Opinion Have the MCC and the AFL ruined the MCG?

[Aristotle Pickett]

The MCG sure is different that it used to be.
It used to be recognisable and have character.
Now it's one big concrete jungle. The upper deck is just too ridiculous to view a game from. All the old stands are gone. There's no standing room. The best views are taken by corperate boxes and media.
The whole ground has been set up to maximise advertising branding and there's not a tree or an old scoreboard in sight.

 

[Rotayjay]

Have they gotten rid of standing room? If so, that's a shame because I think it's an important part of the atmosphere. I like standing at the footy sometimes.

 

[Underarm]

Have they gotten rid of standing room? If so, that's a shame because I think it's an important part of the atmosphere. I like standing at the footy sometimes.

There is definitely still standing room.

 

[Mr Meow]

Used to love popping down for a game in the 1850s. Look at all those trees!

 

[_Mike_]

That’s progress

 

[Papa G]

Yes. The MCG is the Centrepiece of AFL/Victorian Government Sporting corruption. ..... And outside its size, there's nothing particularly great about the stadium either. It's bog average TBH.

 

[Angus Young]

Wot you on about. Best stadium in the country.

 

[jakson68]

Still the best stadium in Australia.
95k fans joined together to watch their teams play is awesome.

The viewing pleasure may not be as good in some areas as a new stadium but the atmosphere and history wins hands down.

 

[NetworkNerd]

And they want to knock the southern stand down... presumably to make corporate/AFL member facilities better. Cant see how they will get more seats in

Waste of money IMO.. unless the structure is crumbling just do a slow renovation like Marvel.

Oh and standing room is still around.. just in certain spots

 

[JackFlash]

It certainly has lost its charm and character, but the golden era of the MCG is long gone.

 

[ep12]

There is room for 5,000 standing room and at every game I go to there are plenty people standing.

 

[Occidental]

Ahh, the good ol’ days.
Prior to 1991, you could rock up and sit ANYWHERE outside the MCC area. Back when it really was the People’s Ground.
Nothing corporate in sight in the old Southern Stand.

 

[Engimal v3]

Agreed. Pales in comparison to Docklands these days.

 

[Toump Ass]

Going to the footy is just a shitty experience.
Prefer getting a table at the local pub and watching the game there.

 

[The Sultan]

Wot you on about. Best stadium in the country.

not even best stadium in melbourne.. Unless the MCG is over 75% full Marvel is much better

 

[aussierulesrules]

Not true that there’s not a tree in sight. If you go to the very back row on level 4 of the Ponsford Stand there are windows behind you and you can see the city and lots of trees through them, and I imagine it’s probably the same at the very back on level 4 of all the other stands as well. Trees galore!

 

[Danw0w]

Why do I need a tree or an old scoreboard to enjoy the footy?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I would have to say “not a tree in sight” is a very bizarre whinge when it comes to a sports stadium.

 

[melbournemartin]

If you don't like the atmosphere of the MCG there is loads of amazing suburban football you can check out any Saturday afternoon.

 

[melbournemartin]

I would have to say “not a tree in sight” is a very bizarre whinge when it comes to a sports stadium.

Particularly when the ground is literally surrounded by trees. Come to America where they are surrounded by nothing but concrete parking lots.

 

[Toump Ass]

not even best stadium in melbourne.. Unless the MCG is over 75% full Marvel…

Marvel is a plastic shithole. Comic book branding. No goddamn natural light. Suitable for minnow clubs only.

 

[ElectricG]

I felt like this at the Gabba. Pales in comparison to adelaide oval

 

[SplintWhisky]

Going to the footy is just a shitty experience.
Prefer getting a table at the local pub and watching the game there.

This is really what it boils down to now. The constant assault on the fan by advertising, the loud and obnoxious music at the breaks, the embarrassing "Fan Engagement".

 

[Kwality]

Wot you on about. Best stadium in the country.

Best IF capacity is the only criteria.

 

[STPer18]

It's no Kardinia Park, but it's fighting it out with Docklands Stadium for the 2nd best footy ground in Victoria. Give it some credit.