TOPIC:

Subiaco Oval

It's no longer a WAFL ground....

John Dunn at Kelmscott is good. Have Perth played there since 1996? I do remember talk about the possible relocation to Kelmscott back then, but couldn't see why the Demons would want to leave lathlain.

Mike.

Gilbert Fraser Reserve
Robinson Reserve
Floreat Oval

Beasley Hutton wrote:

Sacko wrote: John Dunn in Kelmscott is a beauty as well

Yeah mate I agree ..I actually made it my number 1 ground outside of the WAFL oval's.

Haha sorry mate, should have read all the posts

Demons Forever wrote: PN I had the pleasure of playing both football & cricket at Gil Fraser.

The old grandstand is just a treasure.

When I played cricket their the turf wicket was sensational. Nice and flat, I actually made some runs on it.

That's a long time ago.

Yep that must of been a while back DF, i can only ever remember an astro turf pitch covered over with yellow sand.

Yes it would be mid seventies I reckon.

It's a shame the old turf wickets are unaffordable now.

I can remember turf wickets at Perth Oval and even Lathlain had them I think before PCC moved to Fletcher. They used to get boggy.

Bit like like lawn tennis courts. The only surface to play on IMHO.

Geez I feel old.

Swandog wrote:

Chopper wrote: Being an old Freo Sunday league boy I can't go past North Freo (Gill Frasier)

That old stand,the history,a big crowd,the odd scuffle - still get's me blood boiling (Whippy,Chooky,Kenny,Frank,Harpo,TC,Stan Omodei and the Rose Hotel - Shit they were good days !!!)

Recovery sessions at the Rose then was it? haha You must have some ripper stories about those times!

Yep there was a bit of that - The publican there (Stan) kept our club going financially for years (bless his heart) and in the end we ended up having enough money but struggled for players as Sunday footy died a slow death.

Also agree in the Baldivis Oval at Settlers Hills being up there. For a new ground they realy did a top job and it reminds me a bit of the old North Freo Oval.

Chopper, I was around when North Freo folded, the reason being was that a lot of the committee and senior players became dockers members when that club started up.
Demons Forever, played on the turf pitch there as well and it was dynamite when the water table was up high. Never stopped for rain, unless a prolonged downpour, and as we didn’t cover pitches in those days the clever bowlers would try to follow thru on the pitch a bit more centre to create divots on a good length. Good wicket though as you would come back next week and it would be perfect.
The ground itself was never much chop cause of the prementioned water table creating lush growth on a boggy surface for about two thirds of the year.
Seem to remember that the club had stockpiled the Victorian clay used in those days but sold it off to a country cricket club when they put in turf!

Fortunately never got caught on a sticky wicket always stinking hot for me.

Nice sea breeze though.

Also played Fremantle Ex-scholars against NF.

Robinson Reserve ,Used to climb thru a hole in the fence with my brother to watch Ossie Park in the Sunday League in the 70s. Some good footy played on that ground over the years!

Ambience.
Gil Fraser, Gosnells, City Beach, Cross Park.

Spectator atmosphere: ease of parking, crowd factor, covered seating.
Medina Oval, Gosnells, Thornlie, Shirley Strickland.

Facilities: bar, drinking area, canteen, clubrooms.
Millington, Wanneroo showgrounds??, Swan Valley, Thornlie.

Oval: surface and conditions.
MacDonald’s, College Park, Ernest Johnson.

Seems the old Sunday competition clubs councils were more proactive in putting in facilities for members and spectators.
Honourable mentions to the “old” James oval, Henderson Park, Des Penman.