Optus Oval

[Destructive]

Today was my first visit to Optus Oval.

What a dump! It took me almost all of halftime to find the toilets and get back to my seat again. The corridors behind the stands were absolutely terrible, way too thin. Plus I witnessed a beating of a Swans supporter by 4 Carlscum "heroes". The police came round to talk to the slime, but they talked their way out of it.

There was a Carlton lady in front of us who took exception to everything I yelled out, including my catch cry. Ah well, I guess she was just angry and had to take her anger out on someone.

The result was a good one for the Swans, but I won't be in a hurry to go back there.

[Bleed Red Blood]

Agree, it really is an awful place to sit, move around etc

If there was a fire in the place noone would survive.

Last of the suburban grounds.

[swansrule100]

optus oval is a craphole! i wouldnt walk my dog there

[NMWBloods]

ABC spent a lot of time after the game (not surprising with Mackay on the commentary team) talking about how bad the facilities are and how Carlton will probably look to move to TD or MCG next year.

[Destructive]

Yeah, I heard that on the way out to pizza.

[lescygnes]

parc des princes went downhill when the elliott stand was built. the death knell was the so called legends stand (now the boot marks in ron cleggs back tell a legend, eh?!) is the WORST grandstand in the world.

agree with everyones sentiments now, but in days or yore, it was a great place, just not on a rainy day

John

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

Originally posted by lescygnes
agree with everyones sentiments now, but in days or yore, it was a great place, just not on a rainy day

John

I succinctly recall a match back in 1998. I came down to Victoria armed with only a small backpack. It pelted with freezing freezing rain all day. Supporters I know left at half time because they just couldn't hack the cold and wet; I recall that we didn't kick a goal in the 1st half. I was so upset I told a then-young Ando off ;) and was fighting off tears at half time. And wearing still half wet jeans when I went out later that night.

But it is when it is sunny that I hate Optus Oval the most. From the Legends Stand the sun was looking you straight in the face in the 3rd and 4th quarters. It was so low that even a cap couldn't hide you from it.

BUT especially for Swans fans, the place has an awesome atmosphere. Unlike at other grounds where members are seperated from the Cheer Squad at Optus they surround us. Hence the Swans supporter is as good if not better than at home matches at times.

But that doesn't cover up the fact that the place is ill-equipped for AFL crowds over 20000. Not good enough for a club who thinks it is one of the big 4 in Melbourne.

JF

[Plugger46]

Not as good as it was, but I still love going out there. It's real footy, not the "chardonay setting" stuff we get at the dome.

[TheHood]

Originally posted by Plugger46
Not as good as it was, but I still love going out there. It's real footy, not the "chardonay setting" stuff we get at the dome.

Been just the once, but have to agree with you P46 (can't believe I am saying this).

It was a freezing day, one of Melbourne's classic 4 seasons in one day stuff. The Hawks limped over the line against a lowly Blues. In the crowd near us was Dean Laidley (all alone) with him tiny note book scratching down strategy and sitting directly in front was Fred Schepsci (big Blues fan). One or 2 other legends of the game were sitting a few rows over.

We witnessed a close one with the crowd going wild (awesome). It was feral in the mens (and no not the smell) with the singing and abuse, I loved it and lamented the lack of passion at the SCG or Homebush.

My 2 best mates and I then had a pizza and 6 beers up the road and then we walked the 5 kms to the Telstra Dome where Goodesy took the Magpies apart.

Reckon that's a great day's footy? One of the very best!!

If Optus does go as a regular home ground for Carlton, then this Swans' fan will be very sad.

[Tilt]

Optus Oval is a terrible ground. Nothing to do with the 'Living in the Past' Carlton Scum that go there. (A couple of my good mates are Blues fans so I know what Im talking about).

The facilities are appalling and the stands although not that old look and feel like they were built in the early 1900's.

Plus it is almost impossible to get public transport to the ground and the cops always have a booze bus outside the ground after each match.(As John Elliott found out).

People who go on about 'good old suburban grounds' etc are kidding themselves. We had 'suburban grounds' years ago when there was one umpire, the captain was also the coach, beers were $1 and they opposition players rooms didnt have any hot water. The game is totally different now and the grounds have adjusted to that.

Hopefully the MCG dramatically improves on the terrible members stand they have now when they complete building.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by JF_Bay22_SCG
I succinctly recall a match back in 1998. I came down to Victoria armed with only a small backpack. It pelted with freezing freezing rain all day. Supporters I know left at half time because they just couldn't hack the cold and wet; I recall that we didn't kick a goal in the 1st half. I was so upset I told a then-young Ando off ;) and was fighting off tears at half time. And wearing still half wet jeans when I went out later that night.

But it is when it is sunny that I hate Optus Oval the most. From the Legends Stand the sun was looking you straight in the face in the 3rd and 4th quarters. It was so low that even a cap couldn't hide you from it.

BUT especially for Swans fans, the place has an awesome atmosphere. Unlike at other grounds where members are seperated from the Cheer Squad at Optus they surround us. Hence the Swans supporter is as good if not better than at home matches at times.

But that doesn't cover up the fact that the place is ill-equipped for AFL crowds over 20000. Not good enough for a club who thinks it is one of the big 4 in Melbourne.

JF

I remember that day. It was sunny right up till the start of the game the it P@#ssed down and the Temp dropped about 5 degrees. Plus it was a crap game!! I have only been back there once since then.

[GoBloods]

it is a toilet..the worst ground in the league ..but it is a pleasure to visit it when u can beat carlton . i rembere rnd 2 2002 , we beat carlton at optus by a record winning margin and kept them goalless in the 2nd half.i was sitting next to a group of 4 men .they all supported south and were in their 60's . one of them said to me he had been waiting 60yrs to see a result like that one. it was a real good day at the footy

[lescygnes]

windy hill was the toilet. wading through overflowing urine to take a pee was the legacy there.......

princes park was the hilton compared to that ground.

[Ryanus Maximus]

All the Victorian teams are enjoying their chance to get a bit of payback on Carlton. The Saints 91 point mauling of them last year at Optus and then the 108 point thrashing this year at the Dome were amongst my favourite results since I've been following football. Plus Brisbane's win over Adelaide a few weeks ago.

[Mike_B]

Looks like Carlton have bitten the bullet and want to leave OO - details here: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/10/1092102437776.html