Etihad Stadium

[Apples]

The time has come to up the ante on discussion about us leaving Idiot Stadium.

As I understand it we now only have a year to year arrangement to play at the ground but the problem is finding somewhere else to play. I read recently that we have asked the AFL to schedule our home games next year at the MCG but this seems impossible due to the number of existing tenants already locked in there. The best outcome would seem to be a shandy, 6-7 home games at the G and the balance against the interstate teams at either Visy Park or Etihad.

Why leave Etihad?

Firstly it would seem to be a monumental financial disaster. I heard Cats president Colin Carter on radio this morning saying this years Grand Final would be a financial windfall for the club and they would still be counting their money at Xmas. We play in the previous 3 grand finals, have in excess of 40,000 members and we post a loss in excess of $1.5 million, something is rotten in Docklands.

But there are other considerations. Apart from Essendon in the stadiums inaugural 2000 year, none of the previous 11 premership teams call the ground home.
I think there are a couple of resons for this, the grounds dimensions do not allow home teams to develop and fine tune a game plan that brings success on the biggest stage in September.

But the worst aspect I think as far as winning a premiership is concerned is the detrimental effect it has on our playing group from playing on concrete every second week. Not only do players pull up sore after games there, but recovery takes longer. I also think the effects are cumulative. Look at Roo, he has been playing sore for nearly 2 years now.
Not only did Roo tear his hamstring off the bone at the ground, so did Josh Gibson, Matthew Lloyd and a week or two after playing there Daniel Kerr. Then you look at Luke Ball, struggled for 3 years with his body from playing there so much so the fitness guru Dave Misson couldn't get him right. Since playing at the MCG Ball has had no material issues and is moving as good as any time in his career.

Look at the other Etihad tenants this year, Dons, Roos & Dogs, all had poor years with injury. Adam Cooney is a classic example, chronic knee soreness almost all year

In summary, I think from a fnancial, injury management perspective we need to get out of there sooner rather than later.

Comments

[ralphsmith]

Interesting points.

The concrete surface is surely not good for players.

[ausfatcat]

As I understand it we now only have a year to year arrangement to play at the ground but the problem is finding somewhere else to play

Sorry but I didn't bother reading past this. We gave control of the fixturing and home ground status to the AFL.

The AFL has a contract with Etihad to play a certain number of games there each year, if the AFL ALLOWED the saints to move who would play those games there?.

So before considering moving you have to answer those questions.

[Wrote for Luck]

Geelong have their own ground. If we are really intent on owning the peninsula and making Seaford a success, having our own ground would be incredible imo.

It would boost membership, create revenue from home matches, and prevent injuries from playing on concrete.

Just how unlikely is this? We would only need capacity of 30 to 40 thousand (obviously play the bigger games in Melbourne). But where would the money come from.

I'd also like to know the financial detail with Etihad - how does it work?

[plugger66]

Geelong have their own ground. If we are really intent on owning the peninsula and making Seaford a success, having our own ground would be incredible imo.

It would boost membership, create revenue from home matches, and prevent injuries from playing on concrete.

Just how unlikely is this? We would only need capacity of 30 to 40 thousand (obviously play the bigger games in Melbourne). But where would the money come from.

I'd also like to know the financial detail with Etihad - how does it work?

Well no one would build a ground anywhere near were we would want it built. It would cost over 100 million dollars so that will never happen. We just got 8 million from the AFL because of thinks like poor stadium deals. We just need to try to somehow get some home games at the G as well as Etihad but it will not happen if we are going through a rebuilding stage.

[Junction Oval]

A published paper was posted on this site not long ago about Etihad.

We need to get around 40,000 to Etihad to break even. After protesting, the AFL has provided the Saints, Dogs, North and I think, Carlton with an additional $100,000 per game, to ensure that we don't lose money - we don't make much either !

Television commitments rule the Fixture now.

[Con Gorozidis]

Op raises some interesting points.

Etihad has certainly appeared to be a real burden for a few reasons.

Chances of getting our own ground in the next 20 years are slim to none.

In 30 years it may be possible to have our own ground at frankston. That would be pretty cool in some ways. Could be a real fortress on the peninsula like manly is in the nrl.

[saintspremiers]

Don't worry, when the AFL purchase Jihad for $1 in 2025 they will give za special thanks to our club and a few others for paying it off for the previous owners.

Considering how huge an asset the AFL will get for nothing what they are offering us as compo at the moment is chicken shiit and an insult.

[plugger66]

Don't worry, when the AFL purchase Jihad for $1 in 2025 they will give za special thanks to our club and a few others for paying it off for the previous owners.

Considering how huge an asset the AFL will get for nothing what they are offering us as compo at the moment is chicken shiit and an insult.

You are right. Better we get nothing or is it better we get something but complain. By the way I think the AFL have to pay about 25 million for the stadium which is still a great deal.

[Enrico_Misso]

In 30 years it may be possible to have our own ground at frankston. That would be pretty cool in some ways. Could be a real fortress on the peninsula like manly is in the nrl.

Why not build one at Moorabbin in our supporter heartland?

[Spinner]

MCG all the way.

[Dr Spaceman]

Can't believe some people are talking about us building a new stadium and its not April 1

[thejiggingsaint]

I can Doc! I can! (it is mad monday is it not?....OH! it's not!!! Oh well there you go)