The Game Future NRL Stadiums part II

[titoelcolombiano]

No offence but to me it just strikes me of classic Victorian syndrome. They always have to be better then the world. Suncorp is by far the best rugby ground in Australia.

I thought that when I read it too. Ok, fair enough on the mid-sized stadium award. But best NRL & A-League ground when Suncorp is used in both comps?

I does reflect the poor situation in this country with rectangular stadia though when Victoria has one of the best and there isn't a hell of a lot of competition.

 

[Perth Red]

Size apart Id rate Suncorp and AAMI on par with each other. I think AAMI design seems to keep the noise in more and create a better atmosphere but Suncorp has Bundy on optics! Both great views, great fan facilities, plenty of food and beverage outlets, plenty of toilets, walking distance from bars and restaurants, great atmosphere even when only 2/3 full. Nothing to choose between them really. Will be great to add WSS to this list of two decent NRL stadiums!!

 

[Timmah]

I thought that when I read it too. Ok, fair enough on the mid-sized stadium award. But best NRL & A-League ground when Suncorp is used in both comps?

I does reflect the poor situation in this country with rectangular stadia though when Victoria has one of the best and there isn't a hell of a lot of competition.

I think what lets Suncorp down is the surface, particularly with A-League but also on occasion with NRL, the ground itself is often sub-par, regardless of the facilities.

To my knowledge AAMI has never really had issues with surface in any prolonged or meaningful fashion while in Brisbane it's been an issue since it was rebuilt in 2003 on and off.

Outside that there's not a lot to split AAMI and Suncorp apart from capacity/size - they're both fantastic venues.

 

[morley101]

Norwest Rail to be up and running in Apr $500 Million under budget.... just about pays for the new SFS.

 

[beave]

I've been thinking about going to a game there just to see what the stadium is like. Was it hard to get to get to? I hear a lot of people complaining about the lack of public transport to the ground.

As the others have said, just get the train to robina and walk 200m and you’re there mate.

There’s no parking directly at the ground for the public.You can drive and park at the robina town square though and walk about 1km. There’s a few good options there for food but the overall area is a little isolated, it’s right next to the freeway as well.

Buses run from the heart of the GC as well so there’s plenty of options, there’s really no issues for public transport as far as I’m concerned.

The stadium itself whilst being a little Ikea-ish and flat pack, is quite nice. Not a bad seat in the house, plenty of concession stands around with the regular products for sale.

 

[beave]

I think what lets Suncorp down is the surface, particularly with A-League but also on occasion with NRL, the ground itself is often sub-par, regardless of the facilities.

To my knowledge AAMI has never really had issues with surface in any prolonged or meaningful fashion while in Brisbane it's been an issue since it was rebuilt in 2003 on and off.

Outside that there's not a lot to split AAMI and Suncorp apart from capacity/size - they're both fantastic venues.

i think there was some surface issues at AAMI during and after a Wallabies game? I remember seeing the turf disintegrate under the scrums when the players would bind and the obvious force being put to the ground would be immense.

 

[Timmah]

i think there was some surface issues at AAMI during and after a Wallabies game? I remember seeing the turf disintegrate under the scrums when the players would bind and the obvious force being put to the ground would be immense.

Not denying there would have been issues at some point but nothing prolonged or systemic as has clearly been the case at Suncorp (and Etihad for that matter)

 

[beave]

Not denying there would have been issues at some point but nothing prolonged or systemic as has clearly been the case at Suncorp (and Etihad for that matter)

yep, nothing like Sandcorp mate. I don’t know why it’s had the prolonged turf issues it’s had, probably the only downfall of the stadium tbh, pretty much nails it in most departments.

 

[siv]

AAMI park however should have been built to hold 40k as it is in a major city

Its roof doesnt lend itself to a easy expansion though

 

[Perth Red]

AAMI park however should have been built to hold 40k as it is in a major city

Its roof doesnt lend itself to a easy expansion though

Glad it wasn't, for Storm games it is the perfect size.

 

[Timmah]

AAMI park however should have been built to hold 40k as it is in a major city

Its roof doesnt lend itself to a easy expansion though

The foundations are there for it (50k actually), which is the easy part, but yeah, the roof design isn't so easy which would basically mean knocking it off for the most part I imagine.

yep, nothing like Sandcorp mate. I don’t know why it’s had the prolonged turf issues it’s had, probably the only downfall of the stadium tbh, pretty much nails it in most departments.

I think it was an issue for the first 3-4 years then was largely solved - then the 2011 floods happened and f**ked it up all over again. Roar have had plenty of complaints over the years.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

AAMI park however should have been built to hold 40k as it is in a major city

Its roof doesnt lend itself to a easy expansion though

Don't quote me on this but I think there some sort of stipulation when it was built that no rectangular ground can exceed x capacity (35 or 40k I think) as the Vic Govt wanted events that required a larger capacity to go to Docklands.

Now that the AFL own Docklands, un upgrade might be on the cards in the next but I can't see it as it is less than 10 years old. Besides, the lower capacity probably had more to do with keeping RL and football in their box rather than event distribution.

