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It looks like the North Melbourne Kangaroos might have finally found a second home. Eureka!, cried Kangaroos president James Brayshaw, as the Victorian Premier in full election mode seized an opportunity to win some votes in the bush by promising to spend $30 million in Ballarat.
“A future Labor Government will invest $30 million in the Eureka Stadium and Major Events precinct, with $25 million to bring the stadium up to AFL standard, including resurfacing the oval, new player change rooms and coaching boxes, and a boutique-style arena for up to 15,000 fans,” he said.
The ink has barely dried on Hawthorn’s lucrative five-year Tasmanian deal, which saw the Kangaroos hopes of playing games in Hobart dashed.
Within a week North Melbourne has done the Ballarat deal thanks to the Victorian election. It must be said though that Ballarat had been previously mooted for AFL games, but the North had appeared to have gone cold on the idea up until this week.
The Kangaroos adventures across Australia would make any ‘grey nomad’ green with envy: Canberra, Sydney, Gold Coast, Hobart all trialed, sequested, romanced and subsequently dumped as first or second base options over the years.
One verse of the North song strikes as surreal:
“Hearts to hearts and hands to hands,
Beneath the Blue and White we stand,
We shout, God bless our native land
North Melbourne, North Melbourne.”
The last line could have been replaced with North Melbourne and then a giant question mark.
However, this is the right call for North Melbourne and its fans, plus the AFL. Ballarat has a long history of Australian football from the very early days and the area still produces more than its fair share of players.
Regional Victoria apart from Geelong has missed out on fully fledged AFL games. This move will bring the game closer to many fans from around regional Victoria whilst still only a one hour drive from Melbourne.
North Melbourne, more than any other club has really struggled at the 55,000 seat Etihad Stadium to draw a decent crowd (above 15,000) against the interstate sides.
By playing four games from 2012, the Kangaroos get their boutique stadium for what is really a boutique sized Melbourne based AFL club.
Once Eureka Stadium is fully developed, I would not be surprised to see the Western Bulldogs follow suit. They are even closer to the Ballarat region with many of their supporters scattered along Ballarat Road leading out of Melbourne.
The AFL has been toying with the idea of building a third Melbourne stadium to cater for the 15-25,000 size crowds for a couple of years. This option makes a lot of sense for all parties.
The Kangaroos appear to have found that much sought after second watering hole which in reality has been under their pouches all along.
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November 25th 2010 @ 7:07am
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 7:07am | Report comment
Of course Labor has to win the election this Saturday. Either way though I would expect the Vic Government to still support football.
November 25th 2010 @ 7:30am
Mark Young said | November 25th 2010 @ 7:30am | Report comment
Very very good decision
November 25th 2010 @ 8:00am
Mark Young said | November 25th 2010 @ 8:00am | Report comment
Now we need the Giants to play twelve home games a year out of Hobart and rename themselves the Devils
No in all seriousness it is good to see Sport going to the followers and fans. I have a close mate who is dyed in the wool Kangaroos and comes from Ballarat so he will be singing a happy tune this morning.
November 25th 2010 @ 7:30am
Anthony said | November 25th 2010 @ 7:30am | Report comment
I like this idea. Everyone wins. Except all the Collingwood supporters in Ballarat!
November 25th 2010 @ 7:39am
Cpaaa said | November 25th 2010 @ 7:39am | Report comment
With all due respect to you RedB, but this sort of money splashed at Australias richest sporting organization makes me ill.
For far too long ive had to read the afl faithful on the Football tab screaming at how FFA are spending 42million of TAXPAYER money for a World Cup to be hosted in Australia. Ill repeat it for the 1000th time, a World CUP that will benefit every single person, sport and business if awarded the rights.
So when I see Australias richest organisation reaping money from government
( to be polite) or taxpayers ( to sound negative) for one sport to upgrade stadiums, it really does puzzle me.
This in the last 12 months, and I may have missed out on some change as well.
30 MILLION for a Ballarat stadium that will play 4 games there? (if gov elected)
25 MILLION from the ACT for 4 games at Mauka Oval for GWS games
45 MILLION to upgrade Sydney showgrounds for GWS
60 MILLION to upgrade Carrara Stadium for GC Suns.
Its fine that these are regional developments, but 160 MILLION ? and just 4 games in two of them? League, Rugby and Football needs cash as well so why the huge handouts for the AFL. It doesn’t sound right no matter which sport you follow.
