Brisbane and Sydney play at massive football stadiums, and they have only filled each once – both being a grand final. You can count on two hands between them how many times they have drawn over 20,000.
I have said from day one that the Moore Park area is difficult to get to, only adding to the problems Sydney has in getting decent crowds. But both clubs have heaps of options of smaller stadiums they could play at.
From every stance I can think of, it would be better if these clubs moved to smaller and more affordable stadiums. In my opinion, for FFA to insist on stadiums like Aussie and Suncorp is being overly optimistic for what crowds these teams can draw.
The clubs and FFA should sit down and draw up a plan; move to smaller stadiums, with a plan to build up the crowds and one day move back to their current homes.
As it stands, it is foolish and costly and does the A-League no good whatsoever.
The finals may be different but as it stands, both these clubs are losing money on these stadium deals and playing in one quarter-full stadiums is not good to look at either.
Sara
Guest
I don't have a problem with the Sydney Football Stadium being the default home ground for Sydney FC but I would like to see the team move around the city and its suburbs a bit more. I know some supporters will react saying that "real supporter" but it would be cool to see the team spread out a bit more. The game in Kogarah had a very nice atmosphere. It'd be nice to have a few more games a season there in the south, a few in Parramatta in the west and as a North Shore resident I think it would be cool to have at least one a season at North Sydney Oval (Against the CC Mariners perhaps?).
Jayj95
Guest
Roar should play games at Ballymore with the big marquee games (like F3 derby and Finals) at Suncorp. Ballymore holds 25000 and Roar gets 15k at most except finals. Sydney should still be based at the SFS and entertain the possibility to bring games to Parameter and around Sydney.
Roon
Guest
Right on about the main arena -bring back Livid! Unfortunately it's just not a good fit for Lend Lease and the RNA. In 6 years time we won't know the place, and that's when we could commence construction. Link it with the neighbouring residential pockets, retail and business centres with bike paths and walking paths & bridges to Albion, Windsor, Bowen Hills and Newstead. The silos at Albion are about to be transformed into apartments, and there's already a community there. Pre-game drinks at the Albion, or or meet at the Brekky Creek pub? Another advantage with a development in this corridor is, like the more succesful renewal projects, it'd be a mix of existing, reconfigured, redeveloped and new buildings. No room for wasteland here.
Tim
Guest
Suncorp is a great place to watch football and is easy to get to. I'd prefer to see the $ spent on selling the Roar and HAL to the people of Brisbane rather than a new stadium.
Qantas supports Australian Football
Guest
Yes indeed some good out of an earthquake----who would have thought that..? Looks just perfect for Football.
Jeb
Guest
I know it'd never happen but I'd still love the RNA to turn the main arena into a smallish, modern, rectangular stadium. If not for football than for something other than cows walking around once a year. Seriously some of my best memories have been in that arena watching the sunset over brisvegas at livid festivals, monster trucks and yes the ekka cows. I reckon it's a missed opportunity. Whats important re your idea for the bowen hills site is that australia has never done urban renewal that well. Docklands is a wasteland and Barangaroo has all the hallmarks of heading the same way. On a smaller scale is bris the urban village up at KG is struggling despite having the best urban design intentions. I'm not saying that the mayne, bowen hills area won't become a thriving tenerife type place however it's def easier said than done.
Steggz
Guest
No no no no NO!!!!!!! SFS is most definitely accessible to most of the city. The only places that I think have grounds to complain are those in the north-west, who have no public transport access. Every game at the SFS has the special event buses, so you can get to Central and catch it out. If you want to walk, yes it's uphill but it's not massively long (15-20 mins for average walkers I think). SFS holds atmosphere, even with only 8k in there. The Cove do a great job at bringing themselves into the game. Stop whinging about 'boutique' stadiums and get people out there to get it to 20k and we don't have this issue. *end of rant*
Steggz
Guest
You obviously have no idea how poor the Roosters crowds are. They only turn up to see the Dragons or Bunnies (and a lot of that is the away fans!)
