Docklands Stadium

Docklands Stadium
Etihad Stadium
Etihad Stadium logo.svg
Etihad Stadium crop.jpg
Former names Colonial Stadium
Telstra Dome
Location Harbour Esplanade, Melbourne Docklands
Coordinates 37°48′59″S 144°56′51″E / 37.81639°S 144.9475°E / -37.81639; 144.9475Coordinates: 37°48′59″S 144°56′51″E / 37.81639°S 144.9475°E / -37.81639; 144.9475
Broke ground 1996
Opened 9 March 2000
Owner James Fielding Funds Management
Operator Melbourne Stadiums Limited
Surface Grass
Construction cost A$460 million
Architect Daryl Jackson Architects and Hok Sport Architecture[1]
General Contractor Baulderstone Hornibrook
Capacity 53,359 (Seating Capacity)
56,347 (Venue Capacity)
Tenants
AFL: Carlton (2005–present)
Essendon (2000–present)
North Melbourne (2002–present)
St Kilda (2000–present)
Western Bulldogs (2000–present)
A-League: Melbourne Victory (2006–2011)
NRL: Melbourne Storm (2001)
Big Bash Cricket : Melbourne Renegades (2011–)

Docklands Stadium (also known by its former sponsored names of Colonial Stadium and Telstra Dome and its current sponsorship name of Etihad Stadium) is a multi-purpose sports and entertainment stadium in the Docklands precinct of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Construction started in October 1997 under the working name, "Victoria Stadium" [2] and was completed in 2000 at a cost of A$460 million.

Originally built as a replacement for Waverley Park, the stadium is primarily used for Australian rules football and is the headquarters of the Australian Football League (AFL) who, as part of the construction deal, assume ownership of the ground in 2025. Also headquartered at the stadium is Seven Network's digital broadcast centre.

The stadium has been host to other sporting events, including Melbourne Victory soccer matches, one-off matches for sports including cricket, rugby league and rugby union, and several specialised events and concerts.

The stadium has been controversial since its first construction and there has been a significant amount of criticism directed toward the facility, particularly from its major tenant, the AFL. The AFL have increasingly regarded the stadium owner as a hostile landlord, engaging in numerous lawsuits against the current owners[3] and threatening to build a rival stadium as close as a kilometre away in the short-term.[4]

Contents

History

Docklands Stadium is seen here under construction (Christmas 1998)

The stadium was announced on 31 October 1996 as a replacement for the much larger Waverley Park as a headquarters for the Australian Football League.[5] The opening match was played between Essendon and Port Adelaide before a crowd of 43,012. Eventual premiers of that season, Essendon, ended up victorious by 94 points, with full-forward Matthew Lloyd (who was booked in the second quarter of that match for striking) kicking seven goals.[6] Originally developed by the Docklands Stadium Consortium and thereafter controlled by the Seven Network, the remaining leasehold interest in the stadium was sold to James Fielding Funds Management on 21 June 2006 for A$330 million.[7] In 2025 the AFL is expected to take over the ownership.[8]

Like Waverley it was built for Australian rules football, unlike most grounds of a similar size in Australia which were originally designed for cricket.

In 2000, the first indoor One Day International was held when the Australian cricket team played South Africa in the "Super Challenge". It has been a venue for usually off-season one day matches but it held VB Series matches in 2006 due to the Melbourne Cricket Ground being unavailable due to preparations for it being the main stadium for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

The stadium is the first stadium to have movable seating in Australia. All four level-one tiers of the stadium can be moved up to 18 metres forward into a rectangular configuration. It was first used for a Melbourne Storm game in July 2001. Despite the seating being a key feature of the stadium, it has rarely been used, citing damage to turf, time to deploy the seats and a reduced capacity (the corners of the stadium in level 1 are not movable).

The last time it was used in its rectangular configuration was the 2010 A-League Grand Final between Melbourne Victory and Sydney FC.

