Homebush

[mariachi]

I've tried to like Homebush as a venue, but.... there's something wrong with that Stadium. It wasn't only the team that were off last weekend. The crowd noise and atmosphere were way down. I don't recall a single chant that got going, and we did nothing to lift the team when they needed us. And I don't know why it's like that out there.
Does anyone know how long the contract runs at Homebush? Will we be able to host the big games at the 'G once the redevelopment is finished? Or are we stuck with it? Do we need a fan poll to let the Club know how we feel?

[DamY]

Due to capacity restriction at SCG, ANZ will always be our overflow stadium. I wouldn't blame the venue that much on the crowd involvement, I think that has more to do with the crowd than anything else. I remember the final we played against Collingwood there last year was very satisfying, so I'm pretty ambivalent on the venue. It does have better food than the SCG, but it doesn't have cider which sucks! It however does have the Members Bar which I really like, in fact next time I just might not invite non-members and hang out with my friend up there for the whole game haha

So yeah I don't really care which venue it's at, we've won and lost at ANZ previously so I don't think it's a curse of any sorts. Generally our current game style suits larger venues so we technically should have an advantage at ANZ over SCG, but the loss to Collingwood was simply just a work rate issue, not a venue-related issue.

[Primmy]

I however think the atmosphere at ANZ gets to be laboured. You can see people on the other side clapping away, and you just cannot hear it. The noise just dampens. Give me the SCG every time. Also if y ou happen to get 'wrong' seats, its a nighmare. I shall be going back to my usual possie, which although has its drawbacks requires a bit less anger management.

[Bloodthirsty]

ANZ Stadium sucks big time. Everyone hates it. Can't wait to see the end of it.

[DamY]

The club needs the additional revenue from seat sales that exceed the SCG capacity. I love the SCG, it's around the corner from mine but the club's financial position requires us to maximise revenue wherever possible. And plus I remember how annoying it was when in Round 23 last year hardly anyone could get seats to the Hawks game and this was a month out from the game as well.

[hot potato]

I've tried to like Homebush as a venue, but.... there's something wrong with that Stadium. It wasn't only the team that were off last weekend. The crowd noise and atmosphere were way down. I don't recall a single chant that got going, and we did nothing to lift the team when they needed us. And I don't know why it's like that out there.
Does anyone know how long the contract runs at Homebush? Will we be able to host the big games at the 'G once the redevelopment is finished? Or are we stuck with it? Do we need a fan poll to let the Club know how we feel?

In 408 there were 3 'older' passionate men and a lady who chanted for almost the entire game, we sat behind them and joined in, at half time they produced a tray of amazing cupcakes with red and white icing with the players numbers on them. I got Eski, and my daughter got Tippo, and they were bloody delicious with fruit inside. If I knew how to post a photo I would. Thank you.
HP

[barry]

Anz is an awesome venue, and the more games we play there the better.

The atmosphere was great on the weekend. On level 4 Wing all the noise was reflecting off the roof nicely. That doesnt seem to happen as much at ground level.

Sooner they make it fully roofed the better

[Swansinger]

It's not great for Aussie Rules. And , after 14 years , it always has a look on the way in of being unfinished.
As we have noted many times , it needs to be at least 2/3 full to get real atmosphere.
That soggy, night finals game v North a few years back , with most of the 19k (!!) crowd packed into one corner , was awful.

As for getting a chant going:if everyone around you is quiet,do what I do and start one yourself !
I enjoy "belling the cat" : Who Will Bell the Cat? | SHORT STORY

Supporters must - MUST - take individual responsibility for noise levels.
There are NO excuses.OK , maybe laryngitis - but that's about it.

Others may laugh at you because you're different , but you can laugh at them - because they're all the same !

[jono2707]

From what I understand we are stuck with a contract the was signed some years ago between the AFL and the Stadium's management company. I believe that Mike Fitzpatrick sits, or at least sat, on the board of both organisations, which is itself an 'interesting' situation. I think I'll get in touch with the Swans to get some more details on the status of that contract and how it will impact us in coming years.

