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Construction, trivia, references
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location = [[Mulgrave, Victoria|Mulgrave]], [[Melbourne]] |
location = [[Mulgrave, Victoria|Mulgrave]], [[Melbourne]] |
broke_ground = 1959|
broke_ground = 1959|
opened = 1974|
opened = 1970|
closed = 1999|
closed = 1999|
demolished = 2001|
demolished = 2001|
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==The beginning==
==The beginning==
Waverley Park (then VFL Park) was first conceived in [[1959]] when delegates from the 12 [[Victorian Football League|VFL]] Clubs requested the VFL to find land that was suitable for the building of a new stadium. In September [[1962]], the VFL had secured a 212 acre (860,000 m²) block of land at [[Mulgrave, Victoria|Mulgrave]]. This area was chosen because it was believed that with the effects of urban sprawl, and the proposed building of the South-Eastern (or [[Monash Freeway|Monash]]) freeway, the area would become the demographic centre of [[Melbourne]].
Waverley Park (then VFL Park) was first conceived in [[1959]] when delegates from the 12 [[Victorian Football League|VFL]] Clubs requested the VFL to find land that was suitable for the building of a new stadium. In September [[1962]], the VFL had secured a 212 acre (860,000 m²) block of grazing and market garden land at [[Mulgrave, Victoria|Mulgrave]]. This area was chosen because it was believed that with the effects of urban sprawl, and the proposed building of the South-Eastern (or [[Monash Freeway|Monash]]) freeway, the area would become the demographic centre of [[Melbourne]].


The original plans were for a stadium catering for up to 160,000 patrons, which would have made it one of the biggest, if not the biggest, stadium of its time. However, the second stage of construction was never completed and the capacity was set at just over 78,000 patrons.
The original plans were for a stadium catering for up to 160,000 patrons, which would have made it one of the biggest, if not the biggest, stadiums of its time. However, the second stage of construction was never completed and the capacity was set at just over 78,000 patrons.

The ground surface of 200 metres long and 160 metres wide would be the biggest in the League.


==Construction==
==Construction==
Work was started at the site on [[January 5]], [[1966]] when the VFL President [[Sir Kenneth Luke]] turned the first sod. On construction of the stadium, a total of 378,000 cubic yards (289,000 m³) of topsoil was excavated and the surface of the oval was lowered to a depth of ten metres from the surrounding area.
Work was started at the site on [[January 5]], [[1966]] when the VFL President [[Sir Kenneth Luke]] turned the first sod. On construction of the stadium, a total of 378,000 cubic yards (289,000 m³) of topsoil was excavated and the surface of the oval was lowered to a depth of ten metres from the surrounding area. The soil was used to form the banks for some sections of the stadium.


The foundations for the K.G. Luke stand were laid in [[1969]] and more than 20 km of solid concrete terracing was laid around the ground.
The foundations for the K.G. Luke stand were laid in [[1969]] and more than 20 km of solid concrete terracing was laid around the ground.


Finally, on [[April 18]], [[1970]], [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]] and [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] played the first game at Waverley Park. However, the stadium was far from completed. In fact, the only section of the actual grandstand that was built was the first level of the K.G. Luke stand. The rest of the stadium had only been completed on the ground level. The Public Reserve Stands encircling the rest of the stadium were finished at a cost of $4.5 million in [[1974]] and the car parking was extended to fit a total of 25,000 cars. Lighting was added in May [[1977]] at a cost of $1.2 million.
Finally, on [[April 18]], [[1970]], [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]] and [[Geelong Football Club|Geelong]] played the first game at Waverley Park, to a crowd of 25,887. However, the stadium was far from completed. In fact, the only section of the actual grandstand that was built was the first level of the K.G. Luke stand. The rest of the stadium had only been completed on the ground level.


