to wipe our game out. They will do their level best to make sure that any new infrastructure benefits their game and not ours. Lowy will use his billionaire influence to get government funding to build rectangular stadiums up and down the country that cannot be used for football or cricket - there will be no money left for Australian Rules stadiums. Look at what has already happenned in Victoria - Brumby has built a $280m stadium for soccer and rugby with public money, but has put nothing into AFL stadiums, letting AFL clubs go to the wall. You have to ask why Melbourne needed a state of the art rectangular stadium when many European and South American countries have stadiums with athletics tracks around the pitch. Athletics has been kicked out of Olympic Park- presumably we don't ned any more Cathy Freemans. Nowadays soccer takes all, eliminating everything in its path, like Patterson's Curse , or cholera.
Two points.
The Victorian Government has put forward alot of money in refurbishing many suburban club training facilities and the MCG. Not $280m agree, but to say it's nothing which is wrong and to then link this with why clubs are struggling is a long bow to draw.
Actually Collingwood if it get's it's way, will kick out Athletics from Olympic Park (Eddie being on both Boards, it'll probably happen). The idea was to build a replacement athletics track around Lakeside Oval. The Bubbledome is on an adjacent site.
Can you please remind me how much the AFL World Cup brings in to the country? Or AFL in general?
Are you also unaware of what happened for the Sydney Olympic football competition? Docklands stadium was built, Gabba upgraded, Mcg upgraded. What did soccer get? hindmarsh stadium. (Which is now too small)
Despite all that, AFL will benefit from a WC, it's likely Perth and Gold Coast will get new venues.
