Feature

Adelaide Oval left an empty feeling

The decision to have the first elimination final at Adelaide Oval, as opposed to Coopers Stadium, denied football fans the chance to experience a truly unique atmosphere.

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The Adelaide Oval, prior to the Reds' semi-final against Brisbane Roar (Lucy Zelic). Source: Lucy Zelic

After Adelaide United's hard-fought 2-1 win over Brisbane Roar to progress to the semi-finals, it was a question many of the fans, including me were left to ponder. Was the Adelaide Oval experiment worth it?

With 20,155 people turning up to the game, the attendance was a far cry from the state record 33,126 that flocked to the same venue for the Reds' Round 2 clash with Melbourne Victory.

Leading up to the semi-final, a strong contingent of Reds supporters, punters and even the club, expressed their discontent over the venue switch. Sadly became the focus during what should have been an exciting time for South Australian football fans.

After the venue was announced, Adelaide United took to social media (picture/s) to explain that it was not 'the club's decision' and that for as much as it disagreed with it, the team needed the support of the fans for such a crucial game.
Earlier in the week, Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive David Gallop said, "this is football's opportunity to take the main stage in Adelaide. It's our version of the Showdown with Adelaide United taking on the reigning champions Brisbane Roar.''

That's all well and good except that the stage he is referring to, is by and large an AFL and cricket purpose-built stadium, irrespective of the $535 million it cost to re-develop it.

As for the reigning champion's 'showdown' , Roar recorded a disappointing season by finishing seventh and was only eligible to play in the finals series because of the Perth Glory salary cap debacle.

Hardly a strong selling point.

Weathering the backlash, head of the A-League, Damien de Bohun was forced to defend the switch when he spoke to local Adelaide radio duo, Rowey and Bicks of FIVEaa ahead of the match and simply said "we think it's appropriate that it's played there."

Even after he was grilled about it purely being a financial decision on FFA's part, which he did confess was a factor, de Bohun said, ''we're always listening to the fans very carefully.''

It's difficult to imagine how closely the fans were listened to in this instance, particularly when the feedback was, and has been, overwhelmingly negative from the club it affects and reporters alike.
When I arrived to the ground at 5pm, ahead of the clash, I deliberately sat in one of the bays to try and imagine what it might be like, as a fan, to watch the game from that position.

Having worn glasses for the better part of the last 14 years, my vision is sub-par at the best of times and on this occasion, it didn't help, even with contact lenses, because I could barely see the pitch or even recognise the players strolling across the field.

I felt so removed from the entire field of play, which fans pay good money to be as close to as possible to ensure they experience the true glory of a live sporting event.

Even from our sideline position, I felt a sizable distance and there were at least fifteen meters between where we were stationed and the first row of stadium seats.

Ordinarily, I watch the game live at the ground and only refer to our designated broadcast television for the benefit of replays. Last night, I watched the entire match on the screen with a couple of wayward glances in the direction of the pitch, here and there.

A few minutes before kick-off, I spoke to a handful of Adelaide fans who offered mixed reviews when I asked them how they felt about the venue change.

"Home is home. Of course we would have preferred it at Hindmarsh but I don't care where the boys are, as long as they get three points." said one, positively.

Another said: "Nobody wants it here, that much is clear. You work so hard to get a home final only to end up playing at a different stadium. Hindmarsh is our home, it's the players' home. If they don't get well over 20,000 here tonight then it should be regarded as a failure."

David Hards, the founder of  weighed in on the subject writing: "When it was announced the Adelaide Oval would host the Friday night clash between Adelaide and Brisbane it confirmed those that run football in Australia are so detached from the game and have little regard for the fans of the sport."

With all of this in mind, De Bohun was adamant and decisive in his response that the change of venue was designed to make sure 'as many fans as possible' could get to the games' and that 'most importantly, it's about the fans.'

A little over three thousand more people were given the chance to witness the match last night of which, we can't take away their enjoyment at being able to cheer on their team.

However, the opportunity to pack-out Coopers Stadium and create an atmosphere worthy of a finals series was lost.

When asked about what crowd figure he would be happy with by Rowey and Bicks, De Bohun said, 'from our perspective, we think the mid-twenties would be a really good result.'

While the figure didn't quite crack the mid-twenties target, those at FFA would have breathed a collective sigh of relief that they surpassed the stadium capacity of Coopers, which is 17,000.

De Bohun made the assertion that in considering the switch, FFA hoped that "many, many new fans would come to the game", given that it had reached 'mainstream' status.

To the neutrals or even 'fringe' fans, surely the best advertisement for the game is a stadium filled to the brim with an atmosphere that only football crowds can deliver?

My message in the aftermath of last night's game is this - we all want football to do well in Australia, of that there is no question or doubt. It has come on in leaps and bounds since the A-League's inception in 2005 and it deserves the recognition.

However, don't do it at the expense of the core fans who have been here since day one, in favour of appealing to a handful of people looking to do something 'different' on a Friday night.

When I was on the phone the other day to my great colleague and a man I have an enormous amount of admiration and respect for, Craig Foster, he gave me this valuable piece of advice.

"Whatever you do, make sure that your aim is always in the best interests of the game. That way, you can never be questioned."

Hear, hear.


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7 min read
Published 2 May 2015 4:30pm
By Lucy Zelic

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