November 25th 2010 @ 8:11am
True Tah said | November 25th 2010 @ 8:11am | Report comment
Cpaa
its election time in Victoria coming up and politicians always make these sort of grandiose statements. Labor may be in for some trouble in Victoria.
I wouldnt complain about the ACT Govt looking at AFL, they were looking at getting involved in FFA, with the 12th HAL side but have not exactly been treated well by the FFA.
the $42m for the WC bid doesnt guarantee anything, it doesnt necessarily translate to anything tangible, apart from a lot of weight be added to the wallets of fat cat consultants. The $160m is being spent on community facilities.
And its not just for one sport, cricket can be played at AFL grounds as well.
November 25th 2010 @ 8:27am
The Phantom said | November 25th 2010 @ 8:27am | Report comment
Not at Narrandera where there is the best facilities in the southern half of NSW restricted to 9 games of Aussie Rules per year with every second or third year a pre-season AFL game – no cricket, league or union on that ground.
November 25th 2010 @ 8:15am
Wayno said | November 25th 2010 @ 8:15am | Report comment
The change you missed would be the 530 million for the Adelaide oval upgrade.
November 25th 2010 @ 8:34am
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 8:34am | Report comment
Not sure why your complaining Cpaaa. The Victorian tax payer funded a $250M rectangular stadium for minority sports in Victoria.
November 25th 2010 @ 9:25am
Aka said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:25am | Report comment
the bubbledome used by 3 sports. rough figures – heart play 14 games there, Victory 10, Storm 11 and Rebel (not sure) 6?
Also has been used for RL internationals. Will be used for W-league games.
That is genuine sharing of facilities and $250 million very well spent.
November 25th 2010 @ 9:41am
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:41am | Report comment
I’m not arguing against it, just saying it is not a small investment in comparison it is not as if no Govt money has been spent. The stadium only holds 30K but has been filled 1-2 times.
W-League – your kidding!
November 25th 2010 @ 1:47pm
Aka said | November 25th 2010 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
Kidding? in what respect? Doesn’t the AFL justify government expenditure on facilities because of community use or some local organisation having an office in the building? Hardly stadium fillers.
November 25th 2010 @ 2:28pm
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
Dont make me laugh Aka.
The W League has close to zero pull as a spectator sport in this country. Nothing against womens soccer but its not in the same ‘league’ as even the poorly attended A League.
The bottom line is taht the minority spectator sports had $250M spent on a brand new stadium and did not have to put in a cent. Some of the AFL stadiums for GC and Homebush Showgrounds have AFL contributions.
The A League for example is the biggest parasite in Australian sport when it comes to stadiums and their fans should not criticise.
November 25th 2010 @ 2:34pm
punter said | November 25th 2010 @ 2:34pm | Report comment
The W league in Australia pulls twice the spectators of any AFL competition outside of Australia though.
Not bad for a women’s sport up against a sport that craves int’l sport.
November 25th 2010 @ 2:38pm
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
oh brilliant analogy, keep ‘em coming punter
November 25th 2010 @ 2:57pm
punter said | November 25th 2010 @ 2:57pm | Report comment
No worries Redb, after all those threads of the great Australian game expansion plans into China, the Pacific, Sth Africa, the US & China, it’s good to put the spectators numbers in perspective.
November 25th 2010 @ 3:11pm
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 3:11pm | Report comment
Punter, not even close to the topic or of relevance which I guess proves you got nuthin’
November 25th 2010 @ 3:25pm
punter said | November 25th 2010 @ 3:25pm | Report comment
Hey Redb, you the one who brought up minority spectator sports, just obiliging.
November 25th 2010 @ 5:44pm
mick h said | November 25th 2010 @ 5:44pm | Report comment
redb what about the stupid nsw gov who is upgrading syd showground and anz staduim is 500 metres away this is not about sport this is about gov wasting our money i’d prefer it spent on roads and hospitals. nsw labour will be turfed out in march and the first thing o’farrell should do is stop the syd showgrounds upgrade.
November 25th 2010 @ 6:16pm
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 6:16pm | Report comment
That’s great thing for the Giants.
