Vote #1 Whitten oval

[Twodogs]

MMM are running a poll for Melbourne's third AFL ground. Click on the link to vote for Whitten oval.


http://www.triplem.com.au/melbourne/sport/afl/news/2016/2/which-suburban-afl-ground-should-be-reactivated/

[bulldogtragic]

Done. 27% for us when I did it, only Princes Optus Visy MC Labour Ikon Oval Park with 37%.

[LostDoggy]

Me too. Same percentages, with Vic Park a long 3rd at 12%.

[SonofScray]

Done. There has been plenty of discussion on this board which has been great, even if it is a pipe dream it is one of my favourite things to think about.

[Bulldog4life]

Done. 27% for us when I did it, only Princes Optus Visy MC Labour Ikon Oval Park with 37%.

Exactly the same now.

[Twodogs]

I just voted again. Must be my ALP upbringing-vote early, vote often.;)

[bornadog]

I just voted again. Must be my ALP upbringing-vote early, vote often.;)

I voted twice by putting my browser into private mode.:D

[Eastdog]

I just voted again. Must be my ALP upbringing-vote early, vote often.;)

Me too. Would be great to have Whitten Oval as the 3rd botique stadium.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Don't make us go back to Princes Park

[Drunken Bum]

I voted twice by putting my browser into private mode.:D

Different browser works as well, going to have to test out the phone and the tablet next ;)

[Webby]

Just voted. 37 to 28 now.

[bulldogtragic]

Don't make us go back to Princes Park

Amen brother. My god... That was a shite time wasn't it. Never again please.

[LostDoggy]

Princes Park is godawful, but I kind of enjoyed our games there in 97/98. I lived in Flemington at the time, used to walk to the games through Royal Park golf course and the zoo. Very enjoyable.

[Greystache]

Amen brother. My god... That was a shite time wasn't it. Never again please.

Really? I can't remember another time where we won so many games.

Some of the standouts were in 97 where we played Geelong in a top of the table clash, the scores were level at 3/4 time, Geelong kicked the first goal of the last quarter, and instead of folding we kicked the next 5 goals and won by 20odd points.

Hawthorn level at 3/4 only for us to run out 46 point winners.

Belting Carlton with Chris Grant kicking 4 goals and racking up nearly 30 touches with the crowd around us counting them out loud after the Carlton supporter stood up and called Grant a dud after Michael Sexton marked the first clearance of the match.

Factor in you could see much better than Whitten Oval and they were some pretty great days.

[bulldogtragic]

Really? I can't remember another time where we won so many games.

Some of the standouts were in 97 where we played Geelong in a top of the table clash, the scores were level at 3/4 time, Geelong kicked the first goal of the last quarter, and instead of folding we kicked the next 5 goals and won by 20odd points.

Hawthorn level at 3/4 only for us to run out 46 point winners.

Belting Carlton with Chris Grant kicking 4 goals and racking up nearly 30 touches with the crowd around us counting them out loud after the Carlton supporter stood up and called Grant a dud after Michael Sexton marked the first clearance of the match.

Factor in you could see much better than Whitten Oval and they were some pretty great days.

Ah, no. The actual venue, I can't stand the joint.

[The Underdog]

Princes Park is godawful, but I kind of enjoyed our games there in 97/98. I lived in Flemington at the time, used to walk to the games through Royal Park golf course and the zoo. Very enjoyable.

I quite liked Princes Park in general (although I have fond memories of most suburban grounds, rose coloured glasses). While I understand the partisan reasons for WO over PP, I'd be interested in the arguments for one over the other

[1eyedog]

I quite liked Princes Park in general (although I have fond memories of most suburban grounds, rose coloured glasses). While I understand the partisan reasons for WO over PP, I'd be interested in the arguments for one over the other

