It’s all a bit up in the air at the moment. The Adelaide Oval redevelopment has been the talking point of many pub talks and dinner conversations since the Stadium Management Authority (SMA) announced its plan to redevelop Adelaide Oval on a budget of $535 million.
The purpose is to build a 50,000 seat stadium accommodating international cricket whilst simultaneously attracting both South Australian AFL clubs into the heart of the Adelaide CBD.
To say there has been conjecture about this project would be an understatement. I mean, who can argue with 6000 one eyed Adelaide Crows fans who signed a petition earlier this year which told Crows CEO Steven Trigg emphatically that Adelaide Oval just isn’t an option and that West Lakes is the only football option for them in South Australia?
The Port Adelaide Football Club, however, is in a much more testing situation financially with a meagre 24,256 fans attending every home game in 2010 (the lowest in the AFL), compared to 31,203 fans which attended every Adelaide Crows home game in 2010.
The revenue of the Port Adelaide Football Club is low, and the move to the Adelaide Oval would boost profits considerably.
Their financial situation may be partially the AFL’s fault for throwing money at new teams from Western Sydney or the Gold Coast, rather than allocating much-needed funds that could help re-establish a once proud Port Adelaide Football Club, but that is a different issue altogether and one which could be written about ’til the cows come home!
Port Adelaide members have repeatedly declared their support for a move to bring AFL back into the city and for their fans, their club and their team. It would be a significant and healthy change to the culture and ethos of the Port Adelaide Football Club.
Another issue that has plagued the gallant SMA, whose job I do not envy one bit, is the constant argument that the once-picturesque Adelaide Oval is turning into another commercial stadium with no charm or heart. I am pleased to report that they have said from day one that they would leave the northern hill and, most importantly, the noble and esteemed scoreboard, which has been running since 1911 and should be kept for as long as the oval hosts sport of any kind.
The old members grandstand has been destroyed and with it went hundreds of invaluable memories shared by fans and players alike. Notably, this includes the Adelaide test match from the 2006/07 Ashes Series.
This match came down to a dramatic conclusion on the final day (which I am proud to say I was attending and jumping out of my chair in total ecstasy), and I am sad to see the grandstand will no longer be there when I attend the forthcoming Ashes test match in December later this year.
After much discussion and frankly, only discussion, it seems that the SMA together with the Adelaide Crows and Port Power Football clubs have finally got their act together by having members meetings to try and better educate the public about the proposed expansion.
The only problem with these meetings is the glaring problem that the Crows have given their fans. The members will not vote on the move to Adelaide Oval. This decision will be left with the club’s board. Now Mr. Trigg, it seems that this fact may cause a bit of uproar within the club’s members.
Who am I kidding?
It will cause massive uproar and outrage and, simply, you’re leaving the decision of the biggest move in the club’s history to the minority rather than the majority, who have been lifelong and dedicated fans of their proud football club.
Ultimately, this issue has a number of very interesting sub-plots. Even though the plan is to connect Cricket and AFL, there will always be fans that will be disconnected from Adelaide Oval when it is completed. Power fans are all for the issue, whilst Crows fans are not.
But as it comes down to the board in the Crows’ case, they will almost certainly move, and I believe that will cause major tension between the members and the club.
Hopefully. the only thing that is up in the air in 2014 are cricket balls and footballs, as well as supporters’ cheering hands, signalling a successful transition for South Australian sport into the heart of Adelaide.
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