The first AFL goal at this ground was kicked by Essendon's Michael Long, in Essendon's 94-point demolition of Port Adelaide on 9 March 2000. West Coast player Mark LeCras holds the record for most goals kicked in a single match at this ground, with 12. St Kilda player Stephen Milne holds the records for most games played at this ground, with 124, and most goals kicked at this ground overall, with 305 (both records stand as of 10 September 2011), six more than Matthew Lloyd of Essendon. Geelong has the best winning percentage of any team at 63.24% (from 43 wins and 25 losses) whilst St Kilda have won the most games of any team at the venue (93 wins, 4 draws and 55 losses at 62.50%). Geelong hold the records for biggest score (35.12 (222)) and biggest win (157 points) at the venue, both against Richmond in Round 6, 2007.

One-off events

Docklands Stadium with an open roof (Good Friday 2011)

Events that have been held at the Docklands Stadium include concerts by many famous artists.

KISS performed on 28 February 2003, with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, for their live CD/DVD, Kiss Symphony: Alive IV.

Other events include wrestling (World Wrestling Entertainment Global Warning, 2002) and boxing (Kostya Tszyu vs Jesse James Leilya, 2003).

The stadium is one of only two in the world that have hosted One Day International cricket indoors, as it is the only fully enclosed stadium in any major cricket playing country with a playing surface large enough to accommodate a conventional cricket match. The other stadium to have hosted an Indoor Cricket match is the Millennium Stadium in Wales.[9][10][11]

The ground hosted two quarter finals of the 2003 Rugby World Cup and the Rugby 7s at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.[12] The stadium was used in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup for the Australia vs England game. In the summer months it is used as the home ground for Melbourne Victory games in the A-League and the AFC Champions League. The stadium is used for Rugby League State of Origin matches when they are played in Melbourne. This ground will host the opening match of the 2012 series, earmarked as a New South Wales home game.

The stadium hosted a match from the International Rules Series in 2005 (due to the MCG undergoing works for the Commonwealth Games) and will host another in 2011. Since 2003, it has been the venue for the E. J. Whitten Legends Game.

In 2001, Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne Hellas staged the first and only National Soccer League game to be held at this stadium.

On 1 and 3 December 2010, U2 played their Melbourne shows of the U2 360° Tour at the stadium with Jay Z as their support act. The stage was so large that the roof could not be closed.

In December 2010, legendary New Jersey rockers Bon Jovi played the stadium as part of The Circle Tour.

The stadium hosted the Armin van Buuren Armin Only Mirage event on 31 December 2010.

Home teams

The Docklands Stadium is officially home ground to five AFL teams. The Western Bulldogs, Carlton, Essendon, St Kilda and North Melbourne use the stadium as their primary home ground. Collingwood and Richmond, also play home games there, but their official home ground is the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Geelong also use it for a number of home games, but the club's home ground is Skilled Stadium in Geelong. The AFL highest home and away attendance recorded at the Docklands Stadium was set on 5 July 2009 when 54,444 people attended to see St. Kilda and Geelong play in Round 14 as they were 1st and 2nd, respectively, on the AFL ladder[citation needed].

Melbourne Victory also occasionally play matches at Docklands. Originally, the plan was that the stadium would only be used for A-League games against the Victory's biggest rivals Sydney FC in the 2006/07 A-League season due to the prediction of a large crowd. All other games were supposed to be at the Victory's usual home ground, Olympic Park Stadium. Due to the success of the game, a record crowd of 39,730 attended the game. Due to the success of the game, the Victory found Olympic Park's capacity of 18,000 too small, especially after the Round 4 match at Olympic Park attracted a capacity crowd of 17,617. Melbourne then moved all their home games bar one against the struggling New Zealand Knights to Docklands for the 2006/07 season. The move was a success, with a 27,000 crowd average. The Victory decided to move all their home games permanently from the 2007/08 season. This also gave the stadium a major summer tenant, of which the stadium lacked in its early years.

Melbourne Victory continued to play all games at Docklands until the end of the 2009/10 season, when their new home at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium was completed. The Victory will play blockbuster and finals games at Docklands, with all other games being played at the new stadium. The Victory will play five blockbuster games against Gold Coast United, Adelaide United (twice), Sydney FC and Melbourne Heart.[citation needed]

In the 2001 NRL season it was the home ground for the Melbourne Storm, as well as hosting one home game in 2008 and three in 2010. Until the end of 2009, the stadium was also used as the Storm's home finals venue due to the low capacity of its then normal home ground, Olympic Park Stadium (preliminary finals must be played in a 25,000 seat venue). Home finals are now played at their current home ground, AAMI Park.