Well Princes Park is in a dead space of Melbourne. Sure its surrounded by attractive active space but there are no eateries or vibrancy and only a tram out the front meaning PT is pretty crap. WO is in the heart of Footscray with a number of eateries, pubs and culture. It also has a train station. What's more if the AFL are serious about equalization how about lending their support at the community level rather than just a football one and supporting a boutique stadium in Footscray? Small to medium enterprises would benefit greatly locally and it would provide a real opportunity to make a difference and put something back in rather than just taking all the time.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

My problem with Princes Park (apart from it not being Western Oval) stems from being in the social club which we joined to ensure grand final tickets (?!). There was never enough seating there so we had to go to the snooty receptionist and get tickets to the White Elephant stand. When it was our home game against Carlton we weren't allowed in there at all. I think we treated Fitzroy supporters much better when we shared our ground with them

[1eyedog]

My problem with Princes Park (apart from it not being Western Oval) stems from being in the social club which we joined to ensure grand final tickets (?!). There was never enough seating there so we had to go to the snooty receptionist and get tickets to the White Elephant stand. When it was our home game against Carlton we weren't allowed in there at all. I think we treated Fitzroy supporters much better when we shared our ground with them

Fair enough. Playing a home game against a team who's home ground it is is just a terrible situation. Can you imagine Carlton Members trying to get into the Can Bar? They'd never make it out alive and rightfully so.

[Eastdog]

Well Princes Park is in a dead space of Melbourne. Sure its surrounded by attractive active space but there are no eateries or vibrancy and only a tram out the front meaning PT is pretty crap. WO is in the heart of Footscray with a number of eateries, pubs and culture. It also has a train station. What's more if the AFL are serious about equalization how about lending their support at the community level rather than just a football one and supporting a boutique stadium in Footscray? Small to medium enterprises would benefit greatly locally and it would provide a real opportunity to make a difference and put something back in rather than just taking all the time.

Great post 1eyedog. It would be great for the Footscray area. Now I know Ballarat is the way to go now and will be doing that - hope it is a huge success but why initially didn't we put money into redeveloping the Whitten Oval to AFL standard. Was it the politics possibly?

[hujsh]

4 votes from me

[KT31]

5 for me and number do not seem to change.

[1eyedog]

Great post 1eyedog. It would be great for the Footscray area. Now I know Ballarat is the way to go now and will be doing that - hope it is a huge success but why initially didn't we put money into redeveloping the Whitten Oval to AFL standard. Was it the politics possibly?

You got it Easty. The whim of the AFL, the support of local Government up there and where the cash is coming from dictated the result. The Whitten Oval redevelopment would be a massive undertaking and not just on a financial level.

[Mofra]

I quite liked Princes Park in general (although I have fond memories of most suburban grounds, rose coloured glasses). While I understand the partisan reasons for WO over PP, I'd be interested in the arguments for one over the other
No train station is a big one, little parking at PP is another.

We have space to add a multi-story car park at the Barkley St end of the ground too if there was ever a chance of a third boutique stadium - TBH I think the AFL would just rather the Ballarat development go ahead and 2-3 games per year take place up there.

[LostDoggy]

No train station is a big one, little parking at PP is another.

We have space to add a multi-story car park at the Barkley St end of the ground too if there was ever a chance of a third boutique stadium - TBH I think the AFL would just rather the Ballarat development go ahead and 2-3 games per year take place up there.
If they had a third boutique stadium in Melbourne, though, would that be for multiple teams? So us, North, StKilda, Melbourne etc would all play games against GWS, GCS, Freo and other low drawers at this venue designed for 10,000-25,000 crowds. Would be amazing for the area if they had 10 to 15 games per year at the ground.

[LostDoggy]

Don't make us go back to Princes Park
We had a good record there between '97-'99. Things only went down after we moved from there to the Docklands.

[bornadog]

Don't make us go back to Princes Park

I with you, hate that ground with a passion. Anything to do with Carlton, I like to stay clear.