Cheers
November 25th 2010 @ 7:28pm
mick h said | November 25th 2010 @ 7:28pm | Report comment
not if people don’t go redb they should be using anz stadium. i hope we win the soccer world cup and anz staduim is redeveloped into a 90,000 rectangular stadium and it can never be used for afl or cricket again. that would certainly put a few noses out of joint redb especially you and the afl. i urge every rl soccer and rugby supporter to lobby the government for this to happen.
November 25th 2010 @ 7:49pm
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 7:49pm | Report comment
By all means Mick h go for it
don’t like your chances.
November 25th 2010 @ 2:26pm
Cpaaa said | November 25th 2010 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
RedB im not complaining that Australias richest organisation has managed to pull some substantial amount of millions from government to upgrade and build oval stadiums. In some respect i dont think it is fair on the rest of the nation. Its these sort of things that irritates fans of other codes. AFL keep getting a ” free kick” so to speak. Deep pockets and better handouts. Canberra West Sydney & GC are new markets and new deals are struck with mega government grants before the market is tried and tested. What irks me is that AFL folk post on the Football tab as to what a waste of money it is to bid for a World Cup that is not guaranteed. Australia may not get it, (cpaaa says we will), and if we do then it would be $40M well spent. We will all see the legacy of a WC, even the AFL, but I dont think i will be passing ballarat or manuka oval any time soon to catch an afl game.
AKA has already posted the importance for a rectangular stadium in Melbourne with its wide range of uses. Oval stadiums these days have pretty much one use, and that is for AFL matches. But because there are not enough teams to fill them, they cleverly work out a deal with the gov to send teams to play a few games there and another AFL embassy appears… conveniently funded by Government.
RedB i didnt mean to turn this into any code war, and ill refrain from posting anymore because the people of Ballarat (the afl fans) have done well, they will be able to enjoy some aussie rules footy soon enough instead of travelling to Melbourne.
The article caught my attention because of government handouts, political elect promises and you wrote it.
November 25th 2010 @ 2:31pm
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
Yes I was very upfront that it is Vic election related, nothing hidden by me. Saying that this has been mootedfor awhile.
The NRL has the richest backer in Australia in News Ltd, it is one hundred times bigger than the AFL.
November 25th 2010 @ 10:44am
TCunbeliever said | November 25th 2010 @ 10:44am | Report comment
The central flaw in your premise is that a potential Association Football World Cup in Australia would benefit every Australian and every business..
That is an out-and-out lie.
The only people it will benefit are those who will be attending the upgraded venues after the event.
November 25th 2010 @ 9:03am
Cpaaa said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:03am | Report comment
how did i miss that one. half billion for adelaide oval upgrade.
TT i see what your saying, but lets not forget that the ACT gov is paying for 4 games to watch a Sydney Club. Not a team of their own. I could think of better ways to spend $25million government money instead of 4 games of AFL per year. The Ballarat deal is the same. So when u look at it, the ACT deal for FFA was a suckers deal when they have 25 million to splash on 4 Afl games.
42M for a World Cup bid is not a lot for what is at stake here? the cost is about $2 per person and if successful the entire nation will be in overdrive.
What the Gov is spending on AFL is pointless and irrelevant to many. If the AFL can convince corporates and governments out of 100s of millions of dollars and i say good luck luck to them for doing. But NOW there must be a balance from the views of AFL fans about government handouts. The richest body is doing quite nicely on its own and at the same time collecting substantial coin from Goverment or taxpayers as it is so often called by afl folk on the Football tab. Thats if you are more concerned about community investment, because this is a Government AFL investment for the AFL.
We can say cricket can use its grounds. Unless Australia is playing regulary at Manuka oval, then cricket doesnt really have much strength to this argument.
November 25th 2010 @ 9:14am
beaver fever said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:14am | Report comment
The Canberra deal is over 10 years, the games are underwritten, so that brings the amount back substantially (600K) per game.
Perspective please !!.
November 25th 2010 @ 9:38am
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:38am | Report comment
AFL is the by far the most popular spectator sport in the country, it has the crowds to fill the stadiums so it makes sense the AFL gets a good deal on new stadiums. Crowds equal tourism for many areas, they fill bars and restuarants, take up hotel rooms. there are considerable flow on effects from big crowds that you dont get with say TV ratings which do nothing for a local economy.
November 25th 2010 @ 7:32pm
mick h said | November 25th 2010 @ 7:32pm | Report comment
if afl is the most popular spectator sport in the country why hasn’t it ever filled anz staduim in sydney redb.
