I have never been to Dolphin Stadium.
In fact, I don’t ever recall spending a night in Redcliffe and perhaps only a family driving holiday many years ago saw me venture into the Moreton Bay Local Government Area.
Some would argue that considering my tense and combative connection with the Brisbane Roar and the entire state of Queensland, it has been wise of me to stay well away from Australia’s third most populated state.
One day, Brisbane and I will hopefully kiss and make up and its football team escape the dreaded “kiss of tipping death” with which I have torched them over the years.
One day.
But for now, things remain a little frosty.
Currently, the A-League’s most supported team according to recent data has far bigger fish to fry and more important issues with which to deal in the lead up to the 2021 season.
After a generation of play inside the 52,000-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, the club has made its intentions clear to venture further north and play home matches at the recently improved Dolphin Stadium at Redcliffe.
It is not a completely new idea, with crowds of 9,387 and 9,224 turning up to the ground for the club’s matches against Melbourne City and Perth Glory respectively in 2020.
With a capacity of 11,500, the atmosphere enjoyed by fans and the view afforded them were vastly improved on the circumstances in existence at Suncorp.
With Sydney FC fans enjoying the champions’ move to Netstrata Jubilee and Leichhardt Oval last season, Brisbane have now laid out a plan to tread a similar path; one oft requested by many Australian football fans sick of viewing matches in cavernous and soulless stadiums, designed and purpose built for other codes and activities.
(Albert Perez/Getty Images)
Despite an agreement between Brisbane Roar and Stadiums Queensland that should have seen Roar play at least one more season out of their long-time home, the club has been proactive and moved decisively with just seven weeks remaining before kick-off.
In official correspondence, Brisbane Roar members received an email where a clear intention to depart Suncorp ASAP was expressed in no uncertain terms.
“The club will be looking to play it’s a-League fixtures at Dolphin Stadium for the coming season with a number of W-League Matches as double headers or a stand alone fixture.”
Expectedly, reaction has been mixed.
Many Roar fans residing north of the state capital are embracing the idea; in the full knowledge that attendance at home matches will now involve an easier and less time consuming commute.
People as far north as Caboolture will now face a mere 30-minute trip down the coast to Redcliffe.
In contrast, residents of the southern Brisbane suburbs will be well and truly peeved that physically supporting the men in orange will now involve a potential doubling of their time in transit.
As an example, a friend of mine resides in Sunnybank, south of the CBD. A drive to Dolphin Stadium without traffic looks likely to take around 45 minutes.
Matches played in the 7.30pm timeslot could well result in that time being extended somewhat, with a post-COVID 19 Brisbane hopefully beginning to resemble its vibrant and bustling self in the near future.
As with most decisions, there will be winners and losers. Sadly, Roar fans who previously travelled extensive distances from the south may well be forced into their lounges rather than cars; unable to muster the energy to initiate what could be quite an arduous and slow trip north.
How many Roar fans will head up to Redcliffe? (Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Others will be clapping their hands with glee, pleased as punch that a similarly stressful trip south into the busy CBD is no longer required.
Should the numbers effectively cancel each other out, I guess the change will eventually become one of those “it is what it is” scenarios, and potentially forgotten by all bar those rendered incapable of watching their team play live.
New manager Warren Moon seemed mystified by the dissatisfaction emanating from some quarters, stating rather flippantly that he couldn’t “see what the big deal is.”
Perhaps a photo of a family all kitted out in Roar gear, waving flags and enjoying a sunny afternoon of A-League action might alter his view, particularly once he discovered that mum and dad would not be renewing memberships due to the unlikelihood of attending matches.
No doubt, a successful Roar would see that family replaced by one further north and should the financial bottom line remain constant or even improve slightly in terms of memberships and attendance, the suits in Brisbane will be happy.
However, as many fans have already expressed, there are wounded and hurt Roar people who will miss seeing their improving squad in action this season.
Sadly, at a time when we need them most, a small group of A-League fans in Brisbane will not be buying memberships, tickets to matches, hot dogs, pies, drinks and/or merchandise. Instead, they will be hoping to watch their team on an ever shrinking Fox Sports coverage.
If this is indeed the final season of Fox’s involvement with the A-League, who knows where and when those fans will get to see Brisbane Roar in action in 2022.
Martyn Murray
Guest
this is not about how good Redcliffe is to live. It's about the suitability for a Brisbane team to be playing out of Brisbane.
Martyn Murray
Guest
well said. It is Brisbane Roar not Redcliffe Roar
Martyn Murray
Guest
No longer a follower of Roar. Playing home games in Redcliff takes it out of my league. Suncorp Stadium was central for everyone and as fair as possible. Covid has shown that the A league is no longer that important to me so back to following the UK Premier League. At least I can get to see the games on the internet even if the commentary is in a foreign language.
Popavalium Andropoff
Guest
Isn't Miron involved with the Strikers? He's got a fair amount of moolah.