[Sedat]

We had a good record there between '97-'99. Things only went down after we moved from there to the Docklands.
Yep, and I lived in Brunswick at the time so I thoroughly enjoyed walking to the ground and seeing us get the chocolates 9 times out of 10

[BornInDroopSt'54]

If they had a third boutique stadium in Melbourne, though, would that be for multiple teams? So us, North, StKilda, Melbourne etc would all play games against GWS, GCS, Freo and other low drawers at this venue designed for 10,000-25,000 crowds. Would be amazing for the area if they had 10 to 15 games per year at the ground.

ABC radio this morning reported that the AFL is looking at buying out Etihad early, because Docklands is saying it has no future because it blocks out the rest of the area. AFL to look at new stadium in land available in Nth Melb and other areas.

[Eastdog]

ABC radio this morning reported that the AFL is looking at buying out Etihad early, because Docklands is saying it has no future because it blocks out the rest of the area. AFL to look at new stadium in land available in Nth Melb and other areas.

E-gate maybe? Or another initiative in the area.

[bornadog]

ABC radio this morning reported that the AFL is looking at buying out Etihad early, because Docklands is saying it has no future because it blocks out the rest of the area. AFL to look at new stadium in land available in Nth Melb and other areas.

The article said they were thinking about it, didn't say they were looking.

[Dancin' Douggy]

Princes Park is godawful, but I kind of enjoyed our games there in 97/98. I lived in Flemington at the time, used to walk to the games through Royal Park golf course and the zoo. Very enjoyable.

Me too!

[Axe Man]

I used to love the late 90s at Princes Park as well. Sure it was an absolute prick to get to but it was great to watch footy at and we won an awful lot. I recall someone on the radio saying that Dimma must have had a trap door out on the ground because he always seemed to suddenly appear in acres of space.

I remember in 99 often standing in the forward pocket watching Nicky Winmar kick goals, with Libba's mum sitting down in front of us.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

There are a lot of apartment blocks going up around Ethiad

[ledge]

I don't think whitten oval would ever get a chance .. No parking... Also want easy access to airport I imagine .. Build one in Tullamarine if its going to be for interstate teams , with rooms to stay in.

[Eastdog]

I don't think whitten oval would ever get a chance .. No parking... Also want easy access to airport I imagine .. Build one in Tullamarine if its going to be for interstate teams , with rooms to stay in.

Yes parking would be the issue. You would just have to encourage supporters to take public transport. Easier said than done.

[Eastdog]

There are a lot of apartment blocks going up around Ethiad

Yes the inner west part of the city (Docklands, West Melbourne etc) has changed a lot over the last 10-15 years. When I was last there yes a lot of construction going on. I call this part of the inner city our heartland as well being very slightly west :)

[Twodogs]

Thinking about I like Whitten oval and all but it's like a job half done at the moment. Half the ground is quite new and half the ground is old school dingy.

The area behind the Geelong road goals around to where the new concreting starts including the weather beaten seating needs to be replaced. It stands out like dogs balls.

[LostDoggy]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/whitten-oval-set-to-bump-etihad-stadium-mcg-for-female-centrepiece-20160304-gnb9gz.html

This is a pretty exciting article on a couple of fronts; putting Whitten Oval to the fore and recognising the Dogs role in the development of the women's game. Would be awesome to see a Whitten Oval game being televised live.

[Twodogs]

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/whitten-oval-set-to-bump-etihad-stadium-mcg-for-female-centrepiece-20160304-gnb9gz.html

This is a pretty exciting article on a couple of fronts; putting Whitten Oval to the fore and recognising the Dogs role in the development of the women's game. Would be awesome to see a Whitten Oval game being televised live.


I'm in.

[LostDoggy]

The Western Bulldogs have submitted plans for a $50 million Stage 2 revamp of VU Whitten Oval. The proposal includes new lights and a new Whitten Stand.

https://www.austadiums.com/news/846/50-million-revamp-for-whitten-oval

https://www.austadiums.com/news/images/whitten-oval-redevelopment-s2b.jpg

https://www.austadiums.com/news/images/whitten-oval-redevelopment-s2.jpg

[Twodogs]

No helmets on pushbikes?

