Crowd tonight

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Nico

Most Melbournians just head for the footy and then head home after the game. Only as a much younger bloke did I have a couple after the game and then we did not make a welter of it. Usually got sozzled inside the ground.

So is it a necessity/standard in Sydney to spend an hour or two before and after a game at an establishment. Not knocking the practice, just noticed a possible difference in culture.

Interesting point mate. all I can say is that my habits are actually completely the opposite. Especially at SCG matches I just go straight from breakfast at home to the game. Sure I go religiously to the after-match then often head off for pizza with our Kings/Swans gang, but because of the early starts I generally am rushing to get to the ground on time (more so when I was on the banner as well)

At Homebush things are more social, at least before the match. Last night we had about 15-20 or so RWOers gathering together. we chat about things over a drink. It makes going to the footy heaps more fun. The crowds are rather large at the Novotel Brewery after the match, but we do tend to all at least gather together. the drinks are a bit dear, but when there is nowhere else to go, you pop in there even for a quick one.

As we did last night, you can always head into town after a Homebush match. Having the unlimited travel to and from the game makes things so much easier, it must be said.


In Melbourne the games are so cult because of the pre-match get-togthers at the Colonial Hotel and Crickters Arms. Everyone gets to chat, we have a feed or a drink (or a yummy sausage sandwich at the Cricketers). It seems that there are always plenty of Swannies at each of these places. But if you are going to the game on your own, I guess you would never go to a pub if you didn't know anyone.

In Adelaide we either go to the port Outer Army BBQ in the Footy park carpark. Or go to the Crows Shed pre-match. In perth we just go to the Irish club. In Brisbane it is the Pineapple Hotel.

so yeah, I do like to go to a pub pre/post match. Had I not been on RWO, i would simply not have the network of contacts and friends I do who i can catch up with over a cold drink.

JF

[simone]

Originally posted by motorace_182
The quicker we play all home games at Telstra the better. The SCG is a disgrace with pathetic viewing. the ground dimensions alone arent up to AFL standards... we dont have a complete 50m arc for frig sake! Telstra has amazingly easy access via public transport, has awesome food and beverage catering, quality staff that actually know something and even with 30,000 there is a sense of atmosphere. Please move ALL games there ASAP!

I absolutely agree! It's ridiculous that there aren't more games there.

[dann]

This is an interesting subject.

The good things about the SCG is;

-it sounds full with 25 000 people in
-you are a lot closer the action (in terms of proximal distance).
-the feel of the ground is intimate and atmospheric


The bad things about the SCG is;
-the travel ...its terrible to get in and out of (public transport too)
-facilities ... i am sure they don't make as much money at the SCG because people like me don't really like to wait 20 minutes for a beer.
-not as many good seats...there are great places to watch the footy from in the SCG , but these are minimal and if you aren't a stand member then you have to battle with the poor seating options


The good things about Telstra Stadium:
-transport ...its much easier to get to for the majority of the fans
-although the ground has a messy config the viewing angles at the ground are overall pretty good.
- when the crowds is 50000+ the stadium feels great...when its 65000+ its sensational
-beer and pie in 2 minutes
-you can walk straight out of the ground when the siren goes...no waiting in a line for 30 minutes just to get into the carpack (to then wait another 90...)

The bad things about Telstra Stadium.
-if crowd is sub 30 000 it feels like a reserves footy game
-poor sight lines on the flanks (dag nammit)
-Swans don't play as well there (argueably...)

I have to confess - i think Telstra Stadium is a great ground. I live in the Blue Mountains so the prosepct of being home 30mins after the game rather than 2 hours is pretty attractive to me. It does feel grander than being at the SCG - and I think the oldschool thing that 'everyone' who comes to an AFL game is from the Eastern Suburbs is tripe. I think more people from the Eastern Suburbs come to the SCG because its closer - and visa-versa. We still play more at the SCG. As for the home ground arguement - thats just plain silly in modern sporting circles in Australia. I think a crowd at TS is equally as hostile as an SCG crowd. In fact i thought the noise made by the 31 000 odd out there last night was pretty impressive - far noiser crowd than a few years ago.

[Mark]

Originally posted by dann
The good things about Telstra Stadium:
-transport ...its much easier to get to for the majority of the fans
-

Completely wrong !

Every demographic has shown the vast majority of Swans members live in the Eastern suburbs or north shore. So where do people get this crap from ?

