Whitten Oval - Interstate Games??

[JiggaDog]

This may have been asked before, and perhaps the answer is just an outright NO .... but ...

Is there any merit in doing some redevelopment work at Whitten Oval to hold home games against interstate sides? What's the current capacity? What capacity would be required (20,000/25,000)?

I personally would love the chance to watch the Dogs there 3 or 4 times a year. It would mean no need to sell home games interstate and we should also make a very tidy profit on those games (even more than interstate or Skilled).

I know the AFL stopped us from playing games there as like other suburban ovals it was not up to "AFL standard", but I think it would be perfectly suitable to our needs against interstate sides. It is surely no less "AFL standard" than Carrara and TIO???

Is this at all possible? Would anyone else like to see it happen? Given Geelong's success with SS I think it's at least worth some thought.

 

[cosmicr]

I'm pretty sure they make more money selling them interstate because the afl chips in for the promotion of the game in those states.

 

[fred cook]

Its called looking at the long term

When they re developed the ground it should have include a few millon more dollars and made a half decent grand stand as well

 

[JiggaDog]

Fred - I thought the same thing a while ago in regards to the redevelopment. Did we perhaps try and the AFL stomped on the idea? Anyone know?

Cosmicr - You may right, I dunno, but if so why would we be looking at SS as a possible venue for these games?

 

[Scroater]

I'm pretty sure they make more money selling them interstate because the afl chips in for the promotion of the game in those states.

I went to the Canberra game 2 years ago and to the Darwin game last year. In regards to the AFL promoting the game, if I hadn't gone there because I knew a game was on, I would have had no idea there would be a game. There was hardly anything in the papers, the radio ads were virtually non existant and what TV I did see, the sports reporting was no different to what you see in the 10 minute sport section of the news.

Have always thought we should regain some home ground advantage by playing interstate teams at the Whitten Oval. Then again, would we make the 200 grand (apparently) that the AFL fork out ot us?

 

[OldSchool]

This may have been asked before, and perhaps the answer is just an outright NO .... but ...

Is there any merit in doing some redevelopment work at Whitten Oval to hold home games against interstate sides? What's the current capacity? What capacity would be required (20,000/25,000)?

Who would fund a major upgrade to a venue if only 4 games would be played there a season? It would cost many millions and I don't think anyone could justify it.

Also how do we address parking and transport requirements for the 20,000 crowd and the impact to the residents?

As much as I would love to see another game at the WO it would be massive project with zero pay back.

 

[JiggaDog]

Who would fund a major upgrade to a venue if only 4 games would be played there a season? It would cost many millions and I don't think anyone could justify it.

Also how do we address parking and transport requirements for the 20,000 crowd and the impact to the residents?

As much as I would love to see another game at the WO it would be massive project with zero pay back.

Good point regarding the limited number of games. A capacity upgrade may not even be necessary - just a clean up. Wikipedia lists the WO as previously having a capacity of 25,000. Link.

Parking, transport and resident inconvenience should be manageable, especially since it would only be for 4 or so games. Train station is nearby, and although for those wanting to drive the parking would be a bit of a hassle (see family day this year) I reckon it would be worth it for the chance to see the Dogs at the WO again.

So given the capacity is pretty much already there (I didn't think it would be that high), we may not need to invest too much money to make it happen. Most supporters would be delighted at the chance of watching a game there and we would have a genuine home ground advantage.

I know it would be far from trivial to make it happen, but I think it deserves some investigation.

 

[stmookeyj]

The Whitten Oval page on the same Wikipedia says the capacity is closer to 15000. I'd say it would need to be big enough to house 25K plus corporates of up to 2-3K, something unlikely since the Gent Stand was re-outfitted.

 

[GoAway]

Would love to be in walking distance to footy. If this were to happen, at least years away? How much can the current stands hold - surely not 25,000.

 

[OldSchool]

Good point regarding the limited number of games. A capacity upgrade may not even be necessary - just a clean up. Wikipedia lists the WO as previously having a capacity of 25,000. Link.

Parking, transport and resident inconvenience should be manageable, especially since it would only be for 4 or so games. Train station is nearby, and although for those wanting to drive the parking would be a bit of a hassle (see family day this year) I reckon it would be worth it for the chance to see the Dogs at the WO again.

So given the capacity is pretty much already there (I didn't think it would be that high), we may not need to invest too much money to make it happen. Most supporters would be delighted at the chance of watching a game there and we would have a genuine home ground advantage.

I know it would be far from trivial to make it happen, but I think it deserves some investigation.

The council and governments funded money for the current redevelopment based on the fact that the venue would not host AFL games. At the moment it can't really host VFL games unless the VFL amend there own standards

Bugger all seating, little to no amenities, no fences etc etc will mean that it's a futile effort.

