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If I owned Etihad Stadium, and was totally motivated by money, I would sell it to property developers. Problem is, the AFL needs another ground – all games can’t be played at the MCG.
So keep Docklands – the league gets the joint in 2025 anyway.
This would be the ideal situation. As it is already built, it just needs to be maintained, and could still be hosting games for 50 more years. Look at The Colosseum in Rome – almost 2000 years old and still getting paying punters through the gates daily.
If, on the other hand, you sell up and go elsewhere, where do you go?
Adding another ground to the Yarra Park, Swan st, tennis stadium area would be idiotic – there are too many grounds already there.
I would go elsewhere. But where in Melbourne? What site has loads of public transport, roads, car parks and convenient? Sandown Park, Western Oval, Princes Park are just a few places off the top of my head.
Really, we should keep Docklands and add a third ground that holds 30,000. Princes Park would be my choice, but I doubt the millionaire NIMBYs that live in those parts would be terribly keen on the idea.
What has slipped under the radar as far as stadium development is concerned is this business with Manuka Oval in Canberra. The Giants have moved chief operating officer Richard Griffiths to the Nation’s Capital to lobby for the ground’s $800 million redevelopment.
Does this mean the Giants are looking to bail on western Sydney? There’s no way the ACT government and private developers will settle for just three or four matches a year for all that money.
I would be very disappointed in the AFL if they allowed the Giants to just cut and run, especially when they are on the cusp of success over the next decade with their young list.
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