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.
Duffer
Guest
i agree with the last comment, i live in the northern suburbs and im a Crows fan it would save me like 25mins either way is the Crows played at Adelaide Oval and more peope in the northern suburbs support Crws rather than Port so a move for Crows fans is best for travel
Duffer
Guest
Adelaide Crows should move to Adelaide oval and not port for one simple reason AAMI stadium is nearer poer adelaide than Adelaide Oval so if port move there, then whats the point of calling them port because there not near the port, Adelaide Crows who fit there better there r called Adelaide and Adelaide Oval is in the city not the port so money should not coem to this. If port moved there insted of Adelaide crows then then that would be piontless andyou might as well call the city a port then, Think about is everyone is thinking this but people are scared of change which is wrong, so the Crows should move there as its in the city
JB
Guest
AAMI Stadium is simply not good enough so a move to the city is necessary. Adelaide Oval came up due to Port Adelaide pushing the move. AAMI is crap and the SANFL are ripping us off there as it is. A simple solution would have been allowing Port Adelaide to move to Adelaide Oval with the capacity after the current development, 35,000 would suit us perfectly. But the SANFL has always said either both teams move or neither does. The problem with that is Adelaide Oval = good for Port = bad for Crows. AAMI = good for Crows = bad for Port. This is why a new stadium was and IS the best option. Not to mention South Australia will be reducing it's oval stadia from 2 down to 1. And it will only be 50,000 capcity which is less than we currently have which will limit membership and attendance rather than cater for growth. And the damage it will to Adelaide Oval's uniqueness and history. For years i have been pleading for Port to move to Adelaide Oval. But i simply don't agree with this waste of money to upgrade Adelaide Oval when a new stadium, complete with roof could be built at a more worthy cost. Either build a new stadium or simply let Port move to Adelaide Oval and leave Crows at AAMI. Don't think Adelaide Oval will be a great World Cup venue either. Cricket should stay at AO with AFL and other sports, events able to be hosted at new city stadium.
BigAl
Guest
Are'nt they 'owned' by the SANFL who also own Football Park(AAMI) ? I would have thought that it would not be in the SANFL's interest to lose the revenue from AFL games at AAMI.
Phil
Guest
1. AFL boss Andrew Demetriou held secret talks with the SACA about a new stadium at Adelaide Oval long before the SANFL were told of the plan. Curious ? Yes. Dodgy ? Yes. Deceitful ? Yes 2. The SA government had earlier originally promised $100 million to the SANFL for upgrades to AAMI stadium. That promise has now been broken and the offer is permanently withdrawn. 3 When the "plan" for the new stadium became public, the govt. offered $450 million toward costs, and not a penny more. 4. At that point the SACA declared a debt of $85 million which it was not assumed would be wiped as part of the $450 million from the govt. At around this time they suddenly announced that an old grandstand was "unsafe' and had to be knocked down 5. Next, the SACA debt became $90 million and the govt., Treasurer was pounced on from a great height by News Ltd. for increasing the amount from the govt.. In reality it looked like News Ltd. [The Advertiser] may have conflated a couple of issues for their own purposes. When did the SACA tell the Treasurer about the need to pay off their loan. Possibly not soon enough. 6. It looks as if Mr. Demetriou would like to wrest control of the Adelaide clubs from the SANFL for whatever reason. Given the millions paid to the AFL by these two clubs on joining the AFL, he should be more accommodating rather than behaving like a dictator. Is it because AAMI Stadium is owned by the SANFL, [paid for by supporters over many years]. Does he care that the SANFL Clubs are going to be financially worse off ? Of course not. 7. Port Adelaide Football Club must be hoping their supporters numbers will miraculously increase with the new venue. Good luck with that.
Anthony
Guest
It is NOT a good idea for any AFL team to play at Adelaide oval. And I say this as a foundation Port Power member & a PAFC member for most of my adult life! I remember the apalling way we footy supporters were treated by SACA in the 60's & 70's.....lining up overnight until 11 am, no reserved seating, etc, whilst the silvertails walzed in to watch our SANFL finals for free. Then SANFL got their own stadium at Westlakes, & we had the facilities & privileges we should have had. Why would we want to share a stadium with cricket, when we have one that footy controls 100%? I don't want to catch a bus into the city - I certainly won't get car parking! The northern mound is just so right for cricket - so leave Adelaide as a nice cricket ground & put the money into a modern stadium for footy at Westlakes.
beaver fever
Guest
You would think that a central ground would be the answer to adding a bit of vibrancy to the city, the reason football park was built, was because of problems with cricket and the need for South Australian football to control their own destiny. Seems like a good idea to ground share with cricket, in a 50/50 partnership, which has not happened in the past.
Wayno
Guest
We seem to be labouring under the illusion that the Adelade football club is some sort of member driven democracy. Well it's not nor ever has been and in the end it'll do whatever it's owner tells it to. Despite all the rhetoric and argy bargy it's owner won't be willing to cook the goose that lays the golden egg. It'll happen and personally, I can't wait to get in there.
Kermit is a frog
Roar Pro
Port's financial situation is also due to having to play at the SANFL owned AAMI stadium with about double the capacity of what they need. The money for the Adelaide oval redevelopment is in small part (wasn't it 'only' $150 million or so) expected from Federal Govt in case of the WC hosting. The rest was monies already designated for an AAMI stadium upgrade plus improved public transport link to AAMI stadium. The redirected monies for the Adelaide Oval job includes as part of the project the reduction of AAMI stadium to a 15,000 capacity venue - which would be just a fraction too small for Port! Very interesting to watch how it all plays out. For footy tourists, a 55,000 central city venue would be a dream. (no need to drive out to AAMI and park in the car park and have your car keyed by ferals!!).
Beer O'Clock
Guest
I believe the decision hinges on the 2022 World Cup bid. No final decision will be made until that is decided.