[redunderthebed]

well , from an eastern suburb supporters point of view, there will have to be major transport changes to encourage our continual patrage to Homebush. Last night they had a 'special' train from Bondi Jct. that went direct (so no ned to change at Central).This train was news to SRA staff as they were advised about an hour before hand. Well, after waiting 40 minutes at Edgecliff for the bugger, it then took over an hour to get to Olympic Park!!
After the game , we run like rabbits to get the overcrowded rattler back to Central to wait another 30 minutes to get an Eastern Suburbs train.
Sorry, we may be spoilt chardonnay drinkers , but NO-ONE that I know want to go to Homebush for any bloody reason whatsoever.And, this is the problem with the stadium.In truth, as a supporter from the first game in Sydney, I would not re-join if all games were played in this atmosphere-mising hole.AND ,YES, we do want a drink and enjoy ourselves with friends before and after the games in nearby pubs and restaurants that are part of the SCG experience.
Further, the punters from the West do not represent the current Swan supporter.Probably, sadly, never will.So, get over it, we'll stay at the SCG (which, almost everyone agrees, is a great venue )

[Dave]

Originally posted by redunderthebed
Sorry, we may be spoilt chardonnay drinkers



Further, the punters from the West do not represent the current Swan supporter.Probably, sadly, never will.So, get over it, we'll stay at the SCG (which, almost everyone agrees, is a great venue )

So, what does represent the current Swans supporter?
You?? @@@@, I hope not!

I've never read such a stuck up piece of tripe since I've posted here.
The arrogance, not to mention ignorance of you post is staggering.

I've lived in both locations and can tell you that there is more footy culture in the North West than down by Bronte beach on an average Saturday morning.

If you think the SCG is a great venue then take a trip to the MCG, the Gabba, Subiaco or even Football Park. They are proper grounds that dont have 50m lines intersecting the centre square and have proper stands, not old wooden relics.

I think it's time you pulled your head out of your a*se and realised that the world doesn't end at Anzac Pde.

[redunderthebed]

I think you missed my points . Don't think i was having a shot at 'westies' at all. Not my speed mate.Still, if you get your rocks off with calling people @@@@s and ar#$oles your'e my kind of supporter.
Now, back to the Chardy and Classic music ABC.

[cossie]

Originally posted by dann
-you can walk straight out of the ground when the siren goes...no waiting in a line for 30 minutes just to get into the carpack (to then wait another 90...)

I take it from that sentence that you park at the carpark at the ground? If so, it's much quicker to park at randwick racecourse and either walk the short distance to the ground or use the park n' ride buses that depart from the race course every 5 or so minutes. Coming back you only have to queue for 15mins max, usually only about 5-10 mins, for a 5 min bus ride where getting out of the racecourse parking lot is no problem

[dann]

I usually park the Sydney Boys High - as I am (one of the few apparently) who lives in a westward direction from the ground. The Randwick racecourse option is one I haven't tried - but I suppose the wait and walk for bus to and from the SCG couldn't be worse than the lockdown at the final siren.

I understand some of the views to those who live in the eastern suburbs - its great being able to walk into the SCG or even catch a cab - or 10 minute bus. If more and more matches were being shoved away from my home ground I would be upset.

The pubs and clubs thing is important - but its an oldschool sporting attitude - like the argument of of the mid 90's when clubs made the move from suburban grounds to the bigger venues. Its not really what the game is about and its not really what sport is about anymore. The same thing could be said for the ARU when they made the switch to TS - the pre-bledisloe pint in one of the dozens of pubs around Moore park was practically part of the ticket - now they just make a massive drinking area at the Homebush Bay brewery and its absoluetely chocked with people before the big game. The overflow last night had a fair spread of people and at the big Collingwood games in late 2003 - the atmosphere around the ground was amazing - much like the feel of a Rugby test. The drinking is important - but for me its all about the sport - I am not fussed (nor are the kiddies) about whether I can down a few overpriced schooners in some trendy bar before the game.

Mark, you clearly label my info as wrong and if it is then so be it ... I don't have any hard data - but I have been involved with the Swans for the past 18 years and have had some interesting chats to the marketing folk at the Swans. I know that in 2003 the highest proportion of the Swans membership came from areas around Baulkham and Pennant Hills, with the inner Northern Suburbs coming second. They were figures directly from the Swans. I don't know if that has changed, but those stats were brought up in relation to the move to Telstra (justification and such).

Whether it be for a Swans game or otherwise, the journey home from Moore Park is never a speedy one. For a recent Super12 match I was tucked in my bed in the Blue Mountains long before a mate of mine who was travelling to Gordon got home, and out cars were parked right next to each other.

I am not saying we should discard the SCG - its a fiercly intimate ground, and I don't want to see the Swans make the permenant move to TS - but its a nice alternative. The current 4 matches is a good deal methinks.