Agree with @Perth Red though, for now and probably the forseeable future it is perfect for the Storm.

 

[Timmah]

Don't quote me on this but I think there some sort of stipulation when it was built that no rectangular ground can exceed x capacity (35 or 40k I think) as the Vic Govt wanted events that required a larger capacity to go to Docklands.

Now that the AFL own Docklands, un upgrade might be on the cards in the next but I can't see it as it is less than 10 years old. Besides, the lower capacity probably had more to do with keeping RL and football in their box rather than event distribution.

Agree with @Perth Red though, for now and probably the forseeable future it is perfect for the Storm.

Thing is, it's the largest rectangular ground in Melbourne. Docklands even with the stands rolled in doesn't compare and as a result a genuine soccer or RL grand final either has to accept a lesser capacity at AAMI or a larger venue further from the action at Docklands.

Ideally Melbourne does need a 45-50k rectangular venue and expanding AAMI makes sense.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Thing is, it's the largest rectangular ground in Melbourne. Docklands even with the stands rolled in doesn't compare and as a result a genuine soccer or RL grand final either has to accept a lesser capacity at AAMI or a larger venue further from the action at Docklands.

Ideally Melbourne does need a 45-50k rectangular venue and expanding AAMI makes sense.

I agree and would love for it to happen. If Melboune can push their average home crowds to 20k it won't loose much atmosphere either. Suncorp is still pretty good when the broncs have 25 - 30k in. It also gives us the opportunity to host things like double headers and magic weekend in Melbourne in a purpose built venue and will allow for the Storm / NRL to capitalise on greater interest in finals matches.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Robina train station is very close mate and had a direct link back into brisbane (about a 60 min train trip). Very good transport situation.

Yeh, i was under the impression the Robina station was at the stadiums front step.

Obviously is a bad location for the stadium (in a f*cking cow paddock at the South-most end of the GC) but i dont think you can complain about the train

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Don't quote me on this but I think there some sort of stipulation when it was built that no rectangular ground can exceed x capacity (35 or 40k I think) as the Vic Govt wanted events that required a larger capacity to go to Docklands.

Now that the AFL own Docklands, un upgrade might be on the cards in the next but I can't see it as it is less than 10 years old. Besides, the lower capacity probably had more to do with keeping RL and football in their box rather than event distribution.

Agree with @Perth Red though, for now and probably the forseeable future it is perfect for the Storm.

IIRC the original plan was for MRS (AAMI) to be built to 30k-ish with the option to expand later

However, when the final design was actually selected, they picked one that could NOT expand. If we want a bigger capacity, we would need to fully tear down and rebuild the roof.

 

[sempmrh]

AAMI Park was originally supposed to be smaller (I believe approximately 25,000) but Melbourne Victory kicked up a fuss and capacity was increased to 30,000, despite Victory not even planning on playing all of their home games there. They still don't play all their home games at AAMI Park.

Another issue that would make it difficult to upgrade and expand AAMI Park is how locked in it is with Olympic Boulevard out the front and Batman Avenue and Citylink directly behind it. Not a lot of room to spare there - but even that's a minor problem compared to what they'd have to do with the roof. You would have to completely disassemble the entire roof.

I remember during the construction of AAMI Park there were giant supports all around holding the roof while they pieced it together. It wasn't until the entire roof was completed that they were able to remove the supports. AAMI Park is quite an engineering feat and it would take an even bigger one to upgrade it.

 

[Timmah]

AAMI Park was originally supposed to be smaller (I believe approximately 25,000) but Melbourne Victory kicked up a fuss and capacity was increased to 30,000, despite Victory not even planning on playing all of their home games there. They still don't play all their home games at AAMI Park.

Another issue that would make it difficult to upgrade and expand AAMI Park is how locked in it is with Olympic Boulevard out the front and Batman Avenue and Citylink directly behind it. Not a lot of room to spare there - but even that's a minor problem compared to what they'd have to do with the roof. You would have to completely disassemble the entire roof.

I remember during the construction of AAMI Park there were giant supports all around holding the roof while they pieced it together. It wasn't until the entire roof was completed that they were able to remove the supports. AAMI Park is quite an engineering feat and it would take an even bigger one to upgrade it.

As per my reply earlier, the foundations were built in order to support expansion - plenty of room east and west and still a bit of room to the north before it hits Olympic Boulevard, so it wouldn't be too difficult - I imagine they'd be going up more than out.

As mentioned though it's the roof that's the issue.

 

[sempmrh]

As per my reply earlier, the foundations were built in order to support expansion - plenty of room east and west and still a bit of room to the north before it hits Olympic Boulevard, so it wouldn't be too difficult - I imagine they'd be going up more than out.

As mentioned though it's the roof that's the issue.

Yes, it was mentioned, including by me in the very post you are quoting.

 

[Timmah]

Yes, it was mentioned, including by me in the very post you are quoting.

Never said you didn't, I think you're misinterpreting that line - I was agreeing with you.