Opinion We need to move back to the MCG

[Bunk Moreland]

TBH it doesn’t really bother me that much. We play plenty of games at the G.

The future does interest me. I was reading this year that the stadium has hit the midpoint of its life - most agree they generally are in use for 50 years and we have hit the 25 year mark. Hence the major upgrades. But the AFL will have to start considerations at some point over the next decade about what they are going to do strategically. Will they look to level it and rebuild, or sell the property and relocate their second stadium.

The reality is the stadium remains fairly unloved - it has a lot of problems of its own and relating to its surrounds. I wouldn’t discount the chances of the AFL looking to up and move.

This will be a lot about us because we remain the anchor tenant. Do we parlay that into some sort of good deal at a new stadium? Or use it as a bargaining chip to move back to the G?

 

[boncer34]

TBH it doesn’t really bother me that much. We play plenty of games at the G.

The future does interest me. I was reading this year that the stadium has hit the midpoint of its life - most agree they generally are in use for 50 years and we have hit the 25 year mark. Hence the major upgrades. But the AFL will have to start considerations at some point over the next decade about what they are going to do strategically. Will they look to level it and rebuild, or sell the property and relocate their second stadium.

The reality is the stadium remains fairly unloved - it has a lot of problems of its own and relating to its surrounds. I wouldn’t discount the chances of the AFL looking to up and move.

This will be a lot about us because we remain the anchor tenant. Do we parlay that into some sort of good deal at a new stadium? Or use it as a bargaining chip to move back to the G?

50 years is the upper end of the range. 30 is the lower end.

To be honest it's already feeling like the elephant in the room to me. We've just come off an "upgrade" but that was more the precinct than the stadium wasn't it?

 

[Agronomus]

It is. We are not a poor side because we play games at Marvel. We are a poor side because we ****ed ourselves with the saga and have had some average list builds, several coaches and for a while limited resources put into development. It has nothing to do with the MCG. Good sides just win. There is no magic wand in playing 15 games at the MCG.

I misread your post and thought you were talking about the move from windy Hill to the mcg.

 

[Agronomus]

TBH it doesn’t really bother me that much. We play plenty of games at the G.

The future does interest me. I was reading this year that the stadium has hit the midpoint of its life - most agree they generally are in use for 50 years and we have hit the 25 year mark. Hence the major upgrades. But the AFL will have to start considerations at some point over the next decade about what they are going to do strategically. Will they look to level it and rebuild, or sell the property and relocate their second stadium.

The reality is the stadium remains fairly unloved - it has a lot of problems of its own and relating to its surrounds. I wouldn’t discount the chances of the AFL looking to up and move.

This will be a lot about us because we remain the anchor tenant. Do we parlay that into some sort of good deal at a new stadium? Or use it as a bargaining chip to move back to the G?

So where would the second stadium be? Mars stadium?

 

[Bunk Moreland]

50 years is the upper end of the range. 30 is the lower end.

To be honest it's already feeling like the elephant in the room to me. We've just come off an "upgrade" but that was more the precinct than the stadium wasn't it?

There has been some pretty major stuff done at the main entrances, they’ve been opened right up with some major structural changes. Entering through the southern and eastern side is very different now.

Almost all of the ground floor concourse and been renovated with new stores and outlets too.

So definitely some changes, but nothing that probably changes your experience from your seat.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

So where would the second stadium be? Mars stadium?

There’ll be two stadiums in Melbourne. I think Goschs Paddock is the big one in terms of location and space. If there’s sufficient will between the government and the AFL, they could build a 40k - 50k seater there. The AFL would realise plenty of cash if they sold Docklands that could pay a big whack of it.

It wouldn’t be terribly unpopular politically, Docklands is not loved, and the AFL clubs could get behind it which is a huge stack of voters.

 

[LB#16]

There has been some pretty major stuff done at the main entrances, they’ve been opened right up with some major structural changes. Entering through the southern and eastern side is very different now.