[GoSouth33]

Originally posted by dann
[..I am not saying we should discard the SCG - its a fiercly intimate ground, and I don't want to see the Swans make the permenant move to TS - but its a nice alternative. The current 4 matches is a good deal methinks. [/B]

Dann, unless you're counting finals, there are only three home and aways at Stadium Oz. The deal includes a game of your choice at the SCG. When they were promoting the deal last night I think they said the next two at the Stadium plus two at the SCG (still giving four games).
Having said that, I agree with your post. It gives a little bit of balance and for three games out of twelve it gives some travelling relief to people west of Homebush.

PS We watched three quarters from behind the northern goals last night and decided to move for the last quarter (somehow I thought the action might be at the southern end...lucky us!) Only got to the the halfway point of the eastern stand, found some vacant seats and were pleasantly surprised with the different viewing angle.....
At least you can move around a little bit at this ground which is something I don't particularly like about the SCG where you get locked into your particular area.

[dann]

Err yeah it should be three - silly sunday night brain. Sorry 'bout that.

[Matt79]

Originally posted by Mark
This is complete garbage on so many levels !

1) Vast majority of Swans members (ie those who pay week in week out) live in Eastern suburbs or north shore. Therefore, your first point is irelevant for two reasons (availabilty of tickets at SCG & demographics).

2) Love to know where "you read" that reason more first time AFL watchers go to telstra is "simply because of its closer proximity" ? Think you will find you simply made it up to suit your point of view ?

3) The fact that there is a large population base in western Sydney does not translate to new members or even fans. This theory has been tried previously by NRL, NBL & soccer all failed.

4) Even people who like Telstra sradium admit that pre and post game options are very limited and cannot even vaguely be compared to the options in and around the paddington/moore park area. So one seafood platter does not make good facilities.

Try sticking to facts when arguing a point

Mark, you are the single biggest joke on this forum. Your arguements in retailiation to fair comments are uneducated, uniformed and displays your total lack of awareness of anything beyond the Eastern Suburbs.

In relation to my and your ponts in return.

1) Why do you think the majority of members come from the Eastern suburbs of Sydney? THE SCG...of course more people are likely to become members if they live closer to the ground. Even more reason to attract new members by playing some games at Telstra Stadium.

2) Read on a Swans' article, website sometime. I'm sorry I can't recall the exact details.

3) Where is your proof? So we don't play games out west because we may not attract members? Let me tell you, as a primary school teacher last year I took 30 children from my local primary school to the Sydney V Collingwood game at TELSTRA STADIUM who had never seen an AFL game before (The Swans kindly gave us 30 tickets). Taking them to the SCG was too far on a Staurday night. As a result of that experience for them, two families have signed as members and 4 others only go to the Telstra Stadium matches. THERE'S A FACT!!

4) I never argued that there were no good facilities around the SCG...there are great eating options. I simply stated that I enjoyed what was provided at Telstra Stadium for 3 MATCHES a year, not the whole season.

Your points were totally invalid and made you look like a complete insular fool.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Mark
4) Even people who like Telstra sradium admit that pre and post game options are very limited and cannot even vaguely be compared to the options in and around the paddington/moore park area. So one seafood platter does not make good facilities.

I fail to see the relevance of this. Do people really go to dinner before or out clubbing or drinking afterwards at a nearby venue?

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by Mark
Completely wrong !

Every demographic has shown the vast majority of Swans members live in the Eastern suburbs or north shore. So where do people get this crap from ?

For crying out loud, put your dummy back in Mark! NOT everyone lives in the bloody Eastern Suburbs. and not everyone is averse to watching our team play at a superior venue with a larger capacity in any area which will help get AF footy into the hearts and minds of people it has never reached before.

Despite your constant myopic rants on this issue you CANNOT refuse the findings the swans made at the first Telstra game aganst Essendon. Over 53% of people at that match had NEVER seen an AFL match before. If 50% come back again then that would have been an extra 25000 supporters for our club.

Stop looking at this that just suit you personally. Telstra Stadium is a highly important tool for which a new market can be reached for the game. It is closer to the game's Sydney 'heartland' the Hills district, it opens up markets like the Bankstown area, Parramatta, Liverpool, the greater west to the game and to the Swans.

I am fed up with a small minority of Sydneysders only ever looking at things on the auspices of what suits them personally. The club has gotten things just right in regards to the amount of games played at either ground. It however does NOT stop the fact that in my belief the SCG is the WORST ground in the AFL facilities-wise. Not decent upgrading, just a bandaid solution of putting more seats in the concourse area. And making them all aqua.

It is however a worrying thought that our 3 'blockbuster' games will be against the 3 lowest teams on the lader. Who'd have thought that 12 months ago?

I wonder if there will ever be the situation where due to the big crowd the AFL will move one of our SCG games to Homebush. Could they logistically do that?

JF

[Go Swannies]

On this weekend's form, perhaps the Doggies could have their "home"game as a blockbuster at Telstra instead of the SCG next year.