LIKE many others in the community, I’ve been critical of how the $45 million Mildura Sporting Precinct project has been handled by Mildura Council, and the lack of crucial early consultation with key stakeholders.
Many of the fundamentals have been missed in the first stage of the project, including no seating at the premier oval.
And don’t get me started on the indoor stadium and the so-called basketball showcourt, which resembles nothing like a top-class showpiece court without the proper seating on both sides.
Anyway, I’m leaving that all aside for now.
Today, I’m going for the underdog. In this case, the South Mildura Bulldogs.
I want the first acid test of how the MSP holds up under the weight of a couple of thousand people during the day to go well.
This doesn’t mean I’ve suddenly developed a soft spot for the council.
I want to see today go as smoothly as possible for the under-Dogs’ many hard-working volunteers who have put in countless hours preparing for the venue’s historic first game-day.
South Mildura Sporting Club has made a bold move to the site and is reaching for the stars. They want to be the biggest sporting club in north-west Victoria. I wish them well in their quest.
We all should have that mentality in life: Striving to be the best we can possibly be.
On Thursday night at Dogs’ training, club president Kevin Burke conceded there were concerns about how the logistical side of today’s maiden operation would go.
He fears there will be traffic problems with hundreds of car movements in and out of MSP from Deakin Avenue.
Also, the canteen could possibly run out of food and, heaven forbid, the makeshift bar adjacent to the indoor stadium may run dry during the night.
But, as he shrugs his shoulders, all Burke asks for on all fronts is punters’ patience.
There’ll be parking around the ground for about 100 cars, he says, so it’s best that if you’re coming along, please bring a folded seat in case you miss out on a groundside spot.
I’ll be doing just that as I cover the game for Sunraysia Daily.
May the best team win on the field tonight.
But as far as the off-field action goes, I want the Dogs’ volunteers to have a ‘winning’ day as they battle the many logistical challenges.
I just hope they take a few minutes out of their busy day to soak up the historic occasion.GIVE THE UMPS A BREAK
The new 50-metre umpire dissent rule is causing plenty of stir.
However, this is another situation where we have to spare a thought for the underdog. In this case, the umpires.
I’ve sat groundside at Henshilwood Oval and George Gordon Oval during the SFNL’s opening split round and seen the players’ frustration when they have been marched 50 for a simple, arms in the air questioning of the ump’s call.
To their credit, the players that I saw never spat the dummy. They had a look of exasperation and just followed the ump back.
The worst of it, though, came from some of the fans around me.
At Henshilwood Oval, during the Irymple-South Mildura clash, a spectator had a crack at an umpire about a decision against the home team.
However, to the ump’s credit, he calmly explained the reason for his decision as the player walked back to take a set shot for goal.
The new rule is not ideal. But I respect it in the current environment where the umpire ranks are on the decline.
Passions will always run high during a footy game, but it’s time to show greater respect for the umps. We need them.
