Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium)

[RussellEbertHandball]

I'm not arguing that the WACA is perfect. It's far from it, and it needs a facelift which is what is currently proposed. But it's fanciful to believe that suddenly tens of thousands of people will rock up to a test against South Africa or India at the new stadium when the attendance records from Brisbane says otherwise.

The first year or two there will be a big curiosity factor to the crowd for Test matches. At AO they had the hill, western and southern stands available in full and the lower deck of the eastern stand was available to the public in December 2013 Ashes Test and basically sold out the 4 days with 35,000 each day. The Oval as completed in time for March 2014 footy season.

If the Perth Stadium was ready for the December 2017 ashes test, either in full, or so 50,000 seats were available, with the Barmy Army travelling, I reckon you would get 50,000 for the first 2 or 3 days.

 

[holybishop]

The first year or two there will be a big curiosity factor to the crowd for Test matches. At AO they had the hill, western and southern stands available in full and the lower deck of the eastern stand was available to the public in December 2013 Ashes Test and basically sold out the 4 days with 35,000 each day. The Oval as completed in time for March 2014 footy season.

If the Perth Stadium was ready for the December 2017 ashes test, either in full of so 50,000 seats were available, with the Barmy Army travelling, I reckon you would get 50,000 for the first 2 or 3 days.

There will be a honeymoon period but ANZ Stadium had that when hosting AFL games initially. Once that novelty factor wears off crowds for the South African and Indian tests at the new stadium will fall to levels that would fit into the WACA, and then you'd have to question whether it's worth keeping games at the new stadium when the WACA's size would be more suitable and create a better atmosphere.

 

[Freight Train]

I'm not arguing that the WACA is perfect. It's far from it, and it needs a facelift which is what is currently proposed. But it's fanciful to believe that suddenly tens of thousands of people will rock up to a test against South Africa or India at the new stadium when the attendance records from Brisbane says otherwise.

Redeveloped Adelaide Oval says people would. Especially if we got a D/N test.

 

[Kram]

Redeveloped Adelaide Oval says people would. Especially if we got a D/N test.

We will be the last place to get one with our time zone.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

We will be the last place to get one with our time zone.

Yep unfortunately WA wont. The Test ratings figures for 9 are always very healthy from the WACA, especially November/December tests because the last session is on in prime time on the east coast. The Perth test usually get the best ratings for the summer ie total viewing audience as a result.

 

[Billy ray]

Yep unfortunately WA wont. The Test ratings figures for 9 are always very healthy from the WACA, especially November/December tests because the last session is on in prime time on the east coast. The Perth test usually get the best ratings for the summer ie total viewing audience as a result.

unless it is an Indian test series and the Indian Tv stations pull rank, because a night test in perth would be great timezone wise for india.

 

[hitthepost]

unless it is an Indian test series and the Indian Tv stations pull rank, because a night test in perth would be great timezone wise for india.

There is some logic in that.
Play it 2pm-9pm in Perth = 5pm-midnight in Sydney and 1130am-630pm in New Delhi.
Although, are the Indian fans more likely to get up in the wee hours and watch before work, or to skip work and watch?

 

[Billy ray]

There is some logic in that.
Play it 2pm-9pm in Perth = 5pm-midnight in Sydney and 1130am-630pm in New Delhi.
Although, are the Indian fans more likely to get up in the wee hours and watch before work, or to skip work and watch?

this. religion over there.

 

[holybishop]

unless it is an Indian test series and the Indian Tv stations pull rank, because a night test in perth would be great timezone wise for india.

The BCCI didn't even have enough pull to force CA to skip Brisbane instead of Perth last summer. They wont be getting that.

 

[Billy ray]

Maybe channel 9 and CA would like a 5pm to midnight (EDT) timeslot? Get the whole days play in primetime?

 

[Noctorniquet]

There is a virtual walk through of the stadium available next to the Bell Tower popped down during my lunch break, was pretty interesting, using virtual reality goggles you get placed around several spots inside the stadium including on the field and outside and have the ability to free look around. Gives great perspective to the scale of the project and examples of the view from different tiers. Not sure how long its there for but the girls running it mentioned it will be around Perth in different locations over the summer.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Maybe channel 9 and CA would like a 5pm to midnight (EDT) timeslot? Get the whole days play in primetime?

Prime time is 7-9.30 ie when the highest ratings are achieved because that's when most eyeballs are in front of the TV screen spread across all channels.

 

[Billy ray]

Prime time is 7-9.30 ie when the highest ratings are achieved because that's when most eyeballs are in front of the TV screen spread across all channels.

what about the ashes when live from England? what time does that start EDT?

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

what about the ashes when live from England? what time does that start EDT?

8pm if its an 11am start in UK, but these days some tests are starting at 10.30am which makes it a 7.30pm EDT start.

 

[Billy ray]

well hopefully they schedule a D/N test match at the ground.
its bad enough they don't schedule real night AFL games from perth currently, or real night 20/20 games etc.

they are spending all this money (including lights!), to showcase the state and city, and like the pictures from Adelaide showed a few weeks back its pretty impressive, so hopefully they get a chance to have some real night events.

