The blackout on the Gabba in the course of the Lions’ AFL win over Melbourne has highlighted the significance of the Brisbane floor’s impending improve forward of the 2032 Olympic Video games.
The stadium was plunged into darkness as Brisbane led the Demons by 40 factors within the fourth quarter of their conflict on Friday evening.
Play was delayed for greater than half an hour earlier than lastly getting again underway, with the hosts simply hanging on for an 11-point win in the long run.
It was not the primary time in current reminiscence the Gabba has gone darkish, with related episodes throughout cricket matches in the course of the previous couple of years.
A Massive Bash League sport between the Brisbane Warmth and Sydney Thunder was deserted when the lights went out early within the second innings of the match and couldn’t be revived.
The primary day of the 2021/22 Ashes collection was additionally marred by an influence outage when all of the cameras died on the floor, leaving followers unable to look at the tv protection.
On Friday evening, even when play obtained again underway, the sport was accomplished in relative darkness in comparison with different AFL matches, sparking reminiscences of suburban footy grounds across the nation.
Queensland’s Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure Steven Miles, mentioned it was extra proof the bottom was in dire want of an improve.
Earlier on Friday, the state authorities had been pressured to defend going over finances on the redevelopment, with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk telling the opposition to “cease whinging” about the price.
“That is going to be a unbelievable Video games, a unbelievable legacy,” she mentioned.
Ms Palaszczuk mentioned the stadium was “reaching its finish of life anyway” and was due for an improve whatever the Video games, with the services on the concrete bowl usually coming in for criticism when in comparison with different top-flight cricket venues in Australia.
On Friday night, the premier discovered herself on the different large ticket on the town, the NRL’s Brisbane derby between the Dolphins and Broncos.
There was a full home at Lang Park to look at the Broncos’ 18-12 victory within the first conflict between the cross-town rivals.
Whatever the motive, with extra main occasions coming to Australia and Brisbane specifically in the course of the so-called “inexperienced and gold decade”, these in cost will probably be desirous to keep away from any extra embarrassing incidents.