Leichhardt Oval

[Russell]

There are points for and against Leichhardt Oval, I would suggest it is not all about the grounds.

There are those that want comfort, to be able to park more easily, better and flashier toilets and I guess easier to be able to buy food and beverages.

Then there are the people that want tradition, atmosphere, still able to park reasonably close and can still be able to buy food and beverages.

I am the latter, can't understand parking problems (have never parked further than a ten minute walk in 50 years). As for the other stuff are we going to a football match or a five star restaurant?

We have four games at ANZ for the people who want mod cons and not to get their feet wet and we have LO and CO for the people who want to get close to the game and get some atmosphere. People who want to watch "Live" football.

I would suggest if you are one of the ANZ supporters you may wanti to watch TV at home and keep your little tootsies dry.

 

[Tigerdon]

Listen to Paul Green and Matt Scott. They admitted its tougher coming here and that refs are influenced at Leichhardt. Woods and JT also said it made difference. Leichhardt is an asset for us that can't be measured in dollars. Its measured in wins and the percentages are there to back that statement up.

Matt scott said he actually likes playing here.

Only ever been to LO once and that was like a loser all by myself. Logistically is difficult with a family.

Ps i spent the weekend on the snow at perisher in near perfect conditions….

Good stuff. I spent the day in Leichhardt and will be at Perisher in two weeks for a week. Can't wait.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

|have yet to enjoy a game at the big new stadiums and failed to return to any of them. The old SCG was okay. But have enjoyed every game at Lidcombe, Byron Bay, Jubilee, Brookvale etc.. The trouble is being so far away from the action.
A mate a tradie told me how he went to Gold Coast with $50 but could not afford the sauce on the hot dog that was another thirty or fifty cents. Anywhere else it would have been free.

 

[innsaneink]

How do you measure **that**?

17 years of stats.

41 wins 27 losses.

Over 60% win record. As a club I think we have under a 40% win record overall.

50% gets you into NRL finals last time I checked.

No need tfor me to underline any of that. They are facts.

Maybe we should be playing more games there not less.

Ahahaha :crazy you really believe this BS dont you?
You seem to forget we have won elsewhere during the year which also would contribute to us making the finals should it happen.
You think like a 5 year old sometimes

BS as in facts???

Im the 5 year old yet your your swearing, using smilies and hurling insults.

Ironic.

Wow.
Insults and swearing?

Really?

We're being a tad precious arent we?

…you can provide all the stats from the past that you like...pointless facts are post fillers. Its great we win lots of games at LO, but...
You suggested a win against canberra at LO & that we'd make the finals because of that.
Its why I underlined it for you, yet you still missed it.
All your stats show diddly squat about what may occur in a few weeks, and if we happen to make the semis it wont be because of that one game

 

[Swordy]

Pretty hard to top today as an overall experience. The atmosphere was electric. The crowd went off and road every play. The Tigers had a great win. Leichhardt is one of those special grounds that can generate a great atmosphere, but it is terrible in the wet. But, Homebush in its current set-up is a soulless tomb.

I think we would be mad to leave our suburban grounds until we see what the new Homebush offers. I like the current 4-4-4 split, but could live with 6-3-3 while we wait for Homebush to be redeveloped. Without a substantial cash injection though, Leichhardt and Campbelltowns days are numbered.

I read the other day that the new Inner West Council is (continuing?) with the plans to spend $3-5M? (I can't remember the exact) on Leichhardt for a new scoreboard and to improve the toilet, bar, eating facilities at the back of the hill.

Whats wrong with the scoreboard? It tells the score and i like to see some faces in the vacant holes. You dont get that with the new types.

 

[Knuckles]

Playing there is sending us broke. Is sad but true.

No it's not.

 

[Geo]

The Old Girl will get 4 games again next year….

 

[Abraham]

Great day at Leichhardt. Great atmosphere. Great team performance. Great win against the defending premiers. We are now in the top 8\. We are playing our best footy in years.

Lets start an argument.

 

[Bird is the Word]

Pretty hard to top today as an overall experience. The atmosphere was electric. The crowd went off and road every play. The Tigers had a great win. Leichhardt is one of those special grounds that can generate a great atmosphere, but it is terrible in the wet. But, Homebush in its current set-up is a soulless tomb.

I think we would be mad to leave our suburban grounds until we see what the new Homebush offers. I like the current 4-4-4 split, but could live with 6-3-3 while we wait for Homebush to be redeveloped. Without a substantial cash injection though, Leichhardt and Campbelltowns days are numbered.

I read the other day that the new Inner West Council is (continuing?) with the plans to spend $3-5M? (I can't remember the exact) on Leichhardt for a new scoreboard and to improve the toilet, bar, eating facilities at the back of the hill.

Whats wrong with the scoreboard? It tells the score and i like to see some faces in the vacant holes. You dont get that with the new types.

Agreed. If there is going to be money spent on Leichhardt Oval, the scoreboard is the last thing that needs refurbishment…

 

[dimitri]

The suburban grounds are great for inter-state teams seeing its only the locals that show up.

When we play other Sydney teams, it has to be the bigger venues (exception being Manly whose fans don't travel).

Everyone wins.

 

[innsaneink]

Some 21st century toilets would be more a priority than the Edwardian sewers currently there. The scoreboard is fine

 

[batboy]

Playing there is sending us broke. Is sad but true.

Do you have the figures to back that up?

