Ryder Oval is currently configured for use as a soccer ground - but teams that play at the other ovals often use it for warmups and I am sure that will be the case at the IC as well. There is limited cover at these grounds but the AFL plans to put a number of marquees along the boundaries which should be interesting. Quite often corporate footy days where different firms play are held at these grounds and they all have their own marquees around the boundaries.

For the most part the grounds are usually in good condition - but they all have large turf wicket areas which can be either quite hard when dry or very sticky if we get a wet winter (which Melbourne needs quite badly). There is a reasonable amount of free parking around the grounds - but that may depend on whether they allow vehicles in for the event of not. The facilities in terms of the change rooms and umpires rooms etc. are very good and have just been completely rebuilt around 2 years ago.

In addition to tram access being close you can also get trains from the city to quite close to the ground as well (the train stop for the zoo).

It would be good to incorporate food into this event - international food festivals, where different countries sell traditional foods, are often quite popular. If local expats / migrant communities involved in restaurants etc were involved in the event, with stalls near the grounds, there would be even more people drawn to the event. There's still time for such things to be organised.

However, again, being on a weekday detracts from the likely success of such a link in. But I think it's worthwhile exploring. Perhaps local schools could be invited to make half-day excursions for the football, food and culture.

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Brett Northey - Co-founder and Chief Editor of WFN