[Bulldog4life]

The Western Bulldogs have submitted plans for a $50 million Stage 2 revamp of VU Whitten Oval. The proposal includes new lights and a new Whitten Stand.

https://www.austadiums.com/news/846/50-million-revamp-for-whitten-oval

https://www.austadiums.com/news/images/whitten-oval-redevelopment-s2b.jpg

https://www.austadiums.com/news/images/whitten-oval-redevelopment-s2.jpg

Who would have thunk it in October 1989.

[ledge]

I’m interested to know about Cross street and how it will work.
Would love to see plans of that .

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

I tried to argue with the Save Footscray Park for the People mob that are vigorously opposing any development but had to give up when they said that the Bulldogs are eroding their rights to access the oval

[Vred]

Why exactly aren't we pushing this for AFL games as well? Surely we could use it as a home ground vs interstate teams.

[AshMac]

Why exactly aren't we pushing this for AFL games as well? Surely we could use it as a home ground vs interstate teams.

I have the same question. Seems like the perfect opportunity to pull the Ballarat games into Whitten Oval. imagine the league is much more interested in rural games to extend reach than playing in a different Melbourne suburb.

Seems the perfect opportunity to push for it though.

With the residential real estate attached the the full redevelopment - we could very well become the richest club in the league

[Eastdog]

Who would have thunk it in October 1989.

Our club has come a long way since that time. Things are very different now particularly on the financial front which is very strong for us nowadays.

[Eastdog]

Why exactly aren't we pushing this for AFL games as well? Surely we could use it as a home ground vs interstate teams.

Would love that Vred but yeah not sure that will happen.

[SonofScray]

I tried to argue with the Save Footscray Park for the People mob that are vigorously opposing any development but had to give up when they said that the Bulldogs are eroding their rights to access the oval

SFP opposition to VUWO development is disappointing.

I agreed with the premise of the opposition to MVFC facilities at Footscray Park as it was going to damage existing open, green space and limit opportunities for unstructured, recreational activity. In its place was going to be high cost, elite access facilities that provide limited service directly to the local community.

What needs to be considered here is:
FFC is a long standing contributor to the local community through programmes and partnerships outside of football.
FFC development of VUWO has created community assets for sport and recreation in a region where this is required.
WRFL, VAFA, women's leagues have access to a flagship venue for finals and training ect
Access to the oval was limited due to covid, there's no need for access to be limited beyond what the previous requirements where.
It's in the interests of the club for people outside of football and elite programmes to be around and use the space.


There is some give and take required. Where they have a role I suspect, is in making sure the Club is honest and transparent around access to the oval and ensuring changes that involve a loss of facilities (playground for instance) are offset or at least explained clearly.

[Prince Imperial]

Reading the club's application to the council there are some obvious benefits to the local residents that don't currently exist:

- openable gates on Barkley St will enable much greater access to the land;
- a new playground for the community to access;
- a new public basketball court.

I understand their concern about increased car-parking however the land is already currently used by the players and football department for this purpose. With all the activities of the football club, the community child care centre and community sports hall it's not in local residents interests for users of the facility to have to park in side streets.

[SonofScray]

Side note to the redevelopment:

Skinner Reserve Redevelopment (https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/News/Skinner-Reserve-proposed-redevelopment)

Looks like VFLW, VFL squads will have access to extra facilities at various points in the year down at Skinner Reserve. I am sure we all have fond memories of preseason training and at least one match v the Swans being played there in the early 90s.

Herald Sun one year incorrectly listed Skinner Rsv as our home ground on a special collectors set of hologram cards that you could use as a ladder. I wrote to them to correct the mistake and received an apology letter back from the editor. A big win over the HUN for a 10 or so year old.

I actually played soccer on the ground just before they pulled the stand down and did the development of the community hub. Used to also run a youth program down there for the local kids which was a big hit, I'll be glad to see the oval get more use and perhaps some improved facilities to accomodate the influx of girls teams in the local comps.

