Major SCG announcement today

[CJK]

barry - post to let us know you are ok.

[dimelb]

Great news, and I hope the way it's told in the club news release means that we can continue to negotiate with the SCG Trust about ongoing improvements to the ground. I'm thinking partly of the prospect of increased numbers and sellout crowds, but even more of the need to cater for fans of the winter sport as well as the cricket watchers. Surely it wouldn't be too hard or too expensive to get more protection from wind and rain for the fans in the new stands, and do it in a way that means the surface can continue to get the weather it needs.

In the meantime, GO BLOODS!

[annew]

Yeah so glad but still have to get through 2 years. I will be sooooo old at the end of the 30 years it is a bit depressing.

[stellation]

Can we get the length of the ground extended by 30 cm a year for 30 years?

[jono2707]

Things are starting to happen with the Light Rail too - it'll be done in about 5 years time so hopefully will greatly improve the SCG's public transport links.

[Meg]

And yesterday when I went to the SCG for the cricket I was surprised to see they have started construction on the controversial footbridge over Anzac Parade. I thought that was still under debate. It's in a useless position but hopefully some footy fans will use it!

[erica]

And yesterday when I went to the SCG for the cricket I was surprised to see they have started construction on the controversial footbridge over Anzac Parade. I thought that was still under debate. It's in a useless position but hopefully some footy fans will use it!

I read that the footbridge is supposed to be ready before the cricket world cup next year.

[Doctor]

While I think that this is generally good news, there are a few negatives IMO:-

1. The perception that you can't get to a game at the SCG unless you are a member is still out there. We will have to ensure that this is not a message that continues to exist.
2. While recent crowds at Stadium Australia have been poor, I would have thought that our ambition, and the AFL's, would have been to get them back up to that number again. That won't happen at the SCG obviously
3. No more Villi's pies
4. I do think that playing there helped us become more adaptable to the home grounds of other teams. This is something the club will have to address in its preparation for away games.
5. A 30 year deal. I assume it was far cheaper that way but hopefully there was some leverage in the deal about improved player facilities and a concession to stop treating us as the poor cousin of cricket.

I used to particularly enjoy going to the Olympic Park games, but the stadium has been lamentably maintained, the food and drink options are poor, especially the crappy beer and the bus system has deteriorated. I think a lot of the naysayers on this site have been over the top with their comments on this issue but I do agree that the SCG is a better home ground and I am happy with the decision.

[Meg]

Doctor, I'm just curious, in what way do you think the SCG treat us as the "poor cousin of cricket"?

[Meg]

Also this announcement gives even more strength to the argument that the Brewongle Stand should be renamed the "Adam Goodes Stand" once Adam retires.

[DamY]

Meg, SCG Trust won't allow a drop in pitch which from my understanding affects the turf particularly for AFL. I believe it's the last and only cricket ground that does this in Australia.

[Meg]

Ok I thought that might be the issue. As someone who loves my cricket as much as I love my footy (I even go to Sheffield Shield matches!) I would be horrified if the SCG moved to a drop-in pitch. But I see in an Andrew Wu article in the SMH that this possibility has been left open. There are very few footy matches at the SCG where the centre square is a problem. Personally I think this is not necessary for AFL and would be to the detriment of cricket.

[liz]

Meg, SCG Trust won't allow a drop in pitch which from my understanding affects the turf particularly for AFL. I believe it's the last and only cricket ground that does this in Australia.

Is this also not still the case at the Gabba too?

[Meg]

Is this also not still the case at the Gabba too?

Yes it is although there is a regular debate about this issue with (predictably) cricket and AFL administrators taking opposite positions.

[liz]

Doctor, I'm just curious, in what way do you think the SCG treat us as the "poor cousin of cricket"?

The other way in which AFL could be considered to be treated as the lessor tenant of the SCG is that each time a major redevelopment has taken place in recent years it has been timed to disrupt (capacity wise) two AFL seasons and just one cricket season.

Not arguing whether that is reasonable or not, just sayin...