In 2011, it was announced that new Big Bash League side Melbourne Renegades would play its home games at the Docklands Stadium.

Naming rights history

The stadium was constructed by Baulderstone Hornibrook and opened on 9 March 2000, as Colonial Stadium. Colonial State Bank paid $32.5 million for 10 years of naming rights.[13] In 2000, Commonwealth Bank took over Colonial State Bank and sold the naming rights to Telstra for about $50 million. The name was changed to Telstra Dome on 1 October 2002. During this time it was colloquially referred to as simply "The Dome", including by clubs who are sponsored by rival telecommunications companies (such as Essendon, who at the time were sponsored by 3). On 1 March 2009 the name was changed to Etihad Stadium, for an expected period of five years, when the naming rights transferred to Etihad Airways.[14] Etihad Airways are paying an estimated $5–$8 million a year for naming rights at the Docklands stadium.[15] Controversy surrounds the new name, with the AFL initially refusing to recognise it. AFL chief operating officer Gillon McLachlan confirmed the AFL would not recognise the new name due to a lucrative sponsorship deal between the AFL and Australia's largest airline, Qantas.[16] After negotiation between the two parties, AFL broadcasters and clubs are permitted by the governing body to use the stadium's sponsored name.

Stadium features

A section of the movable seating.
One of the Large LCDs at Docklands Stadium
  • Retractable roof 38 metres (125 ft) above the playing surface, opens east-west, and takes eight minutes to fully open or close.[12]
  • Movable seating
  • Two large internal replay screens which display scores and advertisements.
  • External super screen
  • 1000 video seats
  • 13 function rooms
  • 66 corporate boxes
  • Premium Club membership area, The Medallion Club
  • 500 car parking spaces below the ground
  • Oval shaped, turf playing surface of 19,053 square metres (205,080 sq ft) or 170 by 140 m (560 by 460 ft)
  • Over 700 2000-watt lights for arena illumination
  • A varying capacity of between 12,000 and 74,000, depending on the event. For example seats can be laid on the ground.
  • An AFL capacity of 53,359
  • Dimensions of playing area are 159.5 metres by 128.5 metres (174.4 yards by 140.5 yards)
  • The ends of the ground, where the AFL goal posts are located, are generally named after VFL/AFL goal-kicking legends Tony 'Plugger' Lockett and Gordon Coventry. The northern end is the Lockett End, and the southern end, the Coventry End. These names are subject to changed as appropriate for circumstances: for Essendon home matches, the Coventry End is renamed the Lloyd End, and for VFL games, the ends are renamed after VFA/VFL goal-kicking legends Jim 'Frosty' Miller and Fred Cook.

Criticism

Several issues with the Docklands Stadium have caused growing resentment within the Australian Football League and prompted the league to publicly investigate an alternative third venue. At times this venue has been suggested as a redeveloped Princes Park Football Ground or a rival stadium in the Docklands area.[17][18]

Playing surface issues

Interior of the Docklands Stadium with the roof closed. Taken during a Collingwood vs Port Adelaide AFL Match. 1 July 2005

Since its inception, the Docklands Stadium has endured criticism over the quality and suitability of its playing surface, in particular for AFL requirements. It has been criticised by players and coaches for its slipperiness, hardness and lack of grass coverage.[19] The turf has required regular expensive replacement since its inception due to a lack of sunlight inside the stadium. The turf itself is supplied under contract by HG Turf, whereas the responsibility of laying and managing the turf lies with Docklands Stadium management.[20]

Issues with the ground's ability to grow grass all year round can be attributed to the stadium's irregular North-South orientation which was a requirement due to its placement between the surrounding roads and Docklands body of water. In particular, the Northern end of the stadium only receives 6 weeks of sunlight a year. Concerts held at the stadium are also usually placed at the Southern end due to the ability for grass to recover faster in that section of the ground.[21]

