Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
Doesn't really read like the pool is going anywhere?
I don't blame them for trying to squeeze some money for it - but they won't be likely to be relocated anyhwere unless someone foots a big chunk of the bill.
I think someone once suggested having the pools as part of a new stadium build, but Suity laughed at them.... Though if one of his Wanderers mates included it that idea in a stadium design/plan, he would probably lap it up :lol:!
Western Sydney Wanderers lock in Sydney Olympic Park for home matches next season
Date March 29, 2016 - 8:01PM
The Western Sydney Wanderers have formally sealed their temporary move to Sydney Olympic Park, splitting their home games between ANZ Stadium and Spotless Stadium next season.
Without a home for the entirety of the 2016-17 campaign as Pirtek Stadium's overhaul is completed, the Wanderers canvassed several options across the region but decided against using the smaller facilities on offer elsewhere. They will formally reveal the news at an announcement on Wednesday.
The club's traditional blockbuster matches - against Sydney FC and Melbourne Victory, who they both play twice at home next season - will be lodged at 83,500-seat ANZ Stadium, with games against smaller teams set to be staged next door at the 24,000-seat Spotless Stadium.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 06: Brendon Santalab of the Wanderers celebrates after scoring their first goal during the round 18 A-League match between the Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers at Etihad Stadium on February 6, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
However, the requirements of the Big Bash League and other events may see matches flipped between the venues if required.
The FFA has already condoned the plan to play the opening Sydney derby of next season in round one next season, which they are confident will attract a capacity crowd to ANZ Stadium - which would easily smash the A-League's present attendance record.
Fairfax Media understands the Wanderers' officials are even considering the possibility of installing temporary seating behind one of the goals at the respective venues in an effort to preserve the proximity of the Red and Black Bloc to the field of play.
They are already in advanced planning stages of integrating a "safe standing" zone behind the goals at the redeveloped Pirtek Stadium and are hoping to maintain the present level of active support next season.
The Wanderers will farewell Pirtek Stadium - at least in its current guise - on Friday night against the Central Coast Mariners, a match they will be expected to win as they seek to keep their Premier's Plate hopes alive.
Defeat against Melbourne Victory last week has cost the Wanderers severely, sinking to fourth after leading the competition for most of the season. However, they are still only two points off Melbourne City in top spot.
"This is it for us, this is the final straw for the Premiers' Plate," said striker Brendon Santalab. "It's a must-win this week and we're well aware of that, so we'll have to go out with all guns blazing, go all out in attack and be disciplined in defence as well.
"I wanted to win the Premier's Plate [at the start of the season] and it's still there to win, so I'm very happy we're in a position to take that and obviously the grand final as well. I just want to win things with this team. There's three or four of us up there battling for it, so it's anyone's really at this stage."
Goals have dried up for the Wanderers in recent weeks, who have won just one of their past four matches. Santalab admits it's a problem that needs rectifying before the finals
"We have our own style and at the moment the goals aren't coming, but that's football. We'll look in every way to try and turn that around and with the last two games approaching, we have no option but to score goals and get the points," he said. "I think after a certain amount of time it does [weigh on your mind]. It piles up and you worry that it's not going to come.
"But the ball will eventually hit the back of the net, and against the Central Coast we'll have to do that, there's no question."
However, Santalab said it was hardly a case of season over if they failed to finish top two - where every A-League champion has come from in the past ten years.
"I think that's more of a mental game about where you finish. I feel as though as you can still go on and win the grand final if you don't finish in the top two," he said. "Ultimately, while we'd like to finish in the top two, but if it doesn't happen we'll get past that and move forward to the grand final however we have to."
