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Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:48 pm
by Pole
Over lockdown I've been watching a lot of old highlights and games for the Olympic Park days. The "Melbourne" chant was phenomenal when the whole stadium got involved this just doesnt happen to the same degree at AAMI.

Don't get me wrong, AAMI is a fantastic modern venue, and we always need to a better stadium. But I feel the crowd just doesnt get into it like back at the crappy Olympic Park, maybe I'm just being nostaligic.

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 11:39 pm
by Storm Spirit
Pole wrote: Mon Nov 23, 2020 8:48 pm Over lockdown I've been watching a lot of old highlights and games for the Olympic Park days. The "Melbourne" chant was phenomenal when the whole stadium got involved this just doesnt happen to the same degree at AAMI.

Don't get me wrong, AAMI is a fantastic modern venue, and we always need to a better stadium. But I feel the crowd just doesnt get into it like back at the crappy Olympic Park, maybe I'm just being nostaligic.
Olypic Park had that old fashioned football ground feel even though it was an athletics stadium.

Tightly packed seating (blah...Covid19)....gritty atmosphere, those disastrous toilet blocks, kebabs from a van, cans of Tooheys New...all part of the feel and character. I miss the atmosphere......the Storm chant.......the cowbell dominating proceedings......the crowd yelling "Kaaauuuufffuuussssssiii" as one when Antonio made a massive hit up. Ah the memories...

But we needed and deserved a shiny new Stadium to grow the game in Melbourne and attract a whole new base of supporters and Members. Just the way it is I suppose.

But I will NEVER forget the Graveyard.

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:18 pm
by TC
Watching games from the original Marcus Bai Stand. Unbeatable.
(Then back to the old dog betting ring for the after party. Where all the players would wander around and chat to the fans. Plenty of people made lifelong friendships there.)

Don't get me wrong, the facilities were atrocious! But man, what an atmosphere!!

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Tue Nov 24, 2020 7:32 pm
by Bullucked
TC wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 5:18 pm (Then back to the old dog betting ring for the after party. Where all the players would wander around and chat to the fans.)

Don't get me wrong, the facilities were atrocious! But man, what an atmosphere!!
Don't forget the delightful toilets at the Swan St end of the Eastern Stand!
The mud slides kids would make on the grassy back of the grandstand at the Yarra end of the Eastern Stand.
A sea of (smuggled in) stubbies and cans in the terraces.
The smell of smoke wafting over from somewhere behind. (Not a smoker myself but it somehow added to it all)
The gentleman somewhere in the Bai Stand with the English accent who would very loudly call, "Mander yer Tosser". (If anyone knows this gent please give him a shout out)
Players and commentators walking past the general public behind the Western Stand as they were arriving
Opposition teams warming up outside the ground
Food and drink service taking waaay too long
The old school scoreboard at the Yarra end right behind the goal posts with it's little green and red lights (for the life of me I can't remember what these signified)
On occasion mist drifting across the field from the Yarra
Trams out the front and the old car giving cheap(ish) rides down Batman Avenue from Flinders Street
Walking down Batman Avenue with the fans in excited expectation

Just a few recollections, surely somebody can add to this

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 4:23 am
by Scooter
Storm Spirit mentioned the Kaufusi chant. Going back earlier than that. What about the Ru-a chant when Matt Rua ran the ball?

Also remember Bitter Sweet Symphony being played after every game as we left the stadium.

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:36 am
by Pole
Scooter wrote: Wed Nov 25, 2020 4:23 am Also remember Bitter Sweet Symphony being played after every game as we left the stadium.
Was't that when we lost?

Also the lap of honour with Thunderstruck blaring in the back ground for me was always the highlight.

Waiting in line to get un under the Glasshouse.

Who remembers the Baked Potatoes guy who would park himself on the Swan St end of Western Stand?

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 9:38 am
by Storm Spirit
Pole wrote: Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:36 am
Scooter wrote: Wed Nov 25, 2020 4:23 am Also remember Bitter Sweet Symphony being played after every game as we left the stadium.
Was't that when we lost?

Also the lap of honour with Thunderstruck blaring in the back ground for me was always the highlight.

Waiting in line to get un under the Glasshouse.

Who remembers the Baked Potatoes guy who would park himself on the Swan St end of Western Stand?
The corporatisation of food and alcohol at AAMI is a negative. I know why it happens...but it's not for the better imo

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 3:50 pm
by nacho
the atmosphere died as soon as they stopped Storm Man from doing quad bike tricks and riding on 2 wheels with fireworks shooting out of his arse

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 5:32 pm
by RobbieRoss
I love both grounds. As a kid I stood in the outer at suburban VFL games in the 1960s, so the gritty atmosphere at Olympic Park suited me just fine. The kids loved it too ( not the toilets ! ) , especially once we graduated to reserved seats in the western grandstand . We used to be able to park right next to the ground, which was brilliant when the kids were young.

AAMI Park is a fabulous facility , but I think overall I prefer Olympic Park. After all, we are watching NRL , not an Italian opera , so it needs to be a bit grubby I reckon !

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 5:36 pm
by RobbieRoss
nacho wrote: Wed Nov 25, 2020 3:50 pm the atmosphere died as soon as they stopped Storm Man from doing quad bike tricks and riding on 2 wheels with fireworks shooting out of his arse
Agree ! Storm Man was always a star, but the OHS police took the edge off him

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2020 6:30 pm
by TC
Bullucked wrote: Tue Nov 24, 2020 7:32 pm
On occasion mist drifting across the field from the Yarra
The night playing against Norths when the mist rolled in and you couldn't see the other side of the park.
The first game when they had to throw open the gates and a thousand or so people watched the game from the running track.
The short in-goals with artificial turf covering the running track at the corners.

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 8:44 am
by Scooter
Pole wrote: Wed Nov 25, 2020 8:36 am
Scooter wrote: Wed Nov 25, 2020 4:23 am Also remember Bitter Sweet Symphony being played after every game as we left the stadium.
Was't that when we lost?

Also the lap of honour with Thunderstruck blaring in the back ground for me was always the highlight.
Pole you could be right re Bitter Sweet Symphony.

I also remember heading to the social club after the game when the building was located in the car park.

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 10:05 am
by Mattpoet
So many great memories there

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2020 2:09 pm
by Pole
RobbieRoss wrote: Wed Nov 25, 2020 5:32 pm After all, we are watching NRL , not an Italian opera , so it needs to be a bit grubby I reckon !
100% agree!

Re: Olympic Park Better Atmosphere Than AAMI, Change My Mind

Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2020 11:37 am
by Bullucked
Forgot about the Ru-a chant. Can add the ringing Bell every time Steve got the ball.