Cricket is on the way out at Eden Park. Oval is too small and the capacity too big (expensive) for cricket. The plan a few years back was to reconfigure Western Springs Stadium for cricket and the odd AFL match.I wonder if a second Auckland Team would encourage the NZ Government to build the previously discussed harbourside stadium. 30k is probably the right size stadium with Eden Park keeping union tests and Cricket.
I wonder if a second Auckland Team would encourage the NZ Government to build the previously discussed harbourside stadium. 30k is probably the right size stadium with Eden Park keeping union tests and Cricket.
I must say the light rail was fantastic getting a large crowd back and forth from Central to SCG On Anzac Day.
I was at Central around 20 mins after the final whistle. A tram was running every 3 mins.
I would have thought a second NZ team would be better placed in a different city, and the warriors could revert back to being Auckland. Hopefully jump on the back of rivalries that are already in place.
Yes it should be and I know just the place.
https://www.odt.co.nz/star-news/sta...dium-tender-awarded-australian-led-consortium
Christchurch Bears. Red and Black. Synergy with the Crusaders and no doubt will have a fan base in Sydney that would support them.
That could work. Or relocate the Bulldogs and they can still be called the Canterbury Bulldogs. One game at Belmore each year or 2. Then there’s room for PerthChristchurch Bears. Red and Black. Synergy with the Crusaders and no doubt will have a fan base in Sydney that would support them.
One of the big advantages the AFL and Melbourne had is the quality transport network that made the move to shared stadiums work. Even teams on the outer edge of the city like Essendon can make it from their old ground at Windy Hill to Marvel stadium in 30 minutes. Brookvale Oval to the SFS is ~1 hour and 20 minutes.
Taking a few of the big games to the SFS could work, but they’d have to be staged on days to allow maximum travel time. Thursday and Friday games wouldn’t work.
Essendon is really a great example to use when looking at the differences between Melbourne and Sydney and why the Melbourne clubs have such a distinct advantage over the Sydney clubs.
People have to remember that the VFL never expanded the the way the NSWRL did.
Essendon is the furthest club from the city, all the expansion clubs were closer.
Essendon clocks in at 12kms from the CBD in comparison to Cronulla/Parramatta at 35+, let alone Penrith or the Tigers if they bite the bullet and go to Macarthur full time. One could maybe argue Manly apart from that big patch of water in between making transport a challenge lol
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you’ve kind of missed the point. By becoming a central based club Essendon has been able to expand its traditional fan reach to a much greater area than its traditional suburban existence. Only 20k people live in Essendon, they have 80,000 members!
I haven’t missed the point at all.
What I’m saying is the two cities and in particular where the clubs are based is a completely different scenario between Melbourne & Sydney.
Relocate Penrith to Moore Park and see if their crowds/membership jumps to 80k or .... Decreases. Hell it’s 30kms from their district to Bankwest.
Even if you want to make the argument of taking the local district factor out and trying to make the clubs attractive no matter where you live ... There is simply not a single stadium in Sydney that offers the logistical benefits of being a 5 minute walk from 75% and 100% of the heavy rail lines that the G/Marvel offer.
The two cities are completely different.
Having said all this. Covid has obv made my ability of late to get to Sydney difficult. I AM looking forward to seeing what difference is of jumping on the light rail when heading to Moore Park rather than up the hill from Central or a long arse walk through Paddington
I haven’t missed the point at all.
What I’m saying is the two cities and in particular where the clubs are based is a completely different scenario between Melbourne & Sydney.
Relocate Penrith to Moore Park and see if their crowds/membership jumps to 80k or .... Decreases. Hell it’s 30kms from their district to Bankwest.
Even if you want to make the argument of taking the local district factor out and trying to make the clubs attractive no matter where you live ... There is simply not a single stadium in Sydney that offers the logistical benefits of being a 5 minute walk from 75% and 100% of the heavy rail lines that the G/Marvel offer.
The two cities are completely different.
Having said all this. Covid has obv made my ability of late to get to Sydney difficult. I AM looking forward to seeing what difference is of jumping on the light rail when heading to Moore Park rather than up the hill from Central or a long arse walk through Paddington
Agree the sooner the better.There is no way Penrith will Parramatta at BankWest as a “home” game!
Nor should they ever have to.
Penrith deserve to have Panthers Stadium upgraded before any other ground!