Queanbeyan Demon

FMD . . . get rid of Viney please. Would we get a a late second rounder for him?

Robbie Flower said that the least said about that year the better.

OPINION Too marvellous to be true Greg Baum The MCG. Wembley. Camp Nou. Lord's. The Maracana. San Siro. Yankee stadium. These are all not the best stadium in the world, as crowned this week at The Stadium Business awards. Adelaide Oval? The SCG? Optus Stadium in Perth? Suncorp in Brisbane, the best football stadium in the world, according to a hyperventilating commentator during state-of-origin this week? As a Melburnian, I have issues with the world-best worthiness of both football and stadium, but that's for another time and a different set of trolls. Anyway, none was even in the final for stadium of the year. Etihad Stadium in Manchester was, and State Farm arena was, and Banc of California stadium. But trumping them all was, drum roll, fanfare, fireworks, Melbourne's own Marvel Stadium. In the "contest" for Global Venue of the Year, it is the first non-American stadium to triumph. There is America, and there is non-America, which Americans pay little attention to, and never visit: parts of non-America don't let you carry guns, you know? Which poses the question: did they visit Marvel, or simply take Disney at their word? Disney, remember, trades wholly in fantasies. To modify a cricket sledge once used against Mark Waugh, Marvel isn't even the best stadium in its neighbourhood. It is not storied, like the MCG. Chris Grant kicked a goal there to beat Essendon in its debut year, but since ... nup, nothing comes to mind. It doesn't have an affectionate diminutive, like the "G". It doesn't have affection. It doesn't ever have a name long enough to become a diminutive. It keeps changing names, like it's on the run. In America, as distinct from non-America, this is a plus. The citation says that one of Marvel's "achievements" this year was to change names, again. But it's hard to be the best stadium in the world with an identity crisis. The ABC, bless it, continues to call it by its generic name, Docklands. The federal police can tell you more. When Disney is done with draining away what little character the stadium has, and decamps - which it will - perhaps we should consider whatever is one of the indigenous words for "meeting of the dry creek beds". Marvel, belying its for-now name, lacks atmosphere, not to be confused with climate control. Yes, it has a roof, but so does Rod Laver arena, and Chadstone, also my outdoor dunny. It is not new and state-of-the-art, like Perth's new stadium, which we will advisedly call Optus, because soon enough it won't be. Marvel is not distinctive, like the brilliantly redeveloped Adelaide Oval. In fact, it is not clear how The Stadium Business distinguishes between modern stadiums at all. Inside, they are all the same. It's why the several clubs who call Marvel home have to in turn put up temporary signs that say "home". To an extent, that is unavoidable: how much can you do with an arena and a grandstand without going all look-at-moi? But it means Marvel, at best, can only be equal best with about 300 others. Marvel isn't even itself, as per its original specifications 20 years ago. Where's the flashing exterior lighting that is synced to goals, for instance. Actually, I don't care. And where are the retractable seats? They're permanently retracted, like the junk under your house that you are always going to sort out and never do. Marvel's food and drink is E grade. Actually, it might have improved in the last 10 years, but a vow is a vow. There isn't even a debate about this, like there always is about the Hall of Fame. It's not a matter of the case for and against Marvel as world's best. Marvel is to great stadiums as Israel Folau is the AFL Hall of Fame. It's the world's best stadium the way Greg Hunt was once the world's best environment minister. Marvel's surface is so hard it hurts, and grass doesn't grow there. If it did, you can be sure Marvel management would sell tickets to watch it. Otherwise, it's Carlton. As a football ground, Marvel is adequate at best. As a cricket ground, it pales beside the MCG. As a soccer ground, it's not. But it's OK for trick motor cyclists, Andre Rieu and Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran was what got it over the line this year, apparently. And yet Marvel's superhero management this week served up to sports savvy Melbourne this best-of-the-best fairy tale, as news, to be swallowed whole. You have to wonder what they take us for. It's as if they've renamed the place For Fools Stadium. That is, FFS!

you can't see the game . . . FMD.