Almost all of the ground floor concourse and been renovated with new stores and outlets too.

So definitely some changes, but nothing that probably changes your experience from your seat.

When was the last time Docklands got a seating replacement? Has it ever had a full seating replacement? I know the Medallion club seats have been replaced to black seats but it seems bizarre to renovate and have nothing change in the seating bowl.

 

[yodellinhank]

So where would the second stadium be? Mars stadium?

In an ideal world I reckon you'd have Waverley and a Kardinia Park that holds 60k.

 

[Agronomus]

In an ideal world I reckon you'd have Waverley and a Kardinia Park that holds 60k.

Waverley would probably work now.

 

[P Money]

50 years is the upper end of the range. 30 is the lower end.

To be honest it's already feeling like the elephant in the room to me. We've just come off an "upgrade" but that was more the precinct than the stadium wasn't it?

The MCG is 171 years old...

 

[boncer34]

The MCG is 171 years old...

And has been rebuilt several times.

 

[Agronomus]

And has been rebuilt several times.

It's a magnificent erection though

 

[JayJ20]

I just cannot stand Marvel. Sheedy and Dodoro gone, and now back to the MCG.

 

[windyhill]

I’d say EDFL.

 

[ant555]

I just cannot stand Marvel. Sheedy and Dodoro gone, and now back to the MCG.

Love Marvel. No rain. No wind.

 

[Yoda_]

Love Marvel. No rain. No wind.

you forgot the most cruical one

no atmosphere

 

[LB#16]

you forgot the most cruical one

no atmosphere

Docklands has a bit of atmosphere...

It doesn't have:

• natural light
• spacious concourses
• a correct orientation to allow the roof to be open without blinding one end
• an updated roof system to allow the roof to be open more often
• a steady flow of foot traffic in and out without a bottleneck
• more than half a renovation

 

[yodellinhank]

Anyone else find the place (Docklands) drafty?

 

[DERO]

you forgot the most cruical one

no atmosphere

There might be more atmosphere at the games played at the G because we generally play big games there like Anzac Day, dreamtime, against Carlton when we were both flying etc there. I reckon this is more to do with the numbers than the venue. You play North Melbourne or Gold Coast at the G and I can guarantee you'll see the same lack of atmosphere that you see at the dome as our fans won't show up at the G either.

 

[DERO]

If we start selling out Marvel every week then the move is probably justified.

It'll only get worse if our entitled members who bitch and moan about buying memberships and are threatening not to buy them actually follow through.

 

[ant555]

you forgot the most cruical one

no atmosphere

Bollocks. 30,000 plus. There is plenty of atmosphere. Probably more than the G with 30,000 in the house. It can not match the G with 80,000 for sure but when the place is 3/4 full there is plenty of atmosphere.

 

[yodellinhank]

There might be more atmosphere at the games played at the G because we generally play big games there like Anzac Day, dreamtime, against Carlton when we were both flying etc there. I reckon this is more to do with the numbers than the venue. You play North Melbourne or Gold Coast at the G and I can guarantee you'll see the same lack of atmosphere that you see at the dome as our fans won't show up at the G either.

Bollocks. 30,000 plus. There is plenty of atmosphere. Probably more than the G with 30,000 in the house. It can not match the G with 80,000 for sure but when the place is 3/4 full there is plenty of atmosphere.

The Freo game at the 'G was 30k and the place was pumping. Was brought up how the 'G is so much better at the time.

 

[boncer34]

The Freo game at the 'G was 30k and the place was pumping. Was brought up how the 'G is so much better at the time.

It was like a graveyard. Nearly fell asleep.

 

[Vindicater]

Bring back the G!

 

[ant555]

The Freo game at the 'G was 30k and the place was pumping. Was brought up how the 'G is so much better at the time.

I was there. The game was exciting but the atmosphere and noise was not the same as 30,000 under the roof. My opinion of course.