aker39
18-08-2008, 01:02 PM
Had a great 10 days on the Gold Coast (apart from 1 night of course).
Stayed at the Chevron Renaissance - http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/mer/6545/fiche_hotel.shtml
The weather was fantastic, hardly a cloud in the sky on any of the days. It was about 20 degrees each day. The locals were saying how cold it was, but compared to the crap weather we've been getting in Melbourne, it was bliss.
Went to watch the NRL game between Gold Coast Titians and Newcastle Knights at Skilled Park at Robina. It was a cold Monday night and they got 17,000 people to their 27,000 seat stadium. Not bad considering the crowds they get at most NRL games. I actually think the AFL may have missed the boat on the Gold Coast. There were a lot of young families at the game, the new A-League team comes in next year (will play at this stadium) and I can't see the Qld government funding a new ground, when they have just built this new stadium. And it was a pretty impressive stadium, very close to the action. It will be perefect for the A-League (can't wait for the new Melbourne stadium to open)
The drive to Brisbane from the Gold Coast was very easy. Took just under the hour, and thanks to a poster on the Brisbane board on BF, I was given very good directions for where to park. It also made getting back to the Gold Coast very easy.
Had a drink at the Chalk hotel before the game, with all of the staff wearing Brisbane shirts. I thought they're really getting behind the team. Then when I got to the ground, I saw a sign saying go to the Chalk Hotel after the game, the official Lions social club. No wonder they were all wearing Brisbane gear.
The GABBA is a good ground, with modern facilities, but my big criticism is the seating. There is no elevation. I struggled to see over the people in front of me, let alone my 6 year old son, who had to keep standing up to see. We were seated with a big bunch of Bulldog supporters, on the 50m line, but had 1 very big mouthed (and drunk) Lions supporter in amongst us. He was lucky not to get hit, as there was some very pissed off bulldog supporters. Bornadog was sitting a bit closer to him, but he restrained himself.
I think the dogs actually blew it in the 1st quarter, where we had so many chances coming inside 50, where we had players loose, and we missed targets, or missed easy shots. The players seem to be confused as to when they should do the team thing, or when they should back themselves and go for goal. Geelong seem to have this perfected (like most things they are doing)
I'm not going to single out players, but the one player that seemed to cop most criticism from supporters on the night, was Farren Ray. His decision making left a lot to be desired was the general theme.
I would recommend anyone considering going to the Gold Coast and then attending a game at the GABBA. Only thing is, don't have an early morning flight the next day, as we did.
And finally, I know Tiger cop a bit a flak, but we could not fault them on either of our flights. There was a number of people turning up late, or with excess luggage, complaining. It's pretty simple, if you want cheap fares, stick to their rules.
Stayed at the Chevron Renaissance - http://www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehotel/gb/mer/6545/fiche_hotel.shtml
The weather was fantastic, hardly a cloud in the sky on any of the days. It was about 20 degrees each day. The locals were saying how cold it was, but compared to the crap weather we've been getting in Melbourne, it was bliss.
Went to watch the NRL game between Gold Coast Titians and Newcastle Knights at Skilled Park at Robina. It was a cold Monday night and they got 17,000 people to their 27,000 seat stadium. Not bad considering the crowds they get at most NRL games. I actually think the AFL may have missed the boat on the Gold Coast. There were a lot of young families at the game, the new A-League team comes in next year (will play at this stadium) and I can't see the Qld government funding a new ground, when they have just built this new stadium. And it was a pretty impressive stadium, very close to the action. It will be perefect for the A-League (can't wait for the new Melbourne stadium to open)
The drive to Brisbane from the Gold Coast was very easy. Took just under the hour, and thanks to a poster on the Brisbane board on BF, I was given very good directions for where to park. It also made getting back to the Gold Coast very easy.
Had a drink at the Chalk hotel before the game, with all of the staff wearing Brisbane shirts. I thought they're really getting behind the team. Then when I got to the ground, I saw a sign saying go to the Chalk Hotel after the game, the official Lions social club. No wonder they were all wearing Brisbane gear.
The GABBA is a good ground, with modern facilities, but my big criticism is the seating. There is no elevation. I struggled to see over the people in front of me, let alone my 6 year old son, who had to keep standing up to see. We were seated with a big bunch of Bulldog supporters, on the 50m line, but had 1 very big mouthed (and drunk) Lions supporter in amongst us. He was lucky not to get hit, as there was some very pissed off bulldog supporters. Bornadog was sitting a bit closer to him, but he restrained himself.
I think the dogs actually blew it in the 1st quarter, where we had so many chances coming inside 50, where we had players loose, and we missed targets, or missed easy shots. The players seem to be confused as to when they should do the team thing, or when they should back themselves and go for goal. Geelong seem to have this perfected (like most things they are doing)
I'm not going to single out players, but the one player that seemed to cop most criticism from supporters on the night, was Farren Ray. His decision making left a lot to be desired was the general theme.
I would recommend anyone considering going to the Gold Coast and then attending a game at the GABBA. Only thing is, don't have an early morning flight the next day, as we did.
And finally, I know Tiger cop a bit a flak, but we could not fault them on either of our flights. There was a number of people turning up late, or with excess luggage, complaining. It's pretty simple, if you want cheap fares, stick to their rules.