Even with some substantial funding getting a capacity in excess of 7,000 would be a major achievement.

The venue is an administrative, training and community venue and will never be an AFL standard again.

Best option would be to look at something with Essendon or at Princes Park and they are not good options.

 

[dogwatch]

Would love to be in walking distance to footy. If this were to happen, at least years away? How much can the current stands hold - surely not 25,000.

Unfortunately I'd say your best chance is to move into one of those units in docklands.

 

[doggiesin08]

Played a couple of games there pre-season, the surface is amazing. Could surely be used for a NAB Challenge match if we don't make the Grand Final. Facilities are fine, I'd bring my lunch and hold it for a few hours to see them there.

 

[SonOfScray]

Played against Old Essendon in a practice match a few years back, was great to get out on the ground and the surface was brilliant.

I wish we had our own home ground still. We won't but it would be fantastic to have a place in our heartland that was really home. Game day, local pubs, familiar faces etc.

 

[_Mike_]

NAB Challenge , practise matches etc would be ok.. There's not enough facilities at the ground to cater for large crowds, and the cost in the infrastructure would not warrant the outlay on the "chance" that they might get a game or two there.

Plus, the local streets couldnt cope with today's expected traffic volume around the ground, compared to what they were 15+ years ago. Its a similar argument for Victoria Park and Moorabin.

 

[DoggyStyle]

Suggest that we speak to Ben Buckely and put our hat in the ring for redevelopment of the WO as part of our World Cup soccer Bid for 2022. The current car park is big enough for a multi level carpark and we coudl put an off and on ramp into the new Cross city tunnel that is going to pop out at the inersection of Geelong and Sunshine roads.

Nice thought but it will never happen

 

[JiggaDog]

Thanks for the responses everyone. It looks like the interest is definitely there (expected) however the points that OldSchool has made make it pretty clear that it is unlikely to ever happen - unfortunately.

It was something that I had wondered about for some time now and its good to understand why this option hadn't been mentioned amidst all the stadium deals, home interstate games and discussions about SS/PP that have been going on for a while now.

I'm just glad I still have the memory with me of our last ever game there.

 

[Denny Crane]

Would be a great idea and I would love to be back watching at WO (as long as I can get back into the scoreboard like I used to do over 25 years ago aaahh memories)).

I heard on SEN today (and I was busy so may have missed what they where actually talking about) was the Mayor (or someone) from Ballarat wants millions spent to try and entice a few AFL games to the country. (sorry for being so vague)

It got me thinking, would I travel to Ballarat to watch the Doggies, damn straight I would. I reckon a properly outfitted stadium would be great. I have travelled a lot before but taking that family to watch the Dogs to Ballarat would be a great (and cheaper) weekend.

The AFL will have little to no interest I believe as the market is already AFL, however if the City of Ballarat (and maybe they could get money from State Government due to WC22 bid) are behind it it could be something the Doggies look at supporting.

Would this attract more supporters, I would like to think so, there are still fringe supporters out there that will change if properly attracted.

WO would be great, but country Victoria I reckon would be more realistic.

 

[Denny Crane]

Oh the GWS under avatar is a joke for a friend, trust me I am full on Bulldog Silver Member (aka that drunk you may see near aisle 34 at Gihad stadium, near the beer selling lady.....)

 

[Dogs Rule]

Thanks for the responses everyone. It looks like the interest is definitely there (expected) however the points that OldSchool has made make it pretty clear that it is unlikely to ever happen - unfortunately.

It was something that I had wondered about for some time now and its good to understand why this option hadn't been mentioned amidst all the stadium deals, home interstate games and discussions about SS/PP that have been going on for a while now.

I'm just glad I still have the memory with me of our last ever game there.

I still get teary-eyed every time I look at my framed picture of the last ever match at WO sitting proudly on the wall.

Ah, the memories.

 

[incubi]

Thanks for the responses everyone. It looks like the interest is definitely there (expected) however the points that OldSchool has made make it pretty clear that it is unlikely to ever happen - unfortunately.

It was something that I had wondered about for some time now and its good to understand why this option hadn't been mentioned amidst all the stadium deals, home interstate games and discussions about SS/PP that have been going on for a while now.

I'm just glad I still have the memory with me of our last ever game there.

Ditto, willnever forget how bloody cold it was and how nice it was that morning which tricked little 8 year old me to wear warmer weather clothing.

WIll definitely never forget getting to go into the rooms after, and seeing libba sitting there covered in scratches still completely starkers seemingly incapable of movement as all the other players were already dressed and leaving.