AFL support in Sydney has plateaued, according to the Swans (Richard Colless from memory) and there are really not many strong arguments as to why we should continue to play out there, in GWS' territory, wen a refurbished SCG will hold 48,000 from 2014. I'd like to hear the club's current opinion on this situation so will report back once I have some more info....

[ernie koala]

From what I understand we are stuck with a contract the was signed some years ago between the AFL and the Stadium's management company. I believe that Mike Fitzpatrick sits, or at least sat, on the board of both organisations, which is itself an 'interesting' situation. I think I'll get in touch with the Swans to get some more details on the status of that contract and how it will impact us in coming years.

AFL support in Sydney has plateaued, according to the Swans (Richard Colless from memory) and there are really not many strong arguments as to why we should continue to play out there, in GWS' territory, wen a refurbished SCG will hold 48,000 from 2014. I'd like to hear the club's current opinion on this situation so will report back once I have some more info....

Look forward to your research.

I hope the club feels like most of us do.... and dump the place as soon as possible.

With a capacity of 48,000 at the redeveloped SCG, there will be hardly any games needing more seats.

For those games where some people can't get seats...it will make them keener for future games and may actually help membership where a seat is guaranteed.

I'm salivating at the thought of a full house at the re developed SCG next year, it will be awesome!

[jono2707]

I've sent an email off to the club so will report back when I hear from them. They're normally pretty good and open when responding to such queries...

[undy]

Supporters must - MUST - take individual responsibility for noise levels.
There are NO excuses.OK , maybe laryngitis - but that's about it.

The acoustics suck in substantial areas of the ground, particularly in the lower 30 rows when you are close to one of the bits of infrastructure that sticks out. You just don't hear the thousands of people adjacent to you in the sticky-out part. Make as much noise as you like, but it sounds as though you are in a crowd of a few hundred rather than 40K.

And the beer was flat as our midfield at the nearest bar this weekend, with a bar staffed by people who didn't seem to appreciate what that meant.

[DK_]

The acoustics suck in substantial areas of the ground, particularly in the lower 30 rows when you are close to one of the bits of infrastructure that sticks out. You just don't hear the thousands of people adjacent to you in the sticky-out part. Make as much noise as you like, but it sounds as though you are in a crowd of a few hundred rather than 40K.
.

I've always thought this. I went to a Bledisloe Cup match before they pulled down the end stands. Even with 80k people there for an all-time classic match, the atmosphere just wasn't as good as earlier matches at the 40k capacity SFS.

I think the problem is that it's too flat too. Compare it to the MCG in which the stands ate almost vertical. How they can't design a good stadium in today's design environment, with the massive budget of the 2000 olympics and with example stadiums everywhere is beyond me.

[Bloodthirsty]

The club needs the additional revenue from seat sales that exceed the SCG capacity. I love the SCG, it's around the corner from mine but the club's financial position requires us to maximise revenue wherever possible. And plus I remember how annoying it was when in Round 23 last year hardly anyone could get seats to the Hawks game and this was a month out from the game as well.

That's a good theory but making people hate the situation year in, year out, isn't worth a couple of thousand more seats. Members would rather get all their seats at the SCG. I would like to find out if our contract with ANZ ends once the SCG is finished. If it doesn't, that would be next to pointless.

I've always thought this. I went to a Bledisloe Cup match before they pulled down the end stands. Even with 80k people there for an all-time classic match, the atmosphere just wasn't as good as earlier matches at the 40k capacity SFS.

I think the problem is that it's too flat too. Compare it to the MCG in which the stands ate almost vertical. How they can't design a good stadium in today's design environment, with the massive budget of the 2000 olympics and with example stadiums everywhere is beyond me.

Yeah it's a terrible stadium. They tried to get too clever - too artsy with it at the expense of pragmatic engineering.

[jono2707]

Got a very brief reply from the Swans office noting that the contract is between the Stadium and the AFL and the Swans have no say in the scheduling. The response went on to suggest that I contact the AFL. Reading between the lines, the Swans are about as impressed about the situation as many fans are.

I have pressed them for further details on the actual contract so let's see what they come back with....