AFL 2023: Geelong great Doug Wade weighs in as debate rages over new stand’s naming rights

One of Geelong’s greats has urged decision-makers to honour the club’s players when they name a new $250m stand instead of backing State Government plans for a historical name.

The latest redevelopment of the GMHBA Stadium. Picture: Mark Wilson

Debate is raging over proposals for naming rights to Geelong Football Club’s soon-to-be opened northern stand.

The two-tier 14,000 capacity stand (set to be opened mid-season) will complete the Kardinia Park redevelopment after the Victorian State Government alone has contributed around $250 million.

The area and ground is controlled by the Kardinia Park Stadium Trust, a body that recently requested suggestions from the public for potential names for the new stand (the Trust was unavailable for comment on Friday).

Two early favourites emerged in recently retired captain Joel Selwood and club saviour and former president Frank Costa.

And while those two names have huge public support, a third suggestion with strong Government backing has emerged in the form of Djilang, which is the original Indigenous name for Geelong as used by the Wadawurrung tribe back in the early 1800s.

Geelong goalkicking legend Doug Wade and his original stand before it was demolished.

Doug Wade, the man who has kicked the most goals at the ground (413), would be happy for Costa or Selwood to be recognised in such a way.

“I wouldn’t be in support of Djilang. And I do see a problem with naming it after an individual because you miss so many others. Maybe The Legends works given it encompasses everyone,” said Wade, 81.

Cameron Ling, 41, captained Geelong to the 2011 AFL Premiership and was part of a player collective that pushed for one stand to be named The Players.

“I think individuals can and should be recognised within the stands but for the actual stand I prefer a more selfless approach,” Ling said.

The latest redevelopment at GMHBA Stadium is making rapid progress. Picture: Mark Wilson

JON ANDERSON CHATS TO CATS LEGEND DOUG WADE

When it to comes to Geelong and stands, legendary full forward Doug Wade is better placed than anyone to comment on potential naming rights.

Wade, 81, who kicked a record 419 goals at Kardinia Park for the Cats between 1961-72 (Gary Ablett snr 391), and was then a long-serving board member of the club, was recognised with a stand in 2005. Seven years later the Doug Wade Stand was demolished to make way for the Players stand.

The Doug Wade stand after it was demolished in 2005.

A contented Doug Wade outside his new gate.

JA: You must have seriously stuffed up Doug for the football club to take that stand off you?.

DW: (laughter). No, nothing like that. The club was actually very good about it and there are no hard feelings. I never felt that comfortable with a stand anyway, given the great players Geelong has had. And I have ended up with a Gate.

JA: A gate. I remember Gary Ablett Sr chuckling once when saying he thought his 1031 goals for Geelong might have warranted more than the Gary Ablett Terrace.

DW: Gary might have a point, especially when you consider the name has appeared twice over five decades with he and his son.

JA: So what should the new stand be called Doug? The Joel Selwood stand, Frank Costa stand or Djilang?

DW: What was the last one?

JA: Djilang is the traditional Indigenous name for Geelong.

DW: Definitely not Djilang. Of the other two, I think Frank Costa, despite Joel Selwood being the best AFL captain, player and person I have seen in my lifetime.

JA: I’m surprised given your love of Selwood?

DW: I wouldn’t mind if it was Joel Selwood. It’s just with players how do you decide between Selwood, Matthew Scarlett or one of the Gary Abletts?

JA: Isn’t that the same with an administrