If you could bring just one thing…

[bulldogtragic]

From The Western Oval match days to the current match day experience at Docklands what would you do?

From a conversation in another thread about the current match day experience vs the old. It can be anything you like no matter how big, or impossible.

It might be a food the WO famous for?
Or be a bar?
Making the opposition coach climb a ladder into a demountable?
Taking out the seats behind the goals so you can walk end to end, quarter to quarter to watch Naughton, Marra & Lobb (Bruce and Darcy) plus Cody?
Having reserves play before the main game, and the bench accessible to autograph hunt emerging players?
Mobility, to stand and move but closer to the play?
Wind and rain? A real home ground advantage?

Any one thing you wanted… possible or not…


I’ll take the option to take out seats behind the goals. Walking from end to end, quarter to quarter, following our forward line in a migratory tribe to watch our forwards would make for fun. Along with four quarters of taunting the same defenders is not to be overlooked either. There’s a sense of tribal and fun in that, that ticketed seating just can’t offer.

[I'm Not Bitter Anymore!]

I lived across the road and used to go home at half time for a cuppa so the location for me

[EasternWest]

I lived across the road and used to go home at half time for a cuppa so the location for me

Close the thread. We're done here. Nothing is going to top this.

[bulldogtragic]

I lived across the road and used to go home at half time for a cuppa so the location for me

Can't compete with that loss. So you regularly missed the Hyde St Band?

[Twodogs]

The Can Bar that used to be up in the John Gent stand. The best place ever to watch footy from. It was elevated so you could see the whole ground, it sold cans of beer from a trestle table at the back and the best thing about it was the coaches' boxes were on either side so the coaches not only had to walk through the supporters to get on the ground but you could yell advice to them while the game was being played.

[Bulldog4life]

The Can Bar that used to be up in the John Gent stand. The best place ever to watch footy from. It was elevated so you could see the whole ground, it sold cans of beer from a trestle table at the back and the best thing about it was the coaches' boxes were on either side so the coaches not only had to walk through the supporters to get on the ground but you could yell advice to them while the game was being played.

Excellent choice Td. Ditto for me too

[Twodogs]

Excellent choice Td. Ditto for me too

It was possibly THE greatest place in the world ever.

Actually it was PROBABLY the greatest place in the world ever. I can't think of anywhere else better.

[GVGjr]

I used to get to the games early so as to grab a couple of seats in the Can Bar. As Twodogs mentioned it was the best spot you could watch games from. I used to sit near a former under 19's coach for us and really enjoyed discussing the footy with him.
As good as it was it got better when Harry Beitzel started calling our games on 3WRB with Tommy Lahiff from a room located there.
I used to have a quick chat to both of them before the game. Harry was good at remembering names but not so much Tommy.
I used to be able to impersonate Tommy's catchphrases and once entered a competition on the radio. I think I came in 3rd behind Darren James from Coodabeen Champions fame and someone called Paul who mainly used to impersonate political characters.
The Can Bar consisted of a couple of large shelf style fridges side by side, trestle tables and I'm pretty sure you could get pies out of the warmer and soft drinks. Plenty of people would pack their own food and you pretty much met the same people up there.

The last time I got up to the Can Bar was when there was renovations being done to the ground and the John Gents Stand.
There was bird shit everywhere but I ended up having a long conversation with Robert Murphy's mother and father. Bob was coming back from a knee injury and they said how much it was impacting him.

Can Bar was a special spot.

One other thing I think could be brought back is the old selectors table night. I went to a heap of them and it was a laugh a minute.
Super McPherson hosted them for a couple of seasons.

The Jam Doughnuts Caravan was sensational treat especially after a win, I must of got 3rd degree burns on the lips from there a dozen times.

[bulldogtragic]

Like Hollywood, the club could just reboot all those classics and cash in!

[Grantysghost]

My auntie's bag.

It was full of all sorts of confection and made its appearance at half time every game at the Western Oval.

I don't miss being pinged on the head with 50c pieces when the Hyde St.band walked around and people threw coins into the tarp they were carrying.

[SquirrelGrip]

The return of the Hyde Street Band is a must for me.

Also, can you get Midori & lemonade anywhere at Marvel?

[Eastdog]

I lived across the road and used to go home at half time for a cuppa so the location for me

That's fantastic!

[1eyedog]

The slope of land in the south-west quadrant (Geelong Road end). We purposefully brought cardboard to match day so we could slide down on our arses. Heaps of kids used to do it. A fun novelty.

[bornadog]

Peanut Man

[Grantysghost]

Peanut Man

He yaaa peanuts !
https://resources.carltonfc.com.au/photo-resources/2019/11/27/df5b4798-5bef-4a0b-b3c9-5377ab3e0f56/DmnefJDU.jpg?width=1125&height=699

Edit : It was Perna Peanuts. Ah the memories.

https://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/128927/the-peanut-man-carlton-and-me

Edit 2 : John Boyd aka the peanut man was Matthew Boyd's great uncle !