November 25th 2010 @ 7:53pm
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 7:53pm | Report comment
The country is not Sydney bit for s niche sport afl games have pulled some good crowds even in fickle Sydney (not my description).
Overall attendances over 7 million per year double that of the nrl.
Stick to the topic or take your agenda elsewhere.
November 25th 2010 @ 9:16am
Art Sapphire said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:16am | Report comment
redb – I look into my crystal ball and I see a vision – the North Western Ballarat Roodogs.
They will play 11 home games in Ballarat. Smorgon and Brayshaw will share the presidency.
The mascot will have the head of a bulldog and the body of a kangaroo.
Michael C and Pip will exchange vows before the bounce of Roodogs first game.
Can’t wait
November 25th 2010 @ 9:24am
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:24am | Report comment
Art,
Perhaps. I think this is a good move for both clubs individually. Geographicially even better for the Western Bulldogs and the burgeoning western suburbs of Melbourne – one of the fastest growing regions in Australia.
Makes a lot of sense for the two smaller Melb clubs to have a boutique size venue where they can make some money. TV rights still maximised for 9 games.
November 25th 2010 @ 9:32am
Art Sapphire said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:32am | Report comment
redb – on paper it makes sense. We’ll have to wait until the first few games to see if it works.
How many North supporters will travel to Ballarat? How many locals support North?
How many locals who support other AFL clubs will turn up to watch a game between North and an interstate team?
November 25th 2010 @ 9:45am
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:45am | Report comment
I think for a 15K stadium its a no brainer, they will have few problems getting a good crowd for the size of stadium. In fact it might be too small.
Just have to feel sorry for the GC Suns who will play in July/August there. Brrrrr……
November 25th 2010 @ 9:50am
Wayno said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:50am | Report comment
How many actual football fans can you fit into a 15K venue after corporates, officials and sundry hangers on?
November 25th 2010 @ 11:24am
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 11:24am | Report comment
Yeah dunno, 12-13K I guess.
November 25th 2010 @ 10:02am
Art Sapphire said | November 25th 2010 @ 10:02am | Report comment
you got a point their redb – it’s freezing up there in winter.
I can see the Suns playing in thermals when they visit
November 25th 2010 @ 3:15pm
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 3:15pm | Report comment
Art, night games in particular would be freezing. Done tours of duty for junior basketball in mid winter in Ballarat and even inside a basketball stadium Eskimos would complain
November 25th 2010 @ 9:52am
Republican said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:52am | Report comment
Cpaaa
Thing is, despite the GWS not being a Canberra ‘brand’ ( these so called elite ‘teams’ are artificially loyal and don’t truely reflect their community or tribe – they are simply businesses) they will pull a far healthier gate than any Soccer team with Canberra branding ever would.
Cheers
November 25th 2010 @ 11:34am
True Tah said | November 25th 2010 @ 11:34am | Report comment
Republican
on what do you base that – the HAL games draw healthy crowds in Canberra, the socceroos drew 25,000 when they played, there are like 50,000 registered futbol players in canberra.
November 25th 2010 @ 4:51pm
beaver fever said | November 25th 2010 @ 4:51pm | Report comment
I dont think there are anywhere near 50,000 registered futbol players in the ACT at all.
I have heard 16,000 bandied around on this site, which sounds far more credible.
November 25th 2010 @ 9:55am
Republican said | November 25th 2010 @ 9:55am | Report comment
As far as Doggies go, makes alot more sense/cents than taking business across the ditch – to be sure.
November 25th 2010 @ 12:04pm
Republican said | November 25th 2010 @ 12:04pm | Report comment
True Tah
I agree, Soccers grass roots are high across the nation, however this does not seem to be reflected at the elite spectator level and Canberra is no exception in this respect.
You are referring to an International fixture with that gate of 25k, which is far in excess of anything you could expect a local Canberra side to attract which would be closer to an average gate of 8K I reckon – but I am willing to be proven wrong.
November 25th 2010 @ 12:38pm
Jack said | November 25th 2010 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
Great to see the government supporting a struggling club, and our regions! I live in Ballarat and would love easy access to AFL games. got my vote
November 25th 2010 @ 2:40pm
Redb said | November 25th 2010 @ 2:40pm | Report comment
Absolutely, its about time some of the big Vic centres other than Geelong got some live football. Ballarat and Bendigo are big centres which are growing rapidly as Melbourne house prices squeeze people out.