 

[Kram]

its bad enough they don't schedule real night AFL games from perth currently, or real night 20/20 games etc.

Starting at 6.40pm Friday and 5.40pm on Saturday isn't a proper night game? I actually prefer that to the 7.40 starts they have east, too late.. Agree about the cricket though, it's a joke how early the BigBash starts on workdays in the blazing heat being pretty much day games just to suit the eastern states TV audience

 

[hitthepost]

Starting at 6.40pm Friday and 5.40pm on Saturday isn't a proper night game? I actually prefer that to the 7.40 starts they have east, too late.. Agree about the cricket though, it's a joke how early the BigBash starts on workdays in the blazing heat being pretty much day games just to suit the eastern states TV audience

The BBL really misses an opportunity for a double-header in this. Play at 6.30 in the East and then 6.30 in Perth and the games would run nicely into each other on TV. Wouldn't both be totally in prime-time though. Did they do this in the early years?

 

[brucetiki]

The BBL really misses an opportunity for a double-header in this. Play at 6.30 in the East and then 6.30 in Perth and the games would run nicely into each other on TV. Wouldn't both be totally in prime-time though. Did they do this in the early years?

Fox Sports used to do this, and they do this with their NBL coverage.

Given how broke Channel 10 is, they probably can't afford to show double headers

 

[Kram]

The BBL really misses an opportunity for a double-header in this. Play at 6.30 in the East and then 6.30 in Perth and the games would run nicely into each other on TV. Wouldn't both be totally in prime-time though. Did they do this in the early years?

Not sure but that's an idea. 4pm starts are a disgrace for the fans during the working week at a blazing hot WACA.

 

[holybishop]

Not sure but that's an idea. 4pm starts are a disgrace for the fans during the working week at a blazing hot WACA.

In fairness I think CA have recognised this with our scheduling. 3 of our 4 home games are on a Saturday, so work cant be an excuse for a lot of people now.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

You got a direct line with the Australian cricket team?

What cricketer would not want to play on the WACA? Arguably the best pitch in the world when prepared correctly for cricket instead of money.
Great place to bowl fast, good batsman can score well on the ground average batsman will struggle. Won't turn a lot but you will get bounce so if it goes to a 5th day spinners can play a role. As good an outfield as anywhere in the world.
The poor facilities have been well discussed for spectators but that could of been fixed with a better group running the WACA the last 20 years.
So now the great ground will be pretty much lost to premier cricket so the spectators don't have to line up to long for a beer and can sit in a better seat which all could of been achieved at the WACA.

 

[Freight Train]

What cricketer would not want to play on the WACA? Arguably the best pitch in the world when prepared correctly for cricket instead of money.
Great place to bowl fast, good batsman can score well on the ground average batsman will struggle. Won't turn a lot but you will get bounce so if it goes to a 5th day spinners can play a role. As good an outfield as anywhere in the world.
The poor facilities have been well discussed for spectators but that could of been fixed with a better group running the WACA the last 20 years.
So now the great ground will be pretty much lost to premier cricket so the spectators don't have to line up to long for a beer and can sit in a better seat which all could of been achieved at the WACA.

The WACA pitch hasn't been the same in years, and besides, it's not like they can't make a similar pitch, the two stadiums are literally across the river from each other, so whether it's grown or dropped in, it could be done.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

The WACA pitch hasn't been the same in years, and besides, it's not like they can't make a similar pitch, the two stadiums are literally across the river from each other, so whether it's grown or dropped in, it could be done.

Yep it shouldn't be to hard to produce a road at the new stadium.
The WACA square is fine it is just that the curators are instructed to prepare lifeless pitches so the modern day batsman can look good.
It is one of the reasons Cam Sutherland parted ways with the WACA because he refused to prepare roads after spending so long getting the centre square back to its old glory.
Nothing wrong with the square, it's the admin which is the problem.

 

[RussellEbertHandball]

Yep it shouldn't be to hard to produce a road at the new stadium.
The WACA square is fine it is just that the curators are instructed to prepare lifeless pitches so the modern day batsman can look good.
It is one of the reasons Cam Sutherland parted ways with the WACA because he refused to prepare roads after spending so long getting the centre square back to its old glory.
Nothing wrong with the square, it's the admin which is the problem.

Is DK President of the WACA? I know he was a couple of years ago. Or was it a ceremonial position rather than any real power? You wouldn't think DK would approve it being turned into a road.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

Is DK President of the WACA? I know he was a couple of years ago. Or was it a ceremonial position rather than any real power? You wouldn't think DK would approve it being turned into a road.

Hence DK resigned once decision to go to new stadium was reached. WACA has always been run by its old membership base, time caught up with them all and now the future has to live with their decisions.
They voted against the WACA merging with footy and turning it into a mega stadium 12 odd years ago. Now they are upset test cricket is gone.