The Public Reserve Stands encircling the rest of the stadium were finished at a cost of $4.5 million in [[1974]] and the car parking was extended to fit a total of 25,000 cars. Lighting was added in May [[1977]] at a cost of $1.2 million for the first of 1977 night series televised matches.
==Trivia==
*Record attendance: 92,935 who saw [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]] versus Hawthorn in [[1981]].
*In 1996, an unexpected [[pitch invasion]] occurred when the lights went out at the stadium in a night game between [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] and St Kilda. The game was stopped and the last quarter was replayed during the same week.


In [[1982]] a video matrix screen was in operation for the first time, displaying instant replay highlights. In [[1984]] the arena was re-turfed and the drainage system upgraded, and two years later a mosaic mural perpetuating many great names of VFL Football was installed on the grandstand facade above the members' entrance. During the [[1988]] season automatic turnstiles were introduced at the members' entrance.
==Special events==
Waverley Park hosted many special events other than Australian rules football. These included:


==Trivia==
*[[Rock concert]]s: [[KISS (band)|KISS]] ([[1980]]), [[David Bowie]] ([[1983]]), [[U2]] ([[1998]]), [[Rod Stewart]]
*The first ever final played at the ground was also the first ever elimination final, played between St. Kilda and [[Essendon Football Club|Essendon]] in [[1972]].
*[[Cricket]]: [[World Series Cricket]] games between [[1977]] and [[1979]]
*During the [[1973]] season, 42,610 attended the first interstate match at the ground and a record 60,072 attended the second semi-final between [[Carlton Football Club|Carlton]] and [[Collingwood Football Club|Collingwood]].
*[[International Rules Football]]: Matches between Australia and Ireland
*A record attendance of 92,935 saw Collingwood versus Hawthorn in [[1981]]. This remained the largest ever crowd at the stadium.
*[[Baseball]]: Home of the [[Waverley/Melbourne Reds|Waverley Reds]]
*In [[1987]] Fitzroy played [[North Melbourne Football Club|North Melbourne]] in the first night match at the stadium for premiership points in the major competition. A total of 183,383 people watch the three finals games at VFL Park and the preliminary final attendance of 71,298 was the largest since 1984. The game was between [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]] and Hawthorn and it has been described as the most epic played at VFL Park.
*In [[1989]] a match was played for premiership points on a Sunday at VFL Park for the first time.
*The ground hosted its first and only [[AFL Grand Final]] in [[1991]], which was contested by Hawthorn and the [[West Coast Eagles]] because the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] was at the time undergoing major renovations. Hawthorn defeated West Coast by 53 points in front of a crowd of 75,230.
*In [[1996]] an unexpected [[pitch invasion]] occurred when the lights went out at the stadium in a night game between Essendon and St Kilda. The game was stopped and the last quarter was replayed during the same week.


==Football Records==
==Football records==
In its life, 732 AFL/VFL matches were played at Waverley Park, 70 of which were finals, and one [[AFL Grand Final]] in [[1991]], which was contested by Hawthorn and the [[West Coast Eagles]] because the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]] was at the time undergoing major renovations.
In its life, 732 AFL/VFL matches were played at Waverley Park, 70 of which were finals and one Grand Final.


*HIGHEST SCORE: [[Fitzroy Football Club|Fitzroy]]: 36.22(238) v [[Melbourne Football Club|Melbourne]]: 6.12 (48) in round 17, 1979
*HIGHEST SCORE: Fitzroy: 36.22(238) v Melbourne: 6.12 (48) in round 17, 1979
*LARGEST CROWD: 92,935, Queens Birthday 1981, Hawthorn v Collingwood
*LARGEST CROWD: 92,935, Queens Birthday 1981, Hawthorn v Collingwood
*MOST GOALS IN A GAME: [[Jason Dunstall]], 17 goals, Round 7, [[1992]]
*MOST GOALS IN A GAME: [[Jason Dunstall]], 17 goals, Round 7, [[1992]]

==Special events==
Waverley Park hosted many special events other than Australian rules football. These included:

*[[Rock concert]]s: [[Rod Stewart]] ([[1979]]), [[KISS (band)|KISS]] ([[1980]]), [[David Bowie]] ([[1983]]), [[U2]] ([[1998]]).
*[[Cricket]]: [[World Series Cricket]] games between [[1977]] and [[1979]].
*[[International Rules Football]]: Matches between [[Australia]] and [[Ireland]].
*[[Baseball]]: Home of the [[Waverley/Melbourne Reds|Waverley Reds]] from [[1989]].


