• Enemies under the same roof
• The redeveloped Adelaide Oval in pictures
THE AFL returns to the newly upgraded Adelaide Oval this weekend, with Port Adelaide hosting the Adelaide Crows. Here are some facts about the historic venue.
In 1911 the second Australian Football Council Carnival was played at the ground and won by South Australia. Also competing were teams from the VFL and the VFA, Western Australia, Tasmania and New South Wales.
The famous scoreboard, designed by architect Kenneth Milne, was first used in 1912. It, the surrounding mound and the Moreton Bay figs are heritage-listed.
The biggest football crowd at Adelaide Oval was 62,543 for the 1965 SANFL Grand Final.
David Bowie was the first major international star to feature at the ground when he performed there in 1978.
Lights were constructed and first used in 1997 for international cricket.
Three SANFL clubs – Sturt, South Adelaide and West Adelaide – were formerly tenant clubs at the ground. Sturt was the last to vacate, playing its last home game there in 1998.
Port Adelaide, with 23, has the most SANFL premierships won at Adelaide Oval. Norwood is next with 22.
Port Adelaide defeated Melbourne by eight points in the final round of 2011 in the only AFL match to be played at the venue. Justin Westhoff kicked four goals for the Power in a match watched by 29,340 people.
The dimensions of the ground for football will be 167x124 metres.
The South Australian football identities honoured on the new eastern stand are Gavin Wanganeen, Mark Ricciuto, Max Basheer, Fos Williams and Jack Oatey.
The ground’s capacity is about 50,000, with a further 3500 in standing room. In concert configuration, the ground can hold up to 61,000 people.
There are five replay screens, with two on the Southern Plaza, two in the southern pockets and one on the northern mound.
The ground has three television broadcast facilities, 11 radio booths and room for 150 print journalists.
