VFL/AFL games have been played at close to 50 different venues across Australia (and a few spots overseas). More than 3000 matches have been played at the MCG but locations such as North Hobart and Blacktown also have the distinction. This weekend Norwood Oval and Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills are added to the list
By Roger Vaughan and Steve Larkin
The Brick Wall and the Dead Pocket are about to have their cameos as the AFL goes deep into the game’s suburban and country roots.
Just as Moorabbin’s Animal Enclosure and Whitten Oval’s Doug Hawkins Wing were landmarks when the old VFL was all about Melbourne suburban venues, Gather Round will introduce Norwood Oval and Mount Barker to the national competition.
Norwood, a classic inner-suburban local footy ground dating back to 1901, will host Fremantle v Gold Coast on Friday afternoon and GWS v Hawthorn on Sunday.
The Fremantle Dockers put the Norwood turf to the test.Credit: AFL Photos / Getty Images
North Melbourne and Brisbane will be in the Adelaide Hills for the Saturday afternoon match at Mount Barker, which was opened two years ago.
Norwood is a throwback to standing on terraces and cramped change rooms, while all that will be missing in terms of country atmosphere at the Mount Barker Summit Sport and Recreation Park will be the parked cars ringing the boundary fence.
“I’m really excited … it’s amazing. There’s a real hype around Adelaide,” AFL competition manager Laura Kane said.
“We had lots of options, SA is a tremendous football state with some amazing grounds.
“We landed on these two – one showcases a metropolitan, suburban football experience that is so important to people through the SANFL.
“Then we have a venue that showcases a different part of SA, the Adelaide Hills. Mount Barker was perfect for that.”
Norwood Oval is also known The Parade, after the road that runs alongside the venue.
It’s home to the Norwood Football Club – the Redlegs – one of the top local clubs and the defending SANFL premiers.
Norwood alumni such as two-time premiership coach Neil Balme (1982, ’84) and two-time premiership player James Aish (2012, ’13) are rapt that the ground responsible for some of their best football memories is now an AFL venue.
“It was Norwood footy club – it’s ours. We loved it … it had a good sense of who you were,” Balme said.
“There’s a great personality about the place, in terms of footy.”
A key feature of Norwood Oval is the brick wall that runs along the city wing grandstand, very close to the boundary line.
More than one player has had a close encounter with that wall.
“It was quite imposing when you played, because it was very close to the line,” Balme remembered with a laugh.
But Kane was adamant when asked if the AFL has any concerns about this feature.
“I’m not nervous – we only play football at venues that are safe,” she said.
Likewise, Kangaroos and Lions players are being warned about Mount Barker’s Dead Pocket.
Apparently, when kicking for goal at the end featuring Mount Barker in the background, always aim left – the wind will push the ball right.
“Uphill” – down the other end of the ground – is the scoring end.
It’s taken four months of planning – and seven versions of plans – to bring Mount Barker up to AFL standard.
Temporary infrastructure from Adelaide’s V8 Supercars venue has been brought in as part of the project.
Norwood is a long-time SANFL and AFLW venue, but it also needed upgrades and a solid month of preparation.
Kane dismisses talk that Norwood’s lighting will not be up to scratch, saying it has been developed to AFL and broadcast levels.
Adelaide’s famous Norwood Oval.Credit: Getty Images
When Aish lines up for Fremantle on Friday, he will feel truly at home.
His Dad Andrew is a Norwood premiership player. His uncle Michael is a Magarey medallist, also a premiership player and a Redlegs icon. Grandad Peter, who died two years ago, also captained the club.
“When I was 14, 15, I would be up in the stands kicking the ball around and I would just try to be here as much as possible because they were my idols growing up,” Aish said.
“It’s those little things along the way and then being lucky enough to win a few premierships and come back to here to celebrate as well.”
But Aish and Balme warn that The Parade is not an expansive ground. “There won’t be much space – you’ll want to be clean and strong and know what you’re doing,” Balme said.
And keep one eye out for that wall.
AAP