==Current status==
==Current status==
The last AFL match was played at Waverley Park in [[1999]]. The land was subsequently sold to housing developer [[Mirvac]] to assist the [[Australian Football League]] to finance the construction of its new home, the [[Telstra Dome]]. Anticipating complete demolition, the [[National Trust of Victoria]] moved quickly to nominate the members stand on the grounds that the stadium was the first major stadium purpose built for Australian Rules Football and that it hosted the [[1991]] AFL [[Grand Final]]. The heritage stand also features a mural of football legends by artist [[Harold Freedman]].
The last AFL match was played at Waverley Park in [[1999]]. The land was subsequently sold to housing developer [[Mirvac]] to assist the Australian Football League to finance the construction of its new home, the [[Telstra Dome]]. Anticipating complete demolition, the [[National Trust of Victoria]] moved quickly to nominate the members stand on the grounds that the stadium was the first major stadium purpose built for Australian Rules Football and that it hosted the 1991 AFL Grand Final. The heritage stand also features a mural of football legends by artist [[Harold Freedman]].


Successful lobbying saw [[Heritage Victoria]] grant legislative protection, and the entire stadium has now been demolished except for the members stand and the members stand mural. The surrounding parking lot is being replaced by suburban housing. The members stand is visible from the nearby [[Monash Freeway]], with the oval itself and the remaining section of the K.G. Luke stand being redeveloped as a training base for the [[Hawthorn Football Club]].
Successful lobbying saw [[Heritage Victoria]] grant legislative protection, and the entire stadium has now been demolished except for the members stand and the members stand mural. The surrounding parking lot is being replaced by suburban housing. The members stand is visible from the nearby [[Monash Freeway]], with the oval itself and the remaining section of the K.G. Luke stand being redeveloped as a training base for the [[Hawthorn Football Club]].

==References==
* Greg Hobbs, "A Restless Birth," ''AFL Football Record'', Vol 80, No 28, September 28, 1991, pp. 10-11.


==External links==
==External links==

Revision as of 10:55, 24 July 2006

Waverley Park
Waverley
Map
Former namesVFL Park
AFL Park
LocationMulgrave, Melbourne
OwnerMirvac
Victorian Government
OperatorHawthorn Football Club
CapacityFormer:
78,000
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke ground1959
Opened1970
Closed1999
Demolished2001
Construction costUnknown
ArchitectVarious
Tenants
Current:
Hawthorn Hawks, AFL
Former:
Fitzroy Lions, AFL
St Kilda Saints, AFL
Waverley Reds, ABL

Waverley Park (formerly VFL Park and then AFL Park) was an often controversial Australian rules football stadium in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. For most of its history, its purpose was as a neutral venue and used by all Victorian based Victorian Football League/Australian Football League clubs. However, during the 1990s it became the home ground of both the Hawthorn and St Kilda football clubs. It was later replaced by the Telstra Dome.

The beginning

Waverley Park (then VFL Park) was first conceived in 1959 when delegates from the 12 VFL Clubs requested the VFL to find land that was suitable for the building of a new stadium. In September 1962, the VFL had secured a 212 acre (860,000 m²) block of grazing and market garden land at Mulgrave. This area was chosen because it was believed that with the effects of urban sprawl, and the proposed building of the South-Eastern (or Monash) freeway, the area would become the demographic centre of Melbourne.

The original plans were for a stadium catering for up to 160,000 patrons, which would have made it one of the biggest, if not the biggest, stadiums of its time. However, the second stage of construction was never completed and the capacity was set at just over 78,000 patrons.

The ground surface of 200 metres long and 160 metres wide would be the biggest in the League.