Interestingly John’s brother Len (deceased) is the grandfather of Western Bulldogs captain Matthew Boyd, meaning John is Matthew’s great uncle. Matt’s dad Peter was one of Barassi’s Babes. He never played a senior game but carved out a fine VFA career at Frankston, captaining the club at one stage.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Atmosphere.

Look, I get it - the game has changed, it's much more professional, but sitting in the stands at Marvel can be a robotic experience.

It's why I hope in my time, we can redevelop WO to a point where we can play interstate sides.

[Twodogs]

I lived across the road and used to go home at half time for a cuppa so the location for me

One of my best mates lived in Swan st. At halftime we'd duck over for few bongs and to stand in front of the heater.

On more than one occasion we didn't actually make it back.

[WBFC4FFC]

The return of the Hyde Street Band is a must for me.

Also, can you get Midori & lemonade anywhere at Marvel?

Yep, the Hyde Street Bans should play the song as the side runs out and around the ground at half-time still.

More Standing Room would be great. I still stand lower deck when not with the family.

PS: I am a Vegetarian these days and have never been a KFC man, but seeing the fans duck off at half-time for KFC and coming back with it was some great memories from the Barkly St end. Vividly remember in 1996 half-way through the third as the Bullies were destroying the Crows, a supporter coming back with a full-bucket under each arm, exposed to the light drizzle. I still have not seen anyone close to smiling like this fan was!!!!

[Swoop]

Can I say a genuine home ground advantage that opposition sides fear coming to?

[mjp]

It's hard.

I attended the WAFL grand final this year at Leederville Oval. It was great in terms of atmosphere - 16500 in a ground build to hold maybe 10000 with facilities for about 3000...but the experience wasn't completely amazing.

The line for the toilets was biblical, getting a beer was impossible, food...what food...I was on the wing and looking directly into the setting sun in the last quarter...there was some 'BAD' in it. But at the same time there was some 'BAD' in the experience 'back in the day' as well. And despite what lots of people say (and I'm old) there have ALWAYS been bad footy games...

There has to be a balance though. Surely a club can do 'something' about trying to merge old and new. Boutique stadiums that hold 30000 should be enough for MOST games...and they could surely include things like a can bar, a marching band...and you should be able to get 'decent' food and apologies if I don't think that a Mrs Macs pie or whatever is the height of culinary perfection in 2022. Just look at any number of city cafe's and you will see a range of sangers/rolls/whatevers for < $15. Why at the footy does the worst version of this served along with half-sucked chips = the 'best' that can be done.

And yep, I know all about the boys club and how the in-ground catering profits are directed into the pockets of AFL directors...

Given a choice between the AFLW game I recently attended at Punt Road - possibly the single worst spectator experience I have ever had at a sporting event at ANY level (including Auskick!) - and dealing with piped in music at Marvel, I'd take the piped in music. At the same time, there simply HAS to be a better way.

Making the match day experience is going to become more and more important to clubs as that will be one way to differentiate income.

[The Underdog]

It's hard.

I attended the WAFL grand final this year at Leederville Oval. It was great in terms of atmosphere - 16500 in a ground build to hold maybe 10000 with facilities for about 3000...but the experience wasn't completely amazing.

The line for the toilets was biblical, getting a beer was impossible, food...what food...I was on the wing and looking directly into the setting sun in the last quarter...there was some 'BAD' in it. But at the same time there was some 'BAD' in the experience 'back in the day' as well. And despite what lots of people say (and I'm old) there have ALWAYS been bad footy games...

There has to be a balance though. Surely a club can do 'something' about trying to merge old and new. Boutique stadiums that hold 30000 should be enough for MOST games...and they could surely include things like a can bar, a marching band...and you should be able to get 'decent' food and apologies if I don't think that a Mrs Macs pie or whatever is the height of culinary perfection in 2022. Just look at any number of city cafe's and you will see a range of sangers/rolls/whatevers for < $15. Why at the footy does the worst version of this served along with half-sucked chips = the 'best' that can be done.

And yep, I know all about the boys club and how the in-ground catering profits are directed into the pockets of AFL directors...

Given a choice between the AFLW game I recently attended at Punt Road - possibly the single worst spectator experience I have ever had at a sporting event at ANY level (including Auskick!) - and dealing with piped in music at Marvel, I'd take the piped in music. At the same time, there simply HAS to be a better way.

Making the match day experience is going to become more and more important to clubs as that will be one way to differentiate income.

Was standing on the wing for that Punt Road game and I'm not sure I've watched footy from too many worse places.

[mjp]

Was standing on the wing for that Punt Road game and I'm not sure I've watched footy from too many worse places.

LOL @ "The wing". Was that the 2metres of grass between the boundary fence and the fence around the ground?

Seriously, what a joke.