Micko
Roar Rookie
What about Brisbane City? (or anyone else)
Geordie
Roar Rookie
Despite the lack of a train station or pubs/cafes nearby, I think a reconfigured scaled down QSAC would be a great option for the Roar. Some of the existing stands could be moved. I might be a bit biased being nearby in Sunnybank a 5min walk away.
Rod
Guest
Perry Park, owned by the QSF, close to transport and the valley or brekky creek. It’s just sitting there wasting space. Will cost little to develop then building another stadium.
Mark Burrowes
Guest
Roar in an 11.5k stadium north side (until a purpose built football stadium for 20k is delivered centrally at Perry Park) beats 9k Aleague crowds and 2.5k Asian League grounds at Suncorp for mine!! Logan and south can follow a Gold Coast expansion team in the bext couple of years!
Wheelbarrow
Roar Rookie
Is the a league major event? 5-10 thousand ain’t major
Micko
Roar Rookie
I don't understand what point you're trying to make?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Doesn’t matter, Chelsea were as well. This is the rare and unusual origins of English soccer teams. Those two clubs were the exceptions. Most clubs were grassroots locals who wanted to create their own suburban/town side.
Giuseppe Sapere
Guest
As a Southside based Roar fan I am disappointed. I understand the financial aspect but that doesn’t make me feel better about the move. For someone like myself who doesn’t drive, the trip from my house in East Brisbane or if I’m at my girlfriends house in Wynnum, between 90 minutes and just over two hours, depending of time of day matches would be played. Even working in the city, a Friday night game would virtually be impossible to attend on time and then the travel back would make it a very late night. Those of us who have decided not to renew our memberships whether it be for travel distance or even the financial aspect, have had to endure abuse from other fans who the new location now suits because we are “plastic” or “not real Roar supporters”. Again, I understand that the club have made this decision for the best interest of the club, but the club also sometimes forget that without fans, a club isn’t anything. Only time will tell if the move proves to be a good one not only financially, but in the interests of its supporter base.
jbinnie
Guest
Stu - Not wishing to get into a debate about this but Broncos average gates over a season are easily sourced and I think you will find that average is much nearer 30,000 than the Suncorp capacity of 52,000. In fact in an article written by a Brisbane Times Sports Editor in 2014 he supplies figures that, if looked upon with a cold economic eye, would see an outcome of certain stadiums being erased or the management group of those facilities cleared out of their jobs. Here are some of his figures- QE11 - capacity (now), 45,000, average attendance to all events- 1500. Gabba - capacity 42,000, average attendance to all events- 14,500. Suncorp -capacity 52,000, average attendance to all events-27,000. Robina -capacity 29000, average attendance to all events- 11,500. Entertain. Centre - capacity 13,500, average attendance to all events 9,000 These figures (2014) prove beyond any doubt that out stadia were originally over engineered but ,having been erected, have become nothing more than a political football to be kicked around by varied government department over the last 40 years. You may not be aware of the fact that when QE11 was being shown to visiting FIFA officials back in the early 1980's, a council employee told one of these gentlemen, who, on questioning the size of the "grassed area", in no uncertain manner that " this stadium was built for athletics not for football". Estimated cost at the time was $8 miillion !!!!!!!. The "grassed area" was in fact too small to have ANY international football played on the grass. That is what my gripe was about, how our stadia are being mismanaged, not with a view to making them more profitable, but letting them lie unused, as the Times editor said ,"gathering dust". Cheers jb. ps The problem the Broncos had back then was that the club had a signed sponsorship deal with a major brewer when Suncorp also had a signed sponsorship agreement with their opposition, XXXX. jb.
Derek Winter
Guest
The move to Redcliffe will allow the Sunshine Coast fans easier access to home matches.
Montague
Guest
??? Dolphins Stadium is not 1 hour 45 minutes (2hrs15mins less 30mins) north of Suncorp Stadium.
A Person
Guest
I'm a Nix fan who grew up out at Redcliffe and live closer to Suncorp now but I'm honestly considering grabbing a 2 game pass as I think it's a great decision from the Roar
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Don't necessarily disagree J BInnie. I was merely pointing out that Suncorp in a smaller form was in fact not large enough to cater for the Broncos base. As such, they have shown many times that 45,000 plus crowds do attend even outside finals time. The post above suggested that Beattie and co made it larger than necessary for their own personal satisfaction. On the other hand it could be seen as visionary in terms of a powerful and growing club. Albeit, they are currently rubbish.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Clive Palmer interested? Tinkler?
Stuart Thomas
Expert
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Stuart Thomas
Expert
And yet six of the nine highest drawing Broncos home crowds at Suncorp (all in excess of 48,000 were achieved in normal home and away play (not finals). It seems that Beattie and others were correct in seeing the need for a 52,000 seater. When in better form that they have been recently, the Broncos have been able to fill it on many occasions.