Good news for GWS with the Sydney Showground redevelopment set to go ahead, however very disappointing from the Swans perspective. I can't believe we are going to give the entire western Sydney region over to GWS by not playing any games at ANZ Stadium. Our biggest ever crowds have always been at ANZ Stadium. Seriously stupid move by the club if true.
How are we expected to grow our crowds whilst being based full time at the SCG? Do we represent Sydney or just the eastern suburbs?
$45m to build ground for Greater Western Sydney
Peter Lalor
From: The Australian
May 18, 2010 12:00AM
THE division of NSW's AFL notional tribes will soon be complete, with the state government set to announce it will subsidise a redevelopment of the Sydney Showground, a move that will free the Swans from the code's commitment to the adjacent ANZ Stadium.
The Australian understands the AFL, the state government and the new Greater Western Sydney club will make an announcement next week.
Under the agreed terms, the government will put in an estimated $45 million to convert the showground into an AFL stadium for the GWS, which is due to enter the competition in 2012.
The showground is part of the Homebush Olympic precinct which also contains ANZ Stadium, but the two venues are run by separate bodies.
GWS and the AFL are reluctant to schedule anything but blockbuster matches at ANZ for fear the small crowds in an 81,000-seat venue will be bad publicity for the start-up club.
The new showground stadium will seat about 30,000 fans.
GWS will play nine matches at the showground and will take over the three matches the AFL is contractually obliged to play at ANZ Stadium as part of the arrangement that effectively divides Sydney in two.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news...-1225867938889
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