Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

[hot_dogma]

Saying that AAMI Park is hard to get to is undoubtedly one of the most bizarre things I have ever heard. It's like saying that Etihad is hard to get to as people from some suburban rail lines (namely the Burnley group of lines) often have to change trains at Flinders St to get to Southern Cross on a weekend.

The distance from Richmond Station to AAMI Park is the same as the walk from Southern Cross to Etihad. The only difference is there is no bridge.

[timmers]

I agree, the once famous Melbourne sports fan who will brave freezing cold conditions and sleet coming in sideways to support their team has now decided not to go to a sporting event because they have to walk beside a road?

[RobertHeatleyStand]

[dibo]

so where did the convertible terracing go?

[nobleoz]

A record attendance established for MRS on Saty night....over 40,000 Magpie supporters! Similar to Billy Graham holding the record attendance for the MCG

[Adelaide_United_Red]

A record attendance established for MRS on Saty night....over 40,000 Magpie supporters! Similar to Billy Graham holding the record attendance for the MCG

Yep and now I bet the pitch is in a terrible condition for the 1st Melbourne derby this friday night. Needles and missing teeth all over the place, that stage couldn't have done the grass any good either....I'll bet the Tard fans(both flavours) aren't happy!

[RobertHeatleyStand]

A record attendance established for MRS on Saty night....over 40,000 Magpie supporters! Similar to Billy Graham holding the record attendance for the MCG

Yep and now I bet the pitch is in a terrible condition for the 1st Melbourne derby this friday night. Needles and missing teeth all over the place, that stage couldn't have done the grass any good either....I'll bet the Tard fans(both flavours) aren't happy!

The surface was 'protected' with a layer of something, not sure what.

[timmers]

A record attendance established for MRS on Saty night....over 40,000 Magpie supporters! Similar to Billy Graham holding the record attendance for the MCG

Yep and now I bet the pitch is in a terrible condition for the 1st Melbourne derby this friday night. Needles and missing teeth all over the place, that stage couldn't have done the grass any good either....I'll bet the Tard fans(both flavours) aren't happy!

The surface was 'protected' with a layer of something, not sure what.

From what I saw, it was the grey rubber mats that they use at most live sites (like FIFA live site in Sydney). Shouldn't be too bad for the derby, though it wouldn't have helped.

From memory, the problem with the concerts at Etihad were that those mats were placed down for a whole week, killing the grass. Not sure how the glass and needles etc ended up on the ground, what a disgrace that was!

[gyfox]

A record attendance established for MRS on Saty night....over 40,000 Magpie supporters! Similar to Billy Graham holding the record attendance for the MCG

Not to worry... Cardinals Pele, Gasnier and Ella have been arranged to re-consecrate the hallowed turf this week before it being returned to use for the world games.

[Adelaide_United_Red]

Interesting goings on down in Melbourne, reading the tard boards, I feel they are reveling in the LOLs at Heart rather than asking the important questions:
Heart to take fans back to NSL days
Michael Lynch
March 1, 2011

MELBOURNE Heart made a pitch to fans of ''old soccer'' a key part of its first season marketing, and it may take that appeal even further after being turfed out of its home ground for three weeks in the middle of next season.
Heart is considering playing matches in December at two of the grounds best known for their prominence in the days of the National Soccer League - Bob Jane Stadium at Albert Park and Latrobe Sportsground in Morwell....

http://www.theage.com.au/sport/a-league ... 1bbpy.html

My Questions:
1. I thought this stadium was built for the rectangular codes(football/rugby/League) Who made the decision to kick out a primary tenant in the middle of their season and why?
Michael Lynch rambles a bit about the Melbourne & Olympic Park Trust being involved, but there is no reason given as to why this body has taken the action they have - is it to host other events like concerts? Surely a sports stadium should have as its primary reason for being, to provide facilities for the teams that call the stadium home? If it is the Etihad excuse(concerts and raves) , then I guess questions have to be asked about income to the venue operators from their mix of tenants?

[Jeffles]

If you read the article, they do give reasons? It is to host concerts and do maintenance. These events take time to set up and it takes to after these events to put the venue back in good nick. A lot of grounds that are in use all year round have enforced shut off periods for maintenance. This is not uncommon in the North of England where Rugby League shares some grounds with soccer. Often this happens in summer because that is the best time to relay turf, if required.

At least there has been plenty of notice and Heart is thinking outside the box. The FFA can help by not scheduling a lot of home games over these four weekends.

[bazza]

If you read the article, they do give reasons?

surely better to blame it on part of the anti-soccer conspiracy

[Adelaide_United_Red]

If you read the article, they do give reasons?

surely better to blame it on part of the anti-football conspiracy

FYP - did you not get the memo?

you idiot(to quote J.Newman)...I missed it, posted it here for a second opinion, got the info I needed. job done.
GFY!
Did you also not get the memo about the internet and its forums being for the exchange of ideas and thoughts/opinions.....and porn;)?

[Egan]

OMG, if Glory play at Morwell Ill be stoked.

[beastjim]

Part of me wonders why this stadium must seemingly host concerts as well, it would have been nice to leave this as a purely sporting stadium. But when there is a buck to be made, compromises will be made. If the groundsmen are well prepared it will be amazing on return. I imagine there will only be one home game moved at best, possibly play an away derby at Etihad as well to hold people over.