News Simonds Stadium stage 3 redevelopment - Players Stand, big screen and new lights

[HappyChappy35]

Rumour is that the last game against the Lions will be under lights too.

I doubt this will be the case. Remember reading somewhere there's a maximum of 4 night games that can be played here during any H&A season, in which case we've already filled that quota, plus the broadcasters probably don't want a side like Brisbane playing in a primetime slot.

Depending on ladder positions in 6-7 weeks time, I reckon it will probably be the early Saturday game on Foxtel.

 

[Turbocat]

I doubt this will be the case. Remember reading somewhere there's a maximum of 4 night games that can be played here during any H&A season, in which case we've already filled that quota, plus the broadcasters probably don't want a side like Brisbane playing in a primetime slot.

Depending on ladder positions in 6-7 weeks time, I reckon it will probably be the early Saturday game on Foxtel.

Perhaps the 4.40 game. That time of year would still need lights.

 

[darijoe]

It's sad to think that after today this forum feed will be a relic in the history of the Cats. So much excitement about the new stand and lights. Onto Stage 4 and GO CATS!!

 

[Boxhead_31]

Yep we sure do.
From memory the break even from an MCG game is a crowd of about 55-60,000 & etihad is a crowd of 34,000 - KP Games we get the profit from regardless of the crowd size.

So we would be much better off, but I cant see the AFL letting it happen and loosing their lions share of the takings from blockbuster games.

Would be awesome to introduce hawks and pies fans to our cauldron!!

From Cook's interview earlier on this week

"We make about double for a full crowd here compared with the same crowd at Etihad. At the Essendon game when got a crowd of 50,000 we should bring home around $450,000," said Cook.

"On Saturday night we should make somewhere around $850,000 for a crowd just over 30,000. So when you talk about bringing clubs to Geelong even if they make half as much as we do they will still take home something like $400,000.

 

[magic_johnson!]

Hopefully Friday Night Footy!

Doubt it would be Friday night, they usually reserve that spot for a match with two potential finalists (or possible prelim finalists...) Saturday twilight would be my bet.

 

[vinum coupe]

I'm tipping we are going to make our biggest profit in our history this year.

 

[vealesy]

Just drove past the ground.

Surreal.

Cant wait!

 

[you pick one]

I doubt this will be the case. Remember reading somewhere there's a maximum of 4 night games that can be played here during any H&A season, in which case we've already filled that quota, plus the broadcasters probably don't want a side like Brisbane playing in a primetime slot.

Depending on ladder positions in 6-7 weeks time, I reckon it will probably be the early Saturday game on Foxtel.

Reason?

 

[HappyChappy35]

Reason?

Not exactly sure, just remember reading it somewhere.

At a guess COGG have limited the amount of night games here so light pollution and traffic at unreasonable hours doesn't affect residents in South Geelong/Newtown/Belmont too often (i.e. 5-6 or more times a year).

After all, the council own the ground so that essentially gives them the final say in most matters pertaining to it, night games in this case.

 

[vinum coupe]

Not exactly sure, just remember reading it somewhere.

At a guess COGG have limited the amount of night games here so light pollution and traffic at unreasonable hours doesn't affect residents in South Geelong/Newtown/Belmont too often (i.e. 5-6 or more times a year).

After all, the council own the ground so that essentially gives them the final say in most matters pertaining to it, night games in this case.

There is no way in the world that would exist.

It would cut out all options. Cricket etc.
And you'd never get funding for 10 mil of lights for 80 hours of footy over 10 years.

 

[FredLeDeux]

There is no way in the world that would exist.

It would cut out all options. Cricket etc.
And you'd never get funding for 10 mil of lights for 80 hours of footy over 10 years.

I don't know whether this restriction exists or not, but it would be a pretty standard condition of any planning permit granted for erection of the lights, given their effect on the amenity of surrounding residential areas.