[Twodogs]

Side note to the redevelopment:

Skinner Reserve Redevelopment (https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/News/Skinner-Reserve-proposed-redevelopment)

Looks like VFLW, VFL squads will have access to extra facilities at various points in the year down at Skinner Reserve. I am sure we all have fond memories of preseason training and at least one match v the Swans being played there in the early 90s.

Herald Sun one year incorrectly listed Skinner Rsv as our home ground on a special collectors set of hologram cards that you could use as a ladder. I wrote to them to correct the mistake and received an apology letter back from the editor. A big win over the HUN for a 10 or so year old.

I actually played soccer on the ground just before they pulled the stand down and did the development of the community hub. Used to also run a youth program down there for the local kids which was a big hit, I'll be glad to see the oval get more use and perhaps some improved facilities to accomodate the influx of girls teams in the local comps.

A few posters on WOOF had an AFL touch footy team that normally played at Whitten oval but when the redevelopment was taking place we played one season at Skinner reserve. One time when David Rodan was in between AFL clubs his girlfriend made him play. He was kicking half the length of the field off the opposite foot!

[bornadog]

Side note to the redevelopment:

Skinner Reserve Redevelopment (https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/News/Skinner-Reserve-proposed-redevelopment)

Looks like VFLW, VFL squads will have access to extra facilities at various points in the year down at Skinner Reserve. I am sure we all have fond memories of preseason training and at least one match v the Swans being played there in the early 90s.

Herald Sun one year incorrectly listed Skinner Rsv as our home ground on a special collectors set of hologram cards that you could use as a ladder. I wrote to them to correct the mistake and received an apology letter back from the editor. A big win over the HUN for a 10 or so year old.

I actually played soccer on the ground just before they pulled the stand down and did the development of the community hub. Used to also run a youth program down there for the local kids which was a big hit, I'll be glad to see the oval get more use and perhaps some improved facilities to accomodate the influx of girls teams in the local comps.

I went to an all day concert there in the 70's - skyhooks, The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, and many I have forgotten.. The place was jammed packed.

[jeemak]

I went to an all day concert there in the 70's - skyhooks, The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, and many I have forgotten.. The place was jammed packed.

Were you a Mod or a Sharpie?

[Twodogs]

I went to an all day concert there in the 70's - skyhooks, The Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band, and many I have forgotten.. The place was jammed packed.

Madder Lake and the La De Das.

Australia produced some outright weird bands over the years, Kush, Mother Goose, Mental as Anything, Skyhooks, the Reels, Pineapples From the Dawn of Time, Shower Scene From Psycho, Split Enz, Jimmy and the Boys, Painters and Dockers, Mr Floppy etc, but for outright strangeness Captain Matchbox really took the cake. They had a residency at the Esplanade on Sunday nights and often things got very boisterous.

Wangaratta Wahine is one of my favourite Australian songs of all time


https://youtu.be/dVhQBhecL2U

[bornadog]

Were you a Mod or a Sharpie?

Sharpie

[Twodogs]

Sharpie

Of course. You were a western suburbs boy. None of that puncing around in suits like private school mods from Camberwell and Hawthorn.

Did you do the Sharpie dancing like on this video at 0.33 on?

To this day I still have no idea why sharpies turned up in huge numbers and danced away at early Hunters and Collectors gigs. It was funny to watch though.


https://youtu.be/1qzYzu6Bo80

[bornadog]

Of course. You were a western suburbs boy. None of that puncing around in suits like private school mods from Camberwell and Hawthorn.

Did you do the Sharpie dancing like on this video at 0.33 on?

To this day I still have no idea why sharpies turned up in huge numbers and danced away at early Hunters and Collectors gigs. It was funny to watch though.

Nah, I am talking 70s. We danced to Lobby Lloyd :D


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIIjo-jieVQ&ab_channel=Brookesy-PeteBrookes

It was all short lived - a couple of years in the 70s. Anyone still calling themselves sharpies in the 80s were hanging on to a dead culture.

[Prince Imperial]

Maribyrnong Council last night approved the club's redevelopment plans. However, they did reject the building of parking spaces in Spurling Reserve and determined that it be used as open space for local residents.

