Getting rid of the Gabba cricket pitch

[Old Den]

In fact in 2011 the Swans will only play 8 games at the SCG compared to the Lions 12 games at the Gabba and 1 at the SCG....that is 13 running over wicket squares

Good old Collingwood does not play at the Gabba or the SCG in 2011 - and have just 4 trips interstate including the 2 one hour shorties to AAMI and ANZ - they sure do it tough...don't know how they get through that high altitude training.

 

[Tassie4ever]

Amazing scenes to see the Gabba in such apparently poor nick at the weekend- looks a bit like a beach. And not a football oaf in sight.

 

[T Factor]

I went to the recent Qld V WA 20/20 game and was surprised at the condition of the outfield. I am from WA, so after hearing about how much rain had there had been I expected to see a lush green outfield. There seem to be alot of sandy patches so maybe there has been too much rain?

 

[Cousin Jed]

The outfield has been garbage for about 2-3 years. They got some sort of weed in it, and its been very poor since.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think the Lions need to find a way to get the QLD government and the AFL to build a new stadium in Brisbane.. I can't see the Cricket people of QLD allowing the pitch to be ripped up. If it was going to happen you would have thought it would have been done by now.

 

[MSB ROYS]

I think the Lions need to find a way to get the QLD government and the AFL to build a new stadium in Brisbane.. I can't see the Cricket people of QLD allowing the pitch to be ripped up. If it was going to happen you would have thought it would have been done by now.

Would the GABBA struggle financially if the lions left?

 

[Bucking Beads]

Would the GABBA struggle financially if the lions left?

Probably but that is tough $hit if they do because if they are not willing to make changes for the better of the Lions why should they continue to play there?? A redevelopment of the old ANZ stadium would be worth a look.

 

[Berankis]

Probably but that is tough $hit if they do because if they are not willing to make changes for the better of the Lions why should they continue to play there?? A redevelopment of the old ANZ stadium would be worth a look.

Sorry for interrupting but that redevelopment idea is an excellent one!

http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums.php?id=5

Great idea

 

[Go GWS!]

Sorry for interrupting but that redevelopment idea is an excellent one!

http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums.php?id=5

Great idea

Keep in mind that ANZ, now QE2 again, is VERY unpopular in Brisbane. Indeed, when the Broncos used to play there the Lions used to use inter alia the phrase "Better Ground" on their billboards.

From memory, the Lions had "Better game, better ground, better live", but maybe someone else here can remember this more clearly than me.

 

[Warwick]

I would be furious if I had to travel to watch the Lions at QEII. Both in terms of travelling distance and general shiteness of the ground. And for the fact it's in the middle of nowhere.

Where would you go for a drink after the game? The Sunnybank Hotel?

That ground should be levelled. You sit about 12k from the action.

There is no way the Lions would move from the Gabba.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I would be furious if I had to travel to watch the Lions at QEII. Both in terms of travelling distance and general shiteness of the ground. And for the fact it's in the middle of nowhere.

Where would you go for a drink after the game? The Sunnybank Hotel?

That ground should be levelled. You sit about 12k from the action.

There is no way the Lions would move from the Gabba.

Redeveloped or levelled and a new stadium built. Wouldn't take long to get to the Lions new club with free buses I would reckon.

 

[POBT]

I think the Lions need to find a way to get the QLD government and the AFL to build a new stadium in Brisbane.. I can't see the Cricket people of QLD allowing the pitch to be ripped up. If it was going to happen you would have thought it would have been done by now.

I'm fairly confident that this has zero chance of happening. What possible benefit does this have for the Qld Govt? Right now, they own the Gabba and draw both a summer and winter income. Perfect situation from their perspective.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Ugh... big no to QEII from me.

Centre square aside, the Gabba is a magic place to watch footy.

 

[John]

I'm fairly confident that this has zero chance of happening. What possible benefit does this have for the Qld Govt? Right now, they own the Gabba and draw both a summer and winter income. Perfect situation from their perspective.

Spot on POBT.


Why would a State Government of any persuasion, so therefore the taxpayer, build or refurbish another stadium just for the Lions? They have in Brisbane and the Gold Coast alone not only the Gabba and QE2 but Suncorp, Skilled Park and the soon to be finished Gold Coast Stadium. It is unrealistic to expect the taxpayer to cough up for a refit of QE2 considering what is already available. Stadium cost 100's of millions to build. If the Lions wanted to go elsewhere it would be off their own back and I will bet a penny to a pound that the AFL will not consider putting one cent into anything further in QLD considering that they have financial agreements with the state government as to the building of Gold Coast Stadium.

Lets get realistic on this troops.

 

[Bucking Beads]

If we are being realistic forget about the centre square getting pulled out and quit whinging about it..

 

[POBT]

Yeah John. Stop whinging about the centre wicket.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Agreed, John is like a broken bloody record.

The pitch is staying John.. deal with it FFS!

 

[John]

Sorry.

 

[Old Den]

Unbelievable.... at least we have the best wicket in the world at the Gabba (huh?) situated cheek by jowl to the CBD for the cricket AND football - I can't believe this half a billion dollar project is said to be under threat over this petty point in a state where the Australian footy code is king.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...down-afl-goliath/story-e6frg7rx-1226014959905

 

[dlanod]

Adelaide lawyer Greg Howe's opposition to the drop-in wickets has drawn support from cricket fans who share his view that the temporary pitches are usually "bland roads".

They may be "bland roads", but how's that any different from any other Adelaide pitch in the last decade or so.

 

[western royboy]

They may be "bland roads", but how's that any different from any other Adelaide pitch in the last decade or so.

I think the underlying issue here is that Les Burdett would seemed to have "changed teams" upon hanging up his ear muffs. Once a defender of wicket blocks he is now advocating drop ins which is nigh on sacrelige for a curator and now acts as a "Consultant" to SACA.

For my money Kevin Mtchells (Snr & Jnr) are the best in the business and the Gabba wicket remains the jewel in the crown.

 

[Jorgo]

Not quite about the "pitch" but figured this was the most logical place for the discussion.

Did anyone else see them doing ground readings during the kids @ half time last night? Down the school end in front of me there were two guys running around taking measurements/samples around the inside 50 area.

Wondering if they've done that before at half time of the games? I've certainly never seen them. They must have taken 10 or so samples all around the inside 50 zone.

Goes to show they're not purely concerned with the square if they're taking samples in those areas at half time.

 

[Happy_Neale]

Issue raising it's ugly head again.

Quote from Brennan:

Gold Coast recruit Jared Brennan blamed the concrete Gabba turf for his ankle injury last year. "It was the cricket pitch (that caused the injury) at the Gabba and it's definitely good to get away from it," he said.

 

[mickeyblueeyes37]

I don't think it would make a difference cause all the grounds up in QLD are hard really.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Ablett played 1 game on the Gabba and complaining already? Ha