Gabba down, itâs the SCGâs turn.
The SCG is still a really nice ground, chasing places against the other cities isnât a reason to work on it.
They could do a massive refurb and only be 6th best. The Perth/Brisbane stadiums are/will be full new builds and completely modern, the Adelaide Oval is a perfect example of a modernisation, and the MCG will always be superior for capacity and atmosphere, and likely will get its own refurb.
And then itâs just up to if the new Hobart stadium is good or not.
The SCG needs a Moore Park Metro station more than a refurb - especially if they wanted any sort of capacity increase.
The OâReilly, Brewongle and Churchill stands need serious work - Iâm told their condition was the same, if not worse than the condition of Allianz Stadium when the decision was made to demolish next door. Although I believe there are concerns about the Members & Ladies stands being able to be brought up to modern requirements without impacting the heritage elements too.
The AFL media have started putting pressure on improving the media facilities to a similar standard to the Cricket facilities in the new stand.
Itâs hard to see this happening - unless there is a push to connect to a metro that would go further east. The light rail connection to Central is decent but a tad constrained by limited storage/platforms at both Central and Moore Park for event trams
They donât use the same?
No, the AFL boxes are in the Brewongle Stand while the Cricket boxes are in the Noble stand (Paddington End)
Sydney Metro West is currently under construction but at the moment it terminates at Hunter Street in the CBD. It is the ideal candidate for extension to the south east including Moore Park.
The three stands you have mentioned are well past their use by date.
The best position for cricket commentary is head-on to the wicket whereas the best position for most other sports including football/AFL is side-on so you have an equal view of both ends of the field.
So no, they donât use the same boxes.
Well we did have bits falling off the roof of the OâReilly Stand during the BBL last season.
I wonder to what extent they can just continue the Trumper Stand around both sides (knocking out the OâReilly, Brewongle and Churchill). Could still probably have that little nook for the Messenger Stand/Scoreboard. Could take the capacity up to around 55K, but thatâs possibly still not enough for the Bloods.
Itâd be nice if the SCG can remain a cricket ground (like Adelaide) and not just another stadium (like Perth and Melbourne).
Well yeah, but donât the MCG boxes get used for both?
I agree, you probably have to over commit here. If they could sell out 50k build them a 60k, even a 65k. Giving room for growth for a longer time before you have to build again. The only problem they have is Accor, which means you would only be getting AFL and cricket at the SCG, while in say Melbourne, Perth or Adelaide the rectangular venues arenât big enough for SOO, international touring football teams or rugby union tests so the oval stadiums get these matches and so can justify the larger space.
Yes indeed.
The MCG, like the Gabba, runs across the cricket wicket for footy. My seat at the Gabba looks down the bowlerâs arm for cricket and is right on the centre bounce for AFL.
The SCG runs along the cricket wicket for footy. Think of it this way, the sight screens in summer are in the same place the goal posts are in winter. This is the same for the Adelaide Oval, but the opposite for the G and the Gabba.
Interestingly, at Accor theyâve run the cricket wicket in both directions.
Space is a significant impediment at the SCG, there isnât room to expand outside of the existing footprint without encroaching on Driver Avenue or into the Disney Studios leased area. While theyâll get an uplift in seats through a more efficient design, its unlikely to be significant.
Cricket are also likely to make the capacity to have a drop in wicket a requirement, which if venues NSW agree, will make designing a new stand at the Randwick end challenging.
I read somewhere they were hoping for an uplight to 55-60k capacity by redesigning the three stands. I doubt the public will stomach more stadium spend but it is essential moving forward. When you sit in the newer stands versus the older ones the experience is totally different.
Leichhardt is being renovated as much for Sydney FCs womenâs team (and so the menâs team has an alternate venue should the SFS be already booked) as it is for the Tigers
Plenty of better venues in the NPL they can play at. Leichhardt has had its time.
If worse comes to worse, they can turn one of the athletics venues at Homebush into their new home grounds.
The Athletics option wonât please the football fans (too far away, barely any seating to begin with), and many NPL clubs donât want a bar of any A-League club regardless of gender (hence the push from said clubs for the 2nd tier)
Who cares. $ydnry FC can build their own small stadium, 2nd tier will die in the arse because the old NSL clubs and FA are running it (not that the A-League is much better) and Wests have enoufh venues they can play at. Forget Leichhardt, spend tax payers money elsewhere. Balmain is dead, buried, cremated.