The proposed public basketball court also was intended to be used for car parking in the plans so I assume that won't be going ahead now.

I'm not sure how the club will handle parking after this but given post-Covid reductions in staffing this should be less of an issue.

[Prince Imperial]

Maribyrnong Council last night approved the club's redevelopment plans. However, they did reject the building of parking spaces in Spurling Reserve and determined that it be used as open space for local residents.

The proposed public basketball court also was intended to be used for car parking in the plans so I assume that won't be going ahead now.

I'm not sure how the club will handle parking after this but given post-Covid reductions in staffing this should be less of an issue.

The Council has also approved a condition that the Whitten Oval must remain open to the public at all times except for approved match days, so that's good news for those hardcore fans who want to watch training!

[ledge]

The Council has also approved a condition that the Whitten Oval must remain open to the public at all times except for approved match days, so that's good news for those hardcore fans who want to watch training!

So that elminates closed training sessions.
Not sure that’s a good thing , other clubs spies will be rubbing their hands together.

[bornadog]

So that elminates closed training sessions.
Not sure that’s a good thing , other clubs spies will be rubbing their hands together.

I don't think it is a big deal. You look at Arden st and also Collingwood's ground and they are wide open for all to see.

[Twodogs]

So that elminates closed training sessions.
Not sure that’s a good thing , other clubs spies will be rubbing their hands together.

Unless you are somehow going to stop people watching from Mt Mistake then closed sessions are pointless anyway. And that would be impossible. If other clubs wanted to watch our training sessions then they could do it quite easily.

[1eyedog]

So that elminates closed training sessions.
Not sure that’s a good thing , other clubs spies will be rubbing their hands together.

I asked Bevo about this at a training session in 2016 and he said all set plays are practiced in our performance centre. They basically do nothing but run around for a while on the ground i.e. stretching, some skills, a bit of soccer, goal kicking and marking. They stopped set plays on the ground when Macca departed.

[Twodogs]

I asked Bevo about this at a training session in 2016 and he said all set plays are practiced in our performance centre. They basically do nothing but run around for a while on the ground i.e. stretching, some skills, a bit of soccer, goal kicking and marking. They stopped set plays on the ground when Macca departed.

Makes sense. Like I said it's impossible to stop people seeing the ground from the overpass if they really want to.

[bornadog]

I asked Bevo about this at a training session in 2016 and he said all set plays are practiced in our performance centre. They basically do nothing but run around for a while on the ground i.e. stretching, some skills, a bit of soccer, goal kicking and marking. They stopped set plays on the ground when Macca departed.

Another reason why we are extending the training centre - have more room for this sort of stuff.

[Eastdog]

Skinner Reserve. I believe where Doug Hawkins played when he was with Braybrook before joining us in 1978.

[Twodogs]

Skinner Reserve. I believe where Doug Hawkins played when he was with Braybrook before joining us in 1978.

Braybrook play at Pennell reserve in Braybrook. Tell a Braybrook boy he's from Sunshine and you'd be lucky just to be hospitalized!

These are guys who have their postcode tattooed on their neck.

[Eastdog]

Braybrook play at Pennell reserve in Braybrook. Tell a Braybrook boy he's from Sunshine and you'd be lucky just to be hospitalized!

These are guys who have their postcode tattooed on their neck.

Thanks for that Twodogs :)

[Twodogs]

Thanks for that Twodogs :)

Us Yarraville boys were tough but when the Braybrook boys turned up we pretended to be boy scouts. It didn't stop them from stomping on our heads but at least a few of us got a headset start

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

Skinner Reserve was the home of the Sunshine Crows

[Eastdog]

Us Yarraville boys were tough but when the Braybrook boys turned up we pretended to be boy scouts. It didn't stop them from stomping on our heads but at least a few of us got a headset start

Yeah being an eastern suburbs Doggies supporter it is intersting hearing Woofers recounting about the old days before my time growing up near and around Footscray.