Obviously I know playing at ANZ is more lucrative for the club.

However If we can win against the Raiders there and get into the finals because of it how do you measure that in dollars?

I was at a formal meeting with WT's staff some time back, I can't remember the exact numbers, (And I don't know if this is still the case - I would assume so…) But the cost of running a game at LO for WT's is ridiculous. Whilst the ground doesn't cost a lot - Everything that has to be bought in is all at our expense: Big screen, Generators, Traffic Control etc, etc....
Then, We have to organise it all - which takes time.
To Break even at LO (At the time) I think we needed about 16k - JUST TO BREAK EVEN!!
Cambo is all taken care of for an all inclusive fee... The problem (Back then) was were weren't getting the numbers at CSS as we were at LO - Not just crowd, But the corporate sales had a lot to do with it.
(Corporate is always sold out at LO, They can't sell enough of it)

All in all, Whilst both grounds are great and have (different) points of merit - They both generally cost us to play at them. Unless we're pulling 18k at LO and 12-14k at Cambo every game - We're going backwards.

I feel the major problem is that our supporters are blessed with choice. They can decide that they're not gonna go to CSS because it's too far away and vice versa. Or not gonna go to ANZ because they can go to CSS 4 times a year or LO.
- The main problems is options.

I honestly believe it effects crowd numbers at all 3 venues - As it creates a segregation mindset.
They can choose to go to less games simply for convenience.

For me, We should play all games at ANZ bar 2 (1 at LO / 1 at CSS) take the money, And less hassle....
- We'd also be a shoe in to sell out the old ground games.
We've had a reasonable run there of late - Plenty of teams have won premierships out of there.
And supporters will learn that to go and support the team - That's where they'll have to do it.

IF Leichhardt and Cambelltown councils believe its so important to them and want us to play exclusively at their venues, The answer is simple.....

Give us the same money!!

 

[Swordy]

Unusual request here….

Will be down in Sydney in a few weeks to catch up with family. Haven't been to Leichhardt in some time. My daughter is a 13yo unabashed WT fan now because its in the blood and thats that. We catch the Broncos and Titans games and most years catch the WT V Panthers down there with family. She has never been to Leichhardt but wants to see what all the fuss is about. Can you wander in there at any times these days or is it always locked? Is there anyone who might know a way of getting in and maybe even looking through the old scoreboard etc. I want her to smell the putrid toilets at the north end and hear the " Peanuts, Peanuts, Sugar coated or in the shell". (I'll do that through the corner of my mouth)...

 

[Telltails]

I love Leichardt Oval and couldn't cars less about the substandard facilities. As a spectacle you are so close to the players you can almost have a chat to them. Rain hail and shine Ive stood on that hill and will continue to do so while ever we play games there.
A little bit of history smack bang in the the middle of the city - hang on to it as long as we can.

 

[Byron_Bay_Fan]

What I don't get is how did the best crowd know when to come for the best game?

 

[galea_11]

Every interview commented on the ground

Nofo kept saying this is the spiritual home ground
Wonder if we ever lost a penalty count there ?

 

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

It's a terrible place to watch rugby league. It's facilities are sub standard and needs $Millions invested in it to have any hope of survival long term. When it rains it is a bogg hole. Unless there is some big dollars invested in upgrades it's days are numbered.

I hear facilities, facilities, facilities every time Leichardt is mentioned, but I'm unclear what exactly we're missing.

I get that it's short on corporate boxes for sponsors whose employees are just here for the free champagne, but from a punter's point of view I can't see what we're missing. It has a footy field. You can see the footy field You don't need overnight accomodation. If the hill's muddy, bring something to sit on. Bring a blanket for the whole family, you can't do that at ANZ.

I get my ute out of Orange Grove Public about half an hour sooner than I can leave P1 at ANZ.

It does badly need new toilets, but that could be solved with a couple of demountable toilet blocks delivered for game day.

The only thing that could improve my experience would be if I was allowed to bring my ute in and watch the game sitting on the tray. Not all of us want a blue plastic seat.

 

[Geo]

It's a terrible place to watch rugby league. It's facilities are sub standard and needs $Millions invested in it to have any hope of survival long term. When it rains it is a bogg hole. Unless there is some big dollars invested in upgrades it's days are numbered.

I hear facilities, facilities, facilities every time Leichardt is mentioned, but I'm **unclear what exactly we're missing.**

I get that it's short on corporate boxes for sponsors whose employees are just here for the free champagne, but from a punter's point of view I can't see what we're missing. It has a footy field. You can see the footy field You don't need overnight accomodation. If the hill's muddy, bring something to sit on. Bring a blanket for the whole family, you can't do that at ANZ.

I get my ute out of Orange Grove Public about half an hour sooner than I can leave P1 at ANZ.

It does badly need new toilets, but that could be solved with a couple of demountable toilet blocks delivered for game day.

The only thing that could improve my experience would be if I was allowed to bring my ute in and watch the game sitting on the tray. Not all of us want a blue plastic seat.

Soap…

 

[simonthetigerrrr]

Honestly still beaming after yesterday. Love going to the old lady and didn't it deliver. .
\
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We booed, cheered, beered, bantered and cheered all day. Just bloody brilliant and we'll done everyone who went and got into the fun of it.

Awesome!

 

[Yossarian]

What? Why would anyone want to tamper with the Glenn Morrison toilet block? Think of the heritage! Some of those smells are decades old.