In Melbourne for the Collingwood/Carlton Match ... are you?

[peterg]

My first visit to the new G

My first Collingwood / Carlton match

Who's interested?

[Sojourner]

Enjoy the MCG peterg! I had my first trip to the MCG this year also when I got to see Richmond play Brisbane, it is an asbsolutley awesome experience - so different from over here! Cant wait to go back again!

[Dirko]

Lucky man !! I love the G !! I love watching Carlton beat Collingwood there too !!

Enjoy it !

[gadj1976]

No, but I wish I was! You're lucky PeterG, you'll love it. It's not like going to footy park that's for sure. Much much much better having two sets of supporters barracking for their side. It's a great atmosphere with the joint packed out, and the hair will start tingling on your neck as you walk into the place.

Enjoy!

[NO-MERCY]

I'd love to be there to watch Collingwood turn the table on the handbags.

[Voice]

This one will be the first time I haven't been since 07 when Kouta retired. I have pics of Kouta doing his lap of honour.
Brilliant place to watch footy, you'll love the atmosphere.

[nuggety goodness]

I've been to the Dome and that's amazing, especially with the roof closed, but not the MCG, for those of you that have been to both give us the rundown of what the differences are and in your opinion which is better...

[Psyber]

I lived in Melbourne for 10 years and never went nearer the G than South Melbourne/Albert Park, or La Trobe Street in the city.
Adelaide is just so much easier to get around in, in reasonable time.

[Voice]

I've been to the Dome and that's amazing, especially with the roof closed, but not the MCG, for those of you that have been to both give us the rundown of what the differences are and in your opinion which is better...

Been to the Dome with the roof shut and open. When it's open the atmosphere is kind of similar to the G as well as the look, except for the roof, of course. The stands are a reasonably similar set up with the way it's tiered and even though it has just over half the capacity, it doesn't feel like it is that much smaller.
With the roof shut and the stadium full the Dome shades the G for crowd noise although I still prefer 80,000 at the G compared to 45,000 at the Dome.
As soon as you step into the G you feel the history of the place and some of the things that have been acheived there which adds to your football experience, especially the first time you go there.
First time I was at the G was when I was 11 for the SA v VIC state of origin in 89, 93,000 people and we got thumped on a very boggy surface. That was still the biggest crowd noise i've ever heard as 89,000 were all going for the same team.

[gadj1976]

I lived in Melbourne for 10 years and never went nearer the G than South Melbourne/Albert Park, or La Trobe Street in the city.
Adelaide is just so much easier to get around in, in reasonable time.

Why Psyber? I lived in Melbourne (as in West Melbourne and Fitzroy) and never used my car! It's a sensational place to get around, easy as pi$$. Love the place.

[gadj1976]

I've been to the Dome and that's amazing, especially with the roof closed, but not the MCG, for those of you that have been to both give us the rundown of what the differences are and in your opinion which is better...

Major points:

MCG - atmosphere! Cauldron type stadium, just electric.

Dome - much much closer to the action even from up in the top tier. **** cold up top though, take a heavy jacket even with the roof closed!

Others (just to get a complete picture):

Waverly - freezing place on the ground itself, although being in the crowd I didn't mind it. Much like footy park in 15 years time without any reno's.

Optus - best place to view games with less than 20k.

Kardinia Park - excellent place to watch footy, but for the travel.

[dedja]

It's an amazing stadium but the back tiers of those stands is like being in Siberia you're so far away ... and like Everest to get up there.

[Voice]

I've been to the Dome and that's amazing, especially with the roof closed, but not the MCG, for those of you that have been to both give us the rundown of what the differences are and in your opinion which is better...

Major points:

MCG - atmosphere! Cauldron type stadium, just electric.

Dome - much much closer to the action even from up in the top tier. **** cold up top though, take a heavy jacket even with the roof closed!

Others (just to get a complete picture):

Waverly - freezing place on the ground itself, although being in the crowd I didn't mind it. Much like footy park in 15 years time without any reno's.

Optus - best place to view games with less than 20k.

Kardinia Park - excellent place to watch footy, but for the travel.

Went to Waverly as a yougster to watch the Carlton v Crows semi in 93. Wasn't bad, especially in september when there was so many people in there that you couldn't see how ugly the place was. Same style as the old football park aluminium seats, except they were wood
Kardinia Park is the only one of the grounds you mentioned that I haven't been to for a game. Been in there though, just strolled in after a trip down the Great Ocean Road. Can't believe a place as ugly as Geelong can be just up the road from one of the most beautiful places in the world, Torquay and the whole Great Ocean Road.

