Monday 16 May 2011
The new ground at AFLQ headquarters at Yeronga saw its first action on Saturday on a milestone day for the game in Queensland.
State Association Division 1 clubs Yeronga-South Brisbane and Wynnum test drove the turf after their reserves sides were the ones to christen the ground.
“Fundamentally, everything went well,” said AFLQ facilities and infrastructure manager David O’Leary. “The ground was a little bit soft and spongy, but that is the nature of the beast, and it is only going to get better.”
The January floods set back the first use of the main oval, which is a prospective venue for big games in the future including NEAFL matches at the least.
The second ground is still to be turfed and will provide another option for the State’s high performance teams.
Both have lighting, with Yeronga-South Brisbane training under lights for the first time on Friday night.
There is still work being done around the ground at the main oval, but the handful of spectators on Saturday were able to enjoy the warm autumn sunshine on the grassed embankments.
The ground at Cansdale Street, which borders The Corso, was part of a $6.25 million redevelopment including a new three-storey administration office for AFLQ which opened last September.
Also still known as Leyshon Park, the ground will remain the home of the Yeronga-South Brisbane Devils, who vacated the premises for 12 months to allow for the redevelopment.
The facilities will be used predominantly by AFLQ high performance teams, including the Australia Post Queensland Scorpions Under 18 side.
For the record, the first ever game at the redeveloped ground saw the Yeronga-South Brisbane reserves defeat Wynnum 13.16 to 4.5.
To view a photo gallery of the new ground, please go to www.neafl.com.au
