Major SCG announcement today

[jono2707]

I love the SCG and I think it's one of the world's great unique stadiums, but the events on the field yesterday have cast a grey cloud over the place for me for a while at least. Things like that put it all into perspective and outline exactly what sportspeople are putting on the line when they go out there...

[barry]

There will be a few less threads on here next year with no complaining about ANZ.

Youve got to be joking. Complaining about ANZ will reach new levels.

[Industrial Fan]

Youve got to be joking. Complaining about ANZ will reach new levels.

Doubt it, there is an end in sight. Seems a bit cruel to stick the boot into your preference for the ground now. Still don't understand it, but each to their own.

[barry]

In 30 years time....

SCG will be much like it is today. Swans and cricket alone will not drive any investment beyond replacing the odd stand. Will have better transport with light rail, and maybe even heavy rail (unlikely).

Alianz will be converted into a boutique ground similar to the soccer ground in Melbourne, whose name escapes me at the moment. Small, upmarket, great experience.

ANZ will have a roof, and probably be rectangular (at least during the winter). Will host all major rectangular events in rugby, soccer and league. Will host all large scale concerts. Capacity about 85,000.
Precinct will become a entertainment hub, with large office space in and around the area. Improved rail connection with a flow-through line, rather than an extension.

Skoda. Really depends on where the Giants end up, but I doubt Skoda will last. Giants will move further west in a newly developed boutique oval/rectangular reconfigurable stadium further towards parramatta, which they share with a league club and maybe a soccer club. Stadium able to change configuratiom in less than half an hour, and stands overhang grassed area, so no need to tracks or any impact on the surface.


In summary, AFL will be the poor cousin of sports in Sydney regarding venues.

[royboy42]

In 30 years time....

SCG will be much like it is today. Swans and cricket alone will not drive any investment beyond replacing the odd stand. Will have better transport with light rail, and maybe even heavy rail (unlikely).

Alianz will be converted into a boutique ground similar to the soccer ground in Melbourne, whose name escapes me at the moment. Small, upmarket, great experience.

ANZ will have a roof, and probably be rectangular (at least during the winter). Will host all major rectangular events in rugby, soccer and league. Will host all large scale concerts. Capacity about 85,000.
Precinct will become a entertainment hub, with large office space in and around the area. Improved rail connection with a flow-through line, rather than an extension.

Skoda. Really depends on where the Giants end up, but I doubt Skoda will last. Giants will move further west in a newly developed boutique oval/rectangular reconfigurable stadium further towards parramatta, which they share with a league club and maybe a soccer club. Stadium able to change configuratiom in less than half an hour, and stands overhang grassed area, so no need to tracks or any impact on the surface.


In summary, AFL will be the poor cousin of sports in Sydney regarding venues.

There's a half empty glass.

[swansrob]

Not being from Sydney, does that mean the Swans don't represent me? Arden St is a ten minute walk from my house - am I supposed to be North fan?

[JPK12]

Rolls eyes.

[barry]

Not being from Sydney, does that mean the Swans don't represent me? Arden St is a ten minute walk from my house - am I supposed to be North fan?

According the JPK, you are not a true fan, and are expendable in the pursuit of closer ties with the east and inner-city Sydney dweller.

True swans fans, by measurement of money, celebrate retreat from competition with other sports in Sydney's west.

This is the swans way. It wasnt always they way, once we represented all Sydney, all NSW, even canberra. Not now.

[jono2707]

According the JPK, you are not a true fan, and are expendable in the pursuit of closer ties with the east and inner-city Sydney dweller.

True swans fans, by measurement of money, celebrate retreat from competition with other sports in Sydney's west.

This is the swans way. It wasnt always they way, once we represented all Sydney, all NSW, even canberra. Not now.

Thank the AFL for giving us GWS....

How about we merge these two threads - if we're all going to argue with Barry on this one, at least make it easy for us by putting this all one one thread

[Northern_Swan]

For me the Swans have always represented the wider aussie rules supporting community in NSW, including fans in the Hunter and the ACT. I would find it bizzare if over the past 30 years Sydneysiders felt the Swans as the only Sydney team were not accessible because they were based at the SCG.

Here, here.

I, like many From Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Coast identify the Swans as being my team and representing my area. Judging by the amount of Red and White traffic on the M1/F3 on game day, the Swans popularity in these regions is unquestioned.

[JPK12]

According the JPK, you are not a true fan, and are expendable in the pursuit of closer ties with the east and inner-city Sydney dweller.

True swans fans, by measurement of money, celebrate retreat from competition with other sports in Sydney's west.

This is the swans way. It wasnt always they way, once we represented all Sydney, all NSW, even canberra. Not now.

Yes Barry thats right barry, you suppository of wisdom.

[JPK12]

I really am trying to figure out the issue here.

[JPK12]

Barry and Matt80 are the same people....

[Jewels]

Here, here.

I, like many From Newcastle, the Hunter and the Central Coast identify the Swans as being my team and representing my area. Judging by the amount of Red and White traffic on the M1/F3 on game day, the Swans popularity in these regions is unquestioned.

Yep I'm a coasty and prior to moving here four years ago I lived and raised my family in Castle Hill and I now and have always viewed the Swans as being my "local" team.

I'm quite certain that this decision would primarily have been made for financial reasons and with the attendance figures growing year by year at the SCG as opposed to the decline in figures for ANZ, it was a bit of a no brainer.
With the creation of GWS, the powers that be in Melbourne must now believe they have Sydney covered so the pressure on the Swans by AFL HQ to maintain a presence in the west of Sydney is not so important, I really don't know how anybody could view this as being the Swans abandoning the west.

[barry]

Thank the AFL for giving us GWS....

You cant blame GWS or the AFL. Im sure the AFL would like the Swans to stay at ANZ to ensure it remains in oval configuration.

Swans moved because
1) They are a political pawn in a big stadium funding game being played out in Sydney.
2) They pandered to the inner-city crowd who don't like travelling past anzac bridge a handful of times.

If I ever hear the Swans complaining about their stadium deal in the next 30 years, I will be very, very, disapointed.


Lets hope the AFL guarantee ANZ finals matches for any AFL Sydney team for the next 30 years.