How MCG pulled off Bledisloe ‘miracle’ transformation
Before the final siren sounded on the Collingwood-Carlton blockbuster workers were getting the ‘G ready for the Bledisloe Cup clash before switching straight back for the Richmond-Melbourne game.
IN the space of about 33 hours this weekend, Australia’s greatest sports stadium has gone from AFL ground to rugby pitch and back again.
Even before the final siren sounded on Friday night’s Collingwood-Carlton blockbuster, moves were afoot to transform the MCG from a footy colosseum to Bledisloe Cup venue.
A dedicated team of workers, technicians and officials planned in minute detail how to swap AFL goal sticks for rugby posts, change markings on the hallowed turf and update signs around the stadium.
The same thing happened as the second half drew to a close in Saturday night’s Wallabies-All Blacks clash.
Commentators were still doing live crosses from the winner’s and losers rooms as a merry band of miracle workers turned the “G” back into the home of football in time for Sunday’s Richmond-Melbourne match.
Melbourne Cricket Club venue and event services general manager Josh Eltringham said “it takes a tremendous effort from our arena’s team to change the ground from an AFL playing arena to a rugby pitch within a short time frame’’.
“The first step is changing the visual markings and logos on the field – these are washed out and painted over with green paint which can take several hours,’’ he said.
“Followed by around 240m of LED signage having to be put in place to form the rectangular rugby pitch.’’
By Saturday morning, rugby posts had replaced AFL goals.
Eagle eyed fans that night may have noticed the pitch marked with gold paint instead of the regular white markings seen for AFL matches – a special touch for Wallabies’ home Bledisloe matches.
By the time Tigers and Dees players break through their banners on Sunday, a combined 24 posts will have been moved in and out of the ground this weekend.
“When you break it down by time – there’s 18 hours between the transition from the end of Friday night’s AFL match to gates opening for Bledisloe Cup on Saturday,’’ Mr Eltringham said.
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“With an even shorter turnaround from the end of Saturday’s night’s match to gates opening for Sunday’s game between Richmond and Melbourne of just 15 hours.’’
About 2000 customer service staff will working across the whole weekend, with fans expected to consume 57,000 buckets of hot chips and 25,000 pies.
“We can’t wait to see huge numbers come through the gates in what will be a very memorable weekend at the ‘G,’’ he said.
Originally published as How MCG pulled off Bledisloe ‘miracle’ transformation
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