Adelaide Oval set to give Crows financial boost, says Trigg
Crows 'significantly better' off at Adelaide Oval than AAMI Stadium
ADELAIDE Oval will provide the Crows with a "significantly better" financial return than AAMI Stadium despite some costs being higher than the club would like, Adelaide CEO Steven Trigg says.
The Crows and Port Adelaide's match-day profits at the redeveloped ground have come under the microscope after Fairfax Media reports revealed that the Power only made $35,000 from their home Showdown in round two, even though 50,397 fans attended the game.
The Crows are reportedly still waiting for the profit breakdown from their first home game against the Sydney Swans in round three.
Speaking on the Sunday Footy Show on Channel Nine, Trigg said it was too early to declare whether the Crows would make as much profit as hoped from the new ground.
"Look, it's a little bit early. It's significantly better than it was at AAMI Stadium by far," he said.
"It's a bit early because we're still trying to work out just what the costs are.
"Early indications are that they're a bit higher than we'd want and we're working with the management authority to get them down.
"And it's just a bit early in terms of some of the sales process, but corporate-wise it's flying."
It has been reported the South Australian clubs have ben slugged $18,000 for match-day traffic management outside Adelaide Oval, compared to just $1000 for Melbourne clubs at the MCG.
Despite the profit concerns, Trigg said South Australian football was in good health with record crowds creating a buzz in the state.
"Our attendances are up – albeit on four games – an average of 15,000, so early days it's pretty good," he said.
"For them (Port Adelaide) to have 52,000 people there last night (against Hawthorn) says that South Australian footy has embraced their resurgence, Adelaide Oval (and) the metrics around the state league teams are both going well.
"I think South Australian footy's in good shape at the moment."
Trigg also declared Adelaide had its sights set on making the Thursday night timeslot a regular part of the Crows' season after a successful fixture against Collingwood in round nine.
"We think, although whilst it's a sample of one, Adelaide Oval in the CBD with the atmosphere it creates … I think there’s room for two or three (Thursday night games).
"It can be a marquee timeslot in Adelaide."
"The Collingwood game with 50,000 people was a working day the next day and no school holidays, I think it was a big winner.
"I’ve spoken to the AFL since, the ratings were great and they agree as well, it can work."