[mjp]

This article made me think of this thread:

https://apple.news/A99cxg727TeeOTm9asg3edA

[azabob]

One other thing I think could be brought back is the old selectors table night. I went to a heap of them and it was a laugh a minute.
Super McPherson hosted them for a couple of seasons.

.

I'd forgotten about those. I remember me and my old man would treck all the way from Seaford about 3-4 times a year.

I remember one year Chris Grant was on the roaming mike and Terry Wallace was coach and I asked about a recent draftee Paul Digiovine and what type of player he would become. As you can see from the below link 1997 was a great draft year.

https://www.footywire.com/afl/footy/td-western-bulldogs?year=1997

[SonofScray]

Hyde St Band.

I’d be prepared to have them perform in a more modern format, so long as they kill off all the other music etc.

[Bulldog4life]

I used to get to the games early so as to grab a couple of seats in the Can Bar. As Twodogs mentioned it was the best spot you could watch games from. I used to sit near a former under 19's coach for us and really enjoyed discussing the footy with him.
As good as it was it got better when Harry Beitzel started calling our games on 3WRB with Tommy Lahiff from a room located there.
I used to have a quick chat to both of them before the game. Harry was good at remembering names but not so much Tommy.
I used to be able to impersonate Tommy's catchphrases and once entered a competition on the radio. I think I came in 3rd behind Darren James from Coodabeen Champions fame and someone called Paul who mainly used to impersonate political characters.
The Can Bar consisted of a couple of large shelf style fridges side by side, trestle tables and I'm pretty sure you could get pies out of the warmer and soft drinks. Plenty of people would pack their own food and you pretty much met the same people up there.

The last time I got up to the Can Bar was when there was renovations being done to the ground and the John Gents Stand.
There was bird shit everywhere but I ended up having a long conversation with Robert Murphy's mother and father. Bob was coming back from a knee injury and they said how much it was impacting him.

Can Bar was a special spot.

One other thing I think could be brought back is the old selectors table night. I went to a heap of them and it was a laugh a minute.
Super McPherson hosted them for a couple of seasons.

The Jam Doughnuts Caravan was sensational treat especially after a win, I must of got 3rd degree burns on the lips from there a dozen times.

"Are you there Harry" was one of Tommy's gifts to us. Paul Jennings was a great mimic and also sometimes was the guy with the mic on World Championship Wrestling on channel 9 between Jack Little and EJ.

[GVGjr]

"Are you there Harry" was one of Tommy's gifts to us. Paul Jennings was a great mimic and also sometimes was the guy with the mic on World Championship Wrestling on channel 9 between Jack Little and EJ.

Yes, it was Paul Jennings and Darren James who beat me impersonating Tommy.
I could also do a good John Farhnam.

[Bulldog4life]

Yes, it was Paul Jennings and Darren James who beat me impersonating Tommy.
I could also do a good John Farhnam.

To be beaten only by James & Jennings is outstanding G. Pity there is no video on WOOF.:D

[bornadog]

Yes, it was Paul Jennings and Darren James who beat me impersonating Tommy.
I could also do a good John Farhnam.

Also Timmy from Coodabeens as I recall

[Mofra]

Standing with the same people each week.
Last year, those of us with reserved seats didn't even get to get the modern day equivalent.

You get to know the quirky types and enjoy the banter in cotext.
At Whitten Oval as a kid I remember Alby who always stood in the same spot near us and finished every piece of 'advice' with "you dickhead!"
The blokes who stood on the other side of the race one full season just to cheer/heckle Mick Frost.
The guy behind us who hated players 'coralling' the opposition and seemed to wait the whole game just to yell "run at him!" whenever it happened.
Etc
Etc

Atmosphere isn't fancy graphics, music on PAs, fireworks, costumes. It's none of that. It's people - and it's not just the connection the club has with it's supporters, the connection that supporters forge with each other that is a vital part of the connection.
Modern football in GA seats, the past two years (everywhere) and the standing areas has completely overlooked this.

[Twodogs]

Yes, it was Paul Jennings and Darren James who beat me impersonating Tommy.
I could also do a good John Farhnam.

There's no such thing as a good John Farnham.

My best was Classy Freddy Blassie, the Iron Sheikh and Captain Lou Albama.

[EasternWest]

There's no such thing as a good John Farnham.

https://i.postimg.cc/BnCktKfx/images-33.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

[Murphy'sLore]

Atmosphere isn't fancy graphics, music on PAs, fireworks, costumes. It's none of that. It's people - and it's not just the connection the club has with it's supporters, the connection that supporters forge with each other that is a vital part of the connection.
Modern football in GA seats, the past two years (everywhere) and the standing areas has completely overlooked this.[/QUOTE]

A million times this. In fact they have gone to great lengths to smother any possibility of forming human connections by blaring extraneous noise at us at every opportunity to drown out even ordinary conversation. It's like they're scared of us or something.