Construction

Work was started at the site on January 5, 1966 when the VFL President Sir Kenneth Luke turned the first sod. On construction of the stadium, a total of 378,000 cubic yards (289,000 m³) of topsoil was excavated and the surface of the oval was lowered to a depth of ten metres from the surrounding area. The soil was used to form the banks for some sections of the stadium.

The foundations for the K.G. Luke stand were laid in 1969 and more than 20 km of solid concrete terracing was laid around the ground.

Finally, on April 18, 1970, Fitzroy and Geelong played the first game at Waverley Park, to a crowd of 25,887. However, the stadium was far from completed. In fact, the only section of the actual grandstand that was built was the first level of the K.G. Luke stand. The rest of the stadium had only been completed on the ground level.

The Public Reserve Stands encircling the rest of the stadium were finished at a cost of $4.5 million in 1974 and the car parking was extended to fit a total of 25,000 cars. Lighting was added in May 1977 at a cost of $1.2 million for the first of 1977 night series televised matches.

In 1982 a video matrix screen was in operation for the first time, displaying instant replay highlights. In 1984 the arena was re-turfed and the drainage system upgraded, and two years later a mosaic mural perpetuating many great names of VFL Football was installed on the grandstand facade above the members' entrance. During the 1988 season automatic turnstiles were introduced at the members' entrance.

Trivia

  • The first ever final played at the ground was also the first ever elimination final, played between St. Kilda and Essendon in 1972.
  • During the 1973 season, 42,610 attended the first interstate match at the ground and a record 60,072 attended the second semi-final between Carlton and Collingwood.
  • A record attendance of 92,935 saw Collingwood versus Hawthorn in 1981. This remained the largest ever crowd at the stadium.
  • In 1987 Fitzroy played North Melbourne in the first night match at the stadium for premiership points in the major competition. A total of 183,383 people watch the three finals games at VFL Park and the preliminary final attendance of 71,298 was the largest since 1984. The game was between Melbourne and Hawthorn and it has been described as the most epic played at VFL Park.
  • In 1989 a match was played for premiership points on a Sunday at VFL Park for the first time.
  • The ground hosted its first and only AFL Grand Final in 1991, which was contested by Hawthorn and the West Coast Eagles because the Melbourne Cricket Ground was at the time undergoing major renovations. Hawthorn defeated West Coast by 53 points in front of a crowd of 75,230.
  • In 1996 an unexpected pitch invasion occurred when the lights went out at the stadium in a night game between Essendon and St Kilda. The game was stopped and the last quarter was replayed during the same week.

Football records

In its life, 732 AFL/VFL matches were played at Waverley Park, 70 of which were finals and one Grand Final.

  • HIGHEST SCORE: Fitzroy: 36.22(238) v Melbourne: 6.12 (48) in round 17, 1979
  • LARGEST CROWD: 92,935, Queens Birthday 1981, Hawthorn v Collingwood
  • MOST GOALS IN A GAME: Jason Dunstall, 17 goals, Round 7, 1992

Special events

Waverley Park hosted many special events other than Australian rules football. These included:

Current status

The last AFL match was played at Waverley Park in 1999. The land was subsequently sold to housing developer Mirvac to assist the Australian Football League to finance the construction of its new home, the Telstra Dome. Anticipating complete demolition, the National Trust of Victoria moved quickly to nominate the members stand on the grounds that the stadium was the first major stadium purpose built for Australian Rules Football and that it hosted the 1991 AFL Grand Final. The heritage stand also features a mural of football legends by artist Harold Freedman.

Successful lobbying saw Heritage Victoria grant legislative protection, and the entire stadium has now been demolished except for the members stand and the members stand mural. The surrounding parking lot is being replaced by suburban housing. The members stand is visible from the nearby Monash Freeway, with the oval itself and the remaining section of the K.G. Luke stand being redeveloped as a training base for the Hawthorn Football Club.

References

  • Greg Hobbs, "A Restless Birth," AFL Football Record, Vol 80, No 28, September 28, 1991, pp. 10-11.