In August 2007, Docklands Stadium chief executive Ian Collins confirmed talks were underway to purchase an elaborate lighting and heating system to allow grass to be grown by curators all year round. This followed extensive visits by Docklands Stadium officials to several FIFA World Cup venues in Germany, locations in the United States and Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium.[21]

Studies have also been conducted due to concerns that hard surfaces like the surface at the Docklands Stadium increase the likelihood of player injury, in particular in contributing to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries (knee).[22]

Spectators

Despite being a purpose-built Australian rules football venue, it rarely reaches a full capacity for AFL matches due to the positioning of the coaching boxes and LCD screens. From some areas high in the stands and even standing areas, viewing of the full oval is obscured. This, however does not affect sports which use a smaller rectangular section of the ground.

Additionally, spectators have objected to high food costs at the venue.[23]

Attendance records

A typical AFL match at Docklands Stadium

In popular culture

The venue appeared in the 2007 film Ghost Rider. Its name, wherever visible, has been digitally changed to the SoBe Dome. It can also be seen in the video for Jessica Mauboy's single Running Back, as well as some high rating television shows, such as the Seven Network's City Homicide and Network Ten's Rush. The stadium was also visible in the background during broadcasts of Seven News Melbourne until the background camera was changed in August 2010. It was also visible in broadcasts of Nine News Melbourne for a period up until 2006 when it was replaced with a shot overlooking the city's east.

March 2010 stadium damage

The venue was damaged by a super-cell thunderstorm on the afternoon of 6 March 2010 during the 2010 Victorian storms. The external roof (not the main retractable roof) caved in, causing damage and flooding in one of the stadium's entertainment precincts. Because of the damage, the St. Kilda v Fremantle NAB Cup Semi Final was delayed due to worksafe inspections. Only around 5,000 people made it back into the arena when it was safe to return.

External links

Footnotes

References
  1. ^ Etihad Stadium Populous Architekten
  2. ^ Linnell, Stephen; Shane Green (31 October 1996). "City to get $200m high-tech stadium". Melbourne: The Age. http://150.theage.com.au/view_bestofarticle.asp?straction=update&inttype=1&intid=927. Retrieved 2009-03-01. 
  3. ^ Wilson, Caroline (2009-05-01). "More stadiums no answer to problems of AFL clubs – RFNews – theage.com.au". The Age (Melbourne). http://www.theage.com.au/news/rfnews/more-stadiums-debate-a-distraction/2009/04/30/1240982346033.html. 
  4. ^ ibid
  5. ^ "Victorian Venues". Australian Football League. http://www.afl.com.au/fixture/aflvenues/victoria/tabid/13533/default.aspx. Retrieved 2009-05-08. 
  6. ^ Main, p. 263.
  7. ^ "Seven sells Telstra Dome stake". News Limited. 2006-07-21. 
  8. ^ Australia's Telstra Dome Rights For Sale | Sports & Recreation > Sports & Recreation Facilities & Venues
  9. ^ "History of the Millennium Stadium". Millennium Stadium. http://www.millenniumstadium.com/history/index.php. Retrieved 2009-11-27. 
  10. ^ "Power Cricket To Return To Millennium Stadium In 2003". Chipping Sodbury Cricket Club. http://www.chippingsodburycc.co.uk/cricket-news/power-cricket-to-return,111.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-27. 
  11. ^ "Pertemps sponsors international cricket". Pertemps Ltd. http://www.pertemps.co.uk/content/news0209. Retrieved 2009-11-27. [dead link]
  12. ^ a b "2006 Commonwealth Games venues – Docklands Stadium". 2006-02-28. http://www.abc.net.au/sport/columns/200602/s1580123.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-11. 
  13. ^ International Naming Rights – SportsBusiness Daily | SportsBusiness Journal
  14. ^ "ETIHAD: New Naming Rights Partner". 2008-10-23. http://www.etihadstadium.com.au/news-display/ETIHAD-New-Naming-Rights-Partner/146. Retrieved 2008-10-23. 
  15. ^ Dunn, Mark (2009-06-10). "Naming lights sponsor at MCG?". http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25613331-2862,00.html. Retrieved 2009-06-09. 
  16. ^ Ralph, Jon (2009-02-25). "AFL refuses to acknowledge Etihad Stadium". The Courier Mail. http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,25107632-5016169,00.html. Retrieved 2008-02-25. 
  17. ^ . http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25406445-661,00.html. [dead link][dead link]
  18. ^ "Clubs back boutique stadium". 2009-05-01. http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25411495-5016140,00.html. 
  19. ^ "Surface Tension ends at Telstra Dome". Austadiums.com. 2007-06-24. http://www.austadiums.com/news/news.php?id=319. 
  20. ^ "Turf Experiment for Dome". Australian Football Association of North America. 2006-08-27. http://www.afana.com/drupal/node/223. 
  21. ^ a b Edmund, Sam (2007-08-15). "Turf's up at the Dome". Herald Sun. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22246546-2862,00.html. 
  22. ^ "Dried out grounds bring hard times". The University of Melbourne Voice. 2007-04-30. http://uninews.unimelb.edu.au/articleid_4166.html. 
  23. ^ Critchley, Cheryl (2007-04-11). "Footy fans behind the wire". Herald Sun. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21536146-5000117,00.html. 
  24. ^ About Etihad Stadium – Etihad Stadium
  25. ^ [1][dead link]
  26. ^ Etihad Stadium Crowds (Docklands Stadium) | Austadiums
  27. ^ http://www.a-league.com.au/Scoreboard_HAL/0000430013/scoreboard.html
  28. ^ Australian Stadiums :: Telstra Dome Crowds
  29. ^ Holmesby, Luke (2009-07-05). "Saints edge Cats". Australian Football League. http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/208/newsid/80047/default.aspx. Retrieved 2009-07-06. 
  30. ^ "Melbourne Storm to face Manly in NRL Grand Final". News Ltd (Herald Sun). 2007-09-13. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sport/nrl/story/0,21985,22467010-14823,00.html. Retrieved 2008-06-08. 
  31. ^ "Aussies triumph but at a price?". Hogan Stand. http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=68256. 
Bibliography

Main, Jim (2007). Our Game. Penguin Group. ISBN 978-0-670-07143-2. 


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Docklands Stadium — Etihad Stadium ex Colonial stadium ex Telstar Dome Localización Melbourne …   Wikipedia Español

  • Docklands Stadium — Etihad Stadium Etihad Stadium The Dome, The Phone Dome …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Docklands, Victoria — Docklands Melbourne, Victoria View toward Docklands from high above the Melbourne CBD in 2008. From left to right Batmans Hill Southern Cross Station; Victoria Harbour; Stadium Precinct; N …   Wikipedia

  • Docklands Light Railway — (DLR) Overview Type …   Wikipedia

  • Melbourne Docklands — Infobox Australian Place name = Docklands caption = View of Telstra Dome, Victoria Harbour and New Quay from the Rialto Towers state = vic stategov = Melbourne pop = 3939 (2006) Census 2006 AUS | id = SSC21229 | name = Docklands (State Suburb) |… …   Wikipedia

  • Olympic Park Stadium — Olympic Park, The Graveyard Location Olympic Bvd, Melbourne, Victoria …   Wikipedia

  • Melbourne Rectangular Stadium — AAMI Park redirects here. For the stadium in Adelaide known as AAMI Stadium, see Football Park. AAMI Park AAMI Park …   Wikipedia

  • Princes Park (stadium) — This article is about the football ground. For the park, see Princes Park, Carlton. Visy Park Princes Park in 2007 before its downsizing of its spectator facilities Former names Princes Park (1897 1994) Optus Oval (1994 2006) MC Labo …   Wikipedia

  • Etihad Stadium (Melbourne) — Etihad Stadium Docklands Stadium Innenansicht des Etihad Stadiums bei geschlossenem Dach Daten Ort …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Etihad Stadium — Saltar a navegación, búsqueda Etihad Stadium ex Colonial stadium ex Telstar Dome Localización …   Wikipedia Español

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”