MARVEL STADIUM BECOMES FIRST AUSTRALIAN VENUE AWARDED GLOBAL VENUE OF THE YEAR Marvel Stadium has won Global Venue of the Year at this year’s TheStadiumBusiness Awards, the venue industry’s most respected awards program. This is the first time an Australian venue has been named Venue of the Year, with the award dominated by the USA in the last four years, with Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, and MetLife Stadium in New Jersey previously taking out the title. Held at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, UK, TheStadiumBusiness Awards celebrate the most innovative and leading sports facilities from around the world. Renowned for the diverse mix of world-class events held at the stadium across sport, music and entertainment, Marvel Stadium has been recognised for its outstanding achievements throughout 2018. Across the year, the stadium celebrated its 18th birthday, while also welcoming over two million patrons through the turnstiles, including the stadium’s 40-millionth visitor. Its annual calendar saw Marvel Stadium transform itself to host AFL, A-League and BBL matches, alongside world-class, large-scale concerts by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran, with the latter ranking second in the world for ticket revenue at $US20.8 million. With over 55 on-field events held throughout the calendar year, Marvel Stadium was just as busy off-field hosting over 400 weekday events and conferences in 2018 making use of the 15 dedicated function spaces available inside the venue. Notably, last year saw the announcement of a world first naming rights partnership with the largest entertainment company on the planet, The Walt Disney Company ANZ. This partnership has enabled the stadium to take a new direction of fan engagement while continuing to deliver brilliant events and memorable fan moments. Marvel Stadium continues to be a world-leader in 2019 with it hosting the Southern Hemisphere’s biggest basketball event. In August, the stadium will welcome the USA basketball team and the Australian Boomers for two matches with a crowd anticipated to be the biggest either team has ever played in front of. Ian Nuttall, founder of TheStadiumBusiness, says that the awards put Marvel Stadium in a league of its own, commenting "TheStadiumBusiness Awards are about recognising leadership, innovation, and achievement in the delivery, operation, and management of sports and entertainment facilities globally. “Since 2010 we have given awards to some of the top venues from around the world and this year is no exception." Receiving the award on the night on behalf of Marvel Stadium, was the venue’s Chief Executive Michael Green, who advised "it’s an honour for Marvel Stadium and our team to be recognised on the world stage. “We work hard to make sure that our fans have a great experience at the stadium, and our talented team go above and beyond week in, week out to keep everything running smoothly. “Often we only have a short period of time to transform the stadium for an event, for example last year after Ed Sheeran we only had 9 days to get ready before the first game of the AFL season. “Since our opening in 2000, we have been committed to delivering brilliant events and creating memorable experience for our millions of patrons, and 2018 was no exception." Senior Vice President & Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company, ANZ, Kylie Watson-Wheeler added “I’m really proud of the Marvel Stadium partnership, one that takes sponsorship and experiences to a whole new level. "Marvel is known for epic storytelling and this collaboration, the first of its kind in the world, allows Australian Marvel fans to immerse themselves in Marvel stories and characters. Dynamic elements such as Thor’s hammer, interactive screens, Spider-Man climbing wall and art installations combine to create special moments alongside compelling sports and entertainment.” The award winners were announced at TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2019 Gala Evening on Tuesday, 4th June in Manchester, UK with Marvel Stadium nominated alongside other outstanding international venues including State Farm Arena, USA, Etihad Stadium, UK and Banc of California Stadium, USA.

Out the back for a good thrashing.

Blues have even more dumber footballers than us. FMD.

Hore = works all day.

Very sane comment.

Would cut it up at De La Salle . . . that's about it unfortunately. We've simply run out of players and he's 35th in line.

You're not alone CB . . . any Hore's are going to be difficult to assess without first had observation.

ATV0 . . . 1976 . . . Prahran verses Dandenong.

We'll be walloped.

Bang . . . nailed it. The VFL/AFL have been &^*#ing us for the best part of 50 years. We've been too incompetent, too slow or too poor (pick whatever justification you like) to see what's going on. Kevin Sheedy (who hates us BTW) nailed it 23 years ago when we were debating the merger with the Dorks. . . McAvaney: Kevin, what would you do if you were running Melbourne? Sheedy: Eyeball the members (both MFC and MCC) and get them to put their hand in their pockets. McAvaney: They (the Melbourne board at the time) said they've done that. Sheedy: Well they didn't eyeball them hard enough did they! Does not get more true, simpler or accurate than that.

Well . . . that pretty much describes half the list . . . including both captains.

Out Omac . . . in one of TGR, Hemmingway, Picket Fence, Me or my 90 year old father.

Indeed it does.

not sure how the stats disprove my assessment actually.

yeah . . . let's get a big, slow, one dimensional big man that runs to the wrong spots. Need one of them desperately.

I was deliberate in my use of the word 'currently' MB.

I'm amazed that many think Hawthug is somehow the measuring stick for what we should do in 2019 for an attack on the flag in 2020. That is the club we towelled up six months ago and consequently went out in straight sets, didn't make the finals in 2017 and went out in straight sets again in 2016. So they haven't won a final in three years . . . the same time they have taken money ball to a whole new level. (And for what it's worth . . . won't win a final in 2019 IMHO.) Anyone who thinks the Dorks currently have it sussed is living in an alternative reality (shoot . . . I realised I'm writing this on Demonland . . . the home of alternative reality).

If fans are looking for a scapegoat, pointing the finger at Maaca is not the answer. From personal experience, the bloke is as straight as a schoolboy at Christmas. If the players are after him, it's because he's delivered a few home truths.

Has anyone taken the time to speak to an official at Tallarook? They might just have a light cold.

Serves us right for signing this mob up to a sponsorship! The marketers talk about 'synergies' between the parties . . . well Jaguar's reliability and Melbourne's game plan are totally synergistic.

I 'spose my point is BAMF, there is absolutely nothing in the data which suggests he's in decline. Yes, he's 32. But he's a sensational athlete and been a superstar. His decline is likely to be gradual rather than sudden would be my guess.