Our new seats

[mcs]

I asked that question when I recently did a SCG public tour. The answer I was given: grass needs three things to grow healthily - sun, water and wind. Wind becomes an issue for a stadium totally surrounded by grandstands. Hence the gap at the back of the new SCG stands.

At the Allianz Stadium (with a lower roof) there is a sail cloth type structure outside the stadium which catches the wind and funnels it over the roof into the stadium.

They should have built it like they built the City of Manchester Stadium (now called the Etihad Stadium) in Manchester. Its fully enclosed for match days, but at the corners of the 4 stands, they have panels that are remotely operated that open up to allow the wind to come through.

[Meg]

They should have built it like they built the City of Manchester Stadium (now called the Etihad Stadium) in Manchester. Its fully enclosed for match days, but at the corners of the 4 stands, they have panels that are remotely operated that open up to allow the wind to come through.

Yes when I thought about it subsequently I wondered why they didn't have some form of enclosure for match days that could be opened the rest of the ( majority) of the time.

[swanwolf]

Seats are pretty good, could still feel the rain at times but that was due to the wind blowing the drops sideways! When the rain cleared in the final quarter, we ventured down to the fence. It looked like the ground level of the playing surface was much higher than the ground level of the stands which I found interesting.

That's priceless! Did they remember to fill in the dugouts once the baseball left? Maybe the grandstand is sinking. It's built on a giant raft, you know. Cox Architecture seem to have an aversion to designing stadiums that provide shelter from the rain. You'd think they'd've learned something from the SFS fiasco but nooooo! To be fair, the weather shields on level 4 were meant to be much taller so perhaps they'll extend them if the roof ever gets finished... but I doubt it. Won't stop a Southerly Buster drenching folks anyway.

Final handover of the new stands is scheduled for July. Don't have a clue as to what possessed the Trust in claiming it'd be ready for the Ashes.

[Primmy]

Agree with all you said. Especially the top level as you have to travel down to the second level to use the toilets, they haven't built any up there, no coffee, nothing, open to the elements, horrible place.

To top it off, the ladies toilets ran out of toilet paper. I kid you not. Had to go ask a security man to get them to replenish.....that is just plain incompetent.

We have decided to stick with the beer swillers deck. It is unfortunately the hang out of the SCG members, you know, they talk non stop about nothing, have no interest in the game, stand up and take beer orders as BJ is flying down towards the goals, but there is a little more knee room, the stairs are not as 'challenging' as in the old stand, and at least you are two floors closer down to the food outlets (beware the chips, they douse them in msg and orange flavouring, you have no choice). It is as windy as hell, and bloody cold (ground floor went up a few degrees when we left in the evening). But the ladies toilets are reasonable and the doors close etc. I much rather be in the Trumper Stand, but since I can't trust membership to know where the seats are I am not inclined to move. Yet.

[Xie Shan]

Re the complaints, every spot has its pros and cons and everyone will have a different opinion on the best place to watch the game. At modern stadia like the SCG, there are very few 'bad' seats!

I think the Noble/Bradman will be better once the facilities are finished, parts of it were still very spartan at the North game.

I am leaning slightly towards the red zone as it is more flexible depending on how many people you have with you and whether you have non-member friends wanting to go.

[ugg]

I sat in the second level of the Noble for the reserves game, the breeze up there is very noticeable.

[desredandwhite]

Some further observations from the Freo game... Looks like if you are in the top of the Bradman as Gold/Premium Gold, your only entry options are to come in the regular public entrance at Gate E and walk all the way around the ground, or you have to walk all the way around the SFS to a badly marked Gate G. There is no way to enter via gate J as that seems to only be for SCG / members reserve, even though you are going to essentially the same stand.

Given that we were basically sold on the brand new facilities of the new stand, it is very disappointing that they would have said new facilities half-finished, and so difficult to use/access.

I'm now seriously considering swapping over to Red Zone. The only potential downside is having to get there earlier to reserve a few seats, but I would take that anyday over the shambles that is the top deck of the Bradman.

[monopoly19]

From the other side of the ground it looked quite dark at the top of the new stand once the sun had gone down.

[giant]

Bought my daughter and her friend tix on the day in the same bay as us (402) - her seats were 20 rows closer to front! Eh??

[Rod_]

Don't want to anoy the paying public and you're just members. ...????

[aguy]

At least it's not like Melbourne where the Geelong hawthorn game was an A reserve game where even club members had to buy tickets to get a reserved ticket.

[baskin]

At least it's not like Melbourne where the Geelong hawthorn game was an A reserve game where even club members had to buy tickets to get a reserved ticket.

That is how the Essendon v Swans game is classified. As a Melbourne Swans member this is supposed to be one of my home games but I have to pay for a seat if I want to go to the game. Even if I want to sit in the 'nose bleed' section! Not Happy Vlad.....

[aguy]

That is how the Essendon v Swans game is classified. As a Melbourne Swans member this is supposed to be one of my home games but I have to pay for a seat if I want to go to the game. Even if I want to sit in the 'nose bleed' section! Not Happy Vlad.....

That sux. As a Sydneysider I didn't realise the ess Sydney game was like that.

[Meg]

I've just tried to get a ticket for this Saturday's match against the Dees at the MCG using the Swans members offer of one free ticket in the AFL Reserve (which was a new benefit this year). The steps to follow online and the instructions sent out by email by the Swans don't bear much relation to each other. I've ended up with an email from Ticketmaster confirming my 'order', complete with order number but no ticket. Very baffling. Looks like a phone call to Member Services tomorrow .............

[dimelb]

And it gets worse. Here's Caro's take:
AFL must re-think ticketing: Andrew Demetriou
Apparently the AFL wants to follow the US lead and the more people want to go to a game, the more it will cost. Brilliant.

On topic: To me the new stands at SCG look unfinished and as though they offer little protection from the weather. Perhaps designed for cricket rather than AFL?