Jump to content

The Rise and Fall of VFL Park

Demonland
Demonland
in Melbourne Demons

Featured Replies

 

Possibly may have worked if there was a rail line within 30 kms of the place.

And the car parked was sealed so you didn't need a tractor to tow you out.

Tx for posting this.

Also nicknamed Artic park.

And it was.

Edited by leave it to deever

  • Quote
    • Like 4
    • Thanks 1

    Ummm... towards the end this video claims Waverley hosted the only AFL Grand Final outside the MCG in peacetime. I think not!!!  2021 says hello!

  • Quote
    • Clap 2
     
    15 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

    Fond memories of seeing Simon and Garfunkel there.

    I have not so fond memories of nearly breaking my hand there.

    When Bucky got the 15 metre penalty against Jimmy and kicked truly after the siren in the 87 PF, I ran back and smashed what I thought was a tin pipe with my fist. Trouble was it was solid concrete.

  • Quote
    • Sad 1

    19 minutes ago, Redleg said:

    I have not so fond memories of nearly breaking my hand there.

    When Bucky got the 15 metre penalty against Jimmy and kicked truly after the siren in the 87 PF, I ran back and smashed what I thought was a tin pipe with my fist. Trouble was it was solid concrete.

    I hurt just reading that. Ouch.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
     

    Did not mind arctic park. Park down Jacksons road. Only a 10 minute exta walk. What I did hate was the white crow sauce for your pies.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Haha 1

    1 hour ago, gs77 said:

    Ummm... towards the end this video claims Waverley hosted the only AFL Grand Final outside the MCG in peacetime. I think not!!!  2021 says hello!

    1991. Think Angry Anderson and the batmobile. And Lisa Ondeiki's hubby trying not to kill himself laughing.

    (edit: oh. "only" GF. Still, worth it to remember the batmobile.)

    Edited by Mazer Rackham

  • Quote
    • Haha 2
    1 hour ago, Redleg said:

    I ran back and smashed what I thought was a tin pipe with my fist. Trouble was it was solid concrete.

    1 minute ago, dl4e said:

    What I did hate was the white crow sauce for your pies.

    Let's face it, Waverley Park couldn't do anything right.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    26 minutes ago, Mazer Rackham said:

    1991. Think Angry Anderson and the batmobile. And Lisa Ondeiki's hubby trying not to kill himself laughing.

    (edit: oh. "only" GF. Still, worth it to remember the batmobile.)

    Angry Anderson getting poked in his leather-clad backside by the fin on that ridiculous batmobile was hilarious. 

  • Quote
    • Haha 1

    A soulless, windswept kip of a venue. It’s only redeeming feature today is that the housing estate that replaced it has an Ibrox Street. 

  • Quote
    • Haha 2

    Played my one and only halftime Auskick game out here. From memory it was a Hawthorn and Brisbane Lions game. 

    Definitely attended a few games out here. Can't say I have overly found memories of the place compared to the 'G. 

  • Quote
    • Like 1

    31 minutes ago, BLWNBA said:

    Played my one and only halftime Auskick game out here. From memory it was a Hawthorn and Brisbane Lions game. 

    Definitely attended a few games out here. Can't say I have overly found memories of the place compared to the 'G. 

    One fond memory was attending the Night Grand Final we won in the 1980s. Our first piece of silverware since 1964.

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    Many memories seared into the brain from that place. The long long trip out on public transport. Especially as a kid.

    You could never ever find your car in the car park after a game. It took forever to leave once you found it. 

    Went to the first ever World Series Cricket game out there. Me and I believe officially 172 other people including the mate I went with. 

    The '87 Prelim is seared in the memory. Watched the ball in slow motion from the kickout to Buckenara's free kick which Robbie always maintained should never have been paid as the siren went before it got to him. Jimmy walking over the mark and the most heartbreaking moment of my life when Buckenara's kick went through the middle. The only time we were behind in the game was minutes after the final siren. 

    It was unknowingly built in a rain belt so was nearly permanently wet out there when it was dry everywhere else. 

     

  • Quote
    • Clap 1
    4 hours ago, leave it to deever said:

    I hurt just reading that. Ouch.

    That loss hurt more! 

  • Quote
    • Haha 1
    • Sad 1
    3 hours ago, Mazer Rackham said:

    1991. Think Angry Anderson and the batmobile. And Lisa Ondeiki's hubby trying not to kill himself laughing.

    (edit: oh. "only" GF. Still, worth it to remember the batmobile.)

    I have Roy and HG Commentary for the whole afternoon on VHS at home 

    one of the biggest laughs that one

    Angry in the Batmobile. 
    i think that’s when i realised that the AFL was run by complete [censored] 

  • Quote
    • Haha 1

    Went to a few games out there and graced the turf in a VicKick game or two.
    Attended the Lighting Premiership there in '96.

    Traffic, parking and relative isolation gave it an almost lonely feel.
    My major issue was the seating arrangement and the huge space between the boundary line and the fence, made you feel too far away from the action.  This is something that Marvel does quite well, most likely in direct response.