 

[ZosoCat]

looked magnificent from a TV perspective... was it me or you could just tell the crowd was louder then normal.

 

[rocker_oz33]

I thought it looked great on telly.

 

[SJ]

I'm sure we all have our favourite photos from tonight. I've got a few but just need to transfer them to my camera. Post away for all to enjoy here.

 

[JUBJUB]

I'm also curious to know how the ground looked for those who were there? Was it a different (ie. better) atmosphere than day games at KP?
I saw no coverage of the game, although I read somewhere that not all of the lights were on, was that the case?

It was better viewing than a night game at Docklands or the MCG ?
Thankfully it wasn't a cold night and only a brief shower in the first qtr

 

[Stig_90]

I was pretty impressed with the fireworks.

 

[darijoe]

looked magnificent from a TV perspective... was it me or you could just tell the crowd was louder then normal.

Yes the crowd was definitely louder when the roars went up, especially when Motlop shot that goal through after the Suns had kicked 5 of their own. Was really a case of extremes with the noise level and I was quite surprised how subdued the crowd was at stages in the 1st quarter. Things though heated up as the Cats rampaged on in the final quarter. It was awesome and the noise level to acknowledge Ablett's impossible goal was really pleasing! An absolutely magical night and one that I'm sure the people of Geelong will always remember.

 

[ZosoCat]

Yes the crowd was definitely louder when the roars went up, especially when Motlop shot that goal through after the Suns had kicked 5 of their own. Was really a case of extremes with the noise level and I was quite surprised how subdued the crowd was at stages in the 1st quarter. Things though heated up as the Cats rampaged on in the final quarter. It was awesome and the noise level to acknowledge Ablett's impossible goal was really pleasing! An absolutely magical night and one that I'm sure the people of Geelong will always remember.

also with the crowd figure being over 30, 000 we get a fairly good return.

 

[oozeboss]

I get to travel down from Sydney for the Port game (my budget doesn't stretch to staying overnight), and I am so looking forward to seeing the Stage 3 wonderfulness.

Any chance of the club laying on some fireworks for that game as well? Or K-Rock a scarf???

(Or this board anything vaguely resembling a pre & post game get together?)

 

[ZosoCat]

can someone who was at the game tell everyone who wasn't how the new big screen was?

 

[Pal22]

To all of us who sat in the Players Stand, what did you think of the view, facilities ect?

First thing loved my new seat - end of row, 4 rows from the front on the ground level with is a terrific view (loved being that little higher up from the ground, coming from someone who moved down from Ablett Terrace)

Seems like a good number of food and bar outlets and the photos at the back of the stand also look really good. Didn't get there until around 6.30pm so didn't really get a chance to have a proper look around, but will definitely do so next game vs Fremantle

Only minor issue for me was the stair cases between the bays seem a tad narrow which made getting out after the game a tad annoying but that doesn't really bother me

 

[Willo_]

can someone who was at the game tell everyone who wasn't how the new big screen was?

Looked really good, bloody clear picture..

 

[etho62]

my view last night

 

[lionbear]

Looked amazing on TV last night, honestly rank it ahead of Etihad for best AFL venue in Victoria (MCG holds number 1) but number 1 for best day at the footy.

 

[Red Crow]

can someone who was at the game tell everyone who wasn't how the new big screen was?

The video itself was brilliant! Crystal clear vision. The scoreboard underneath left a bit to be desired for me. I was sitting behind the goals in the Ablett terrace and from a distance the numbers blurred a bit. At qtr time the "20"s looked like 26 or 28. Though it is one of four scoreboards around the ground so there were more closer but I found i had to turn and look around at the one up near the standing area to get the clearest view. I also thought putting twitter handles as the names was a bit wanky, but all in all these are pretty minor grievances.

Loved the atmosphere at the ground and the new stand is really imposing from the other end! Great night all round and as a neutral, was a great contest. Well, for three quarters anyway.