Midfielder
Guest
Just on the small stadium the gov in NZ plan to build a 20 K stadium ... and the cost is 17 million NZ... if you make the stadiums basic there is not need for mega outlays... http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10764600
Steggz
Guest
But SFC is on a very good wicket with their deal with SFS. If they get over 10,000, they get a decent matchday profit
The Truth Hurts
Guest
Right on there. In fact the QLD government had to change the rules for the number of large events that could be held there (I think for crowds > 30000) because of the high demand/bumper crowds they've had this year.
Midfielder
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Fuss & Q Need to know you are reading ... have a great link for you .... off topic but can you post acknowledging you have read this post so I can get you this link..
Roon
Guest
That Mayne railway tunnel construction site won't even be empty until 2016/17. Plenty of time for the area to regenerate. Look at Tenerife and the way the Valley redevelopment is creeping northwards. The key is for Roar to get a deal signed up with the Gov't then work on ways to fund it. Then time will be on our side. The Gov't will even help us get out of their stadium deal, like they did with the AFL GC Suns. Re: Ekka - check this out: http://www.gcast.com.au/Public/gCast.aspx?blid=ef137b5b103341428edafcf616298341 Came today. Great site but RNA want to retain the Main Arena for the Grand Parade. In the round we'd be further away from the action than at Docklands or Homebush.
CrossIT
Guest
Used 14 times a year during the AFL season, and then used by the QLD Bulls in front of noone. A stadium of that size needs to be used for more then that to be justifiable.
Leeboy
Guest
it's easy for me to get to ;) Also, Burwood station is less of a walk and less steep than walking from central to moore park. Strathfield station is also a 5min bus (like central to moore park) There are huge open fields for parking across the road. (if the council allows them for use as a car park) and there is a big pit of nothingness on the other side of these fields. Parramatta stadium has horrible parking but it manages. But I agree, Parra rd would be an issue. When I said redevelop I meant, add a small stand on one or both ends to enclose it and that it is a bit old and in need of renovations/lights. Doesn't have to be too elaborate or expensive, just a nice grandstand like at Cessnock http://www.austadiums.com/stadiums/stadiums.php?id=308. (imagine that one either ends of concord oval and tell me it wouldnt be the best football stadium!) Also, I know that the council is looking to make concord oval into a professional sporting facility, maybe Sydney could get in their ear. And it would give an identity to the stadium as Sydney wouldn't share it with other major teams (apart from maybe the west harbour pirates) The cove could sit in a stand called "The Cove" and they know it's theirs. They would lap that shit up! Another point is that it is a suburban ground. There could be thousands of people who would watch a game on Fox but because the game is down the road, they will go instead. Anyway, just a thought Also, oly, no need to be a douche!
Jeb
Guest
@ Roon - got to say great post mate. A football specific stadium up at bowen hills would def work on a number of levels. My only reservation is the pace that albion and bowen hills will change to become more like the valley or paddo. I think it'll be a loooong time. And we can't underestimate the appeal suncorp has with caxton street, park road on it's doorstep and town, southbank etc within an easy walk. What's going on with the ekka showground? I mean the main oval. I've often looked at the lovely old stand and thought that it'd be great to integrate that into a modern stadium - scg style. Instant history, valley right there and dedicated train stop. And RNA pays for it haha.
Midfielder
Guest
I like the your idea of Leichhart, Concord, North Sydney Oval, & Belmore as they don't have NRL or RU main users... they all get used but SFC would become the chief user and maybe in a place like Leichhart could get paid a small amount to use it to bring in business to the local area...
Midfielder
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Roon That sounds a good idea...
Midfielder
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Griffo Pity that Newcastle lost Breaker Stadium to a dog track ,,, its was a grand little stadium 12.5 to 14 K...
Jeb
Guest
@ Simon... wouldn't we all like a new stadium just up the road from our place! But seriously richlands is way too far out. I'm not doubting your travel times - it takes me about 20 mins on a good day once I get to the toowong roundabout, however the hard part is getting to this point for anyone who lives north, east or south. And then there's traffic, parking and getting home. Couple that with the lack of amenity (no offence) and I just can't see richlands as any sort of option.