  • Quote
    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    6 minutes ago, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

    My major issue was the seating arrangement and the huge space between the boundary line and the fence, made you feel too far away from the action.  This is something that Marvel does quite well, most likely in direct response.

    I used to like the view at Waverley...

    Also used to park up at the Wheelers Hill Hotel and walk down to the ground.

    A long walk back when you lost but at least there was a pot and parma to be had before heading home..

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    We attended a number of games there including the game where the Wiz I think won goal of the year running from backline to forward line after kicking to Gaz and Gaz hand balling back then kicking the goal against Hawks. Also attended the infamous Prelim in ‘87 which left us shattered. We lived at Knox at the time and quite close. We moved to Diamond Creek the following year and only occasionally ventured out after that, although went out and watched Sandringham win the Granny there in I think 2000 but the facilities were neglected by then. I worked at Colonial/Telstra/Etihad and now Marvel Stadium when I retired from real work and enjoyed my time there, the seating and vision far superior to Arctic Park although took them a long time to get the surface right.

  • Quote
    •  
    6 minutes ago, Neil Crompton said:

    Wasn’t Waverley the site of the Packer cricket circus, and the site of the world’s first drop in wicket? 

    Yes i went to those first WSC Games at Waverley

    Fantastic Games with very small crowds, but it didn’t take long to catch on

  • Quote
    • Like 2
    1 hour ago, Its Time for Another said:

    Many memories seared into the brain from that place.

    The '87 Prelim is seared in the memory. Watched the ball in slow motion from the kickout to Buckenara's free kick which Robbie always maintained should never have been paid as the siren went before it got to him. Jimmy walking over the mark and the most heartbreaking moment of my life when Buckenara's kick went through the middle. The only time we were behind in the game was minutes after the final siren. 

     

     

    Watched from behind the goals as well, knew once our goal was missed or that we did not tie it up that was our opportunity gone.  

    It was like watching a slow motion train wreck.  I could see it all panning out wrong.

  • Quote
    • Sad 1

    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

    Guest
    Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
    Reply to this topic...
    Go to topic listing

    Featured Content

    • REPORT: Richmond

      The fans who turned up to the MCG for Melbourne’s Anzac Day Eve clash against Richmond would have been disappointed if they turned up to see a great spectacle. As much as this was a night for the 71,635 in attendance to commemorate heroes of the nation’s past wars, it was also a time for the Melbourne Football Club to consolidate upon its first win after a horrific start to the 2025 season. On this basis, despite the fact that it was an uninspiring and dour struggle for most of its 100 minutes, the night will be one for the fans to remember. They certainly got value out of the pre match activity honouring those who fought for their country. The MCG and the lights of the city as backdrop was made for nights such as these and, in my view, we received a more inspirational ceremony of Anzac culture than others both here and elsewhere around the country. 

        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • CASEY: Richmond

      The match up of teams competing in our great Aussie game at its second highest level is a rarity for a work day Thursday morning but the blustery conditions that met the players at a windswept Casey Fields was something far more commonplace.They turned the opening stanza between the Casey Demons and a somewhat depleted Richmond VFL into a mess of fumbling unforced errors, spilt marks and wasted opportunities for both sides but they did set up a significant win for the home team which is exactly what transpired on this Anzac Day round opener. Casey opened up strong against the breeze with the first goal to Aidan Johnson, the Tigers quickly responded and the game degenerated into a defensive slog and the teams were level when the first siren sounded.

        • Clap
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 0 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PODCAST: Richmond

      The Demonland Podcast will air LIVE on Monday, 28th April @ 8:00pm. Join Binman, George & I as we analyse the Demons 2nd win for the year against the Tigers.
      Your questions and comments are a huge part of our podcast so please post anything you want to ask or say below and we'll give you a shout out on the show.
      If you would like to leave us a voicemail please call 03 9016 3666 and don't worry no body answers so you don't have to talk to a human.
      Listen LIVE: https://demonland.com/
      Call: 03 9016 3666
      Skype: Demonland31

        • Thanks
      • 22 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • PREGAME: West Coast

      The Demons hit the road in Round 8, heading to Perth to face the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium. With momentum building, the Dees will be aiming for a third straight victory to keep their season revival on course. Who comes in and who goes out?

        • Thanks
      • 214 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • POSTGAME: Richmond

      After five consecutive defeats, the Demons have now notched up back-to-back victories, comfortably accounting for the Tigers in the traditional ANZAC Eve clash. They surged to a commanding 44-point lead early in the final quarter before easing off the pedal, resting skipper Max Gawn and conceding the last four goals of the game to close out a solid 20-point win.

        • Clap
        • Love
        • Thanks
        • Like
      • 294 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland

    • VOTES: Richmond

      Max Gawn leads the Demonland Player of the Year from Jake Bowey with Christian Petracca, Ed Langdon and Clayton Oliver rounding out the Top 5. Your votes for the Demons victory over the Tigers on ANZAC Eve. 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, & 1.

        • Thanks
      • 48 replies
      Demonland
      Demonland
    View All