[peterg]

Well, if that was Tassie, I've done it ...

As for the discussion on this thread, I am most looking forward to being at the cauldron tomorrow night

One of the conditions of entry using my club membership is "subject to capacity". Maybe I should book?!

I have been to the Toilet Bowl and don't like it. I have only been to the G once and have been looking forward to this match since I knew I'd be down here

Pity no one (from the two forums on which I write) will be there ... might have to brave the ferals alone ...

[gadj1976]

Well, if that was Tassie, I've done it ...

As for the discussion on this thread, I am most looking forward to being at the cauldron tomorrow night

One of the conditions of entry using my club membership is "subject to capacity". Maybe I should book?!

I have been to the Toilet Bowl and don't like it. I have only been to the G once and have been looking forward to this match since I knew I'd be down here

Pity no one (from the two forums on which I write) will be there ... might have to brave the ferals alone ...

It won't sell out Pete I wouldn't think. A game in mid July, Friday night... nup. They'll get 85k but I wouldn't think it'd sell out. You should be right.

[dedja]

Went to Waverly as a yougster to watch the Carlton v Crows semi in 93. Wasn't bad, especially in september when there was so many people in there that you couldn't see how ugly the place was. Same style as the old football park aluminium seats, except they were wood

Yep, was at that game too. Got there early, and noticed that lots of cars were parked near the car park gate but hardly any cars parked right up at the ground. So being totally ignorant of the local conditions, I parked the car right up next to the ground.

So after watching Justin Madden bobble his head and kick that goal after 15 bounces and finally the game over, it was time to head back to the car. It was only then (yes, I'm a tad slow) that I realised my horrible mistake. It took an hour just to get out the car park, then the icing on the cake was the run back into Melbourne on the freeway ... at a max of 10km/h because of the the traffic.

Those softcocks who whinge about Footy Park being too far away should have experienced Waverley.

Anyway, back on topic. We were in Melbourne the week before that year when Carlton played Essendon at the G for the first night AFL final. We weren't planning to go but because we were staying within walking distance of the G, decided to go at the last minute. Even though there were 85,000 that night, had no trouble walking in and finding a seat, so I don't think you'll have any trouble tomorrow night.

[gadj1976]

From the Carlton Site:

Members without a reserved seat for this game are advised that seats for this match are selling very well.

The MCC will continue to sell reserved seats on level 4 if the demand is there, this takes away from the general admission seating that would usually be available.

As of Monday morning, and this is subject to change as people continue to purchase, the GA areas are:

Carlton v Collingwood – Friday July 24, 2009
Southern Stand
Q1 – Q6
Ponsford Stand
Q29 – Q30
Q31 rows K-MM
Q32 – Q35
Q36 rows K - MM

If Members only want GA entry for the night then you are advised to check out http://www.mcc.org.au closer to the day or listen out for announcements at the ground for available seating.

We recommend that you purchase a reserved seat to avoid disappointment.

Tickets are on sale now via Ticketek agencies, online http://www.ticketek.com.au or via their call centre 132 849.

[Psyber]

I lived in Melbourne for 10 years and never went nearer the G than South Melbourne/Albert Park, or La Trobe Street in the city. Adelaide is just so much easier to get around in, in reasonable time.

Why Psyber? I lived in Melbourne (as in West Melbourne and Fitzroy) and never used my car! It's a sensational place to get around, easy as pi$$. Love the place.

We rented in Malvern for the first year, but I was very busy getting my business established, and didn't get about much.
Then, having concluded that I couldn't afford to buy a house I was prepared to live in anywhere near the inner city, we moved out to the Dandenong Ranges an hour and a half from the CBD and moved the business to Ferntree Gully. That meant having to use your car and try to park it if you went into the CBD as the public transport took much longer.

I wanted to get into the real estate market to make sure I kept parity with property value inflation, rather than rent - and it paid off when I sold up last year.
My wife's asthma and other lung problems ruled out buying into any of the more industrialised regions...

[Voice]

My first visit to the new G

My first Collingwood / Carlton match

Who's interested?

Think all of us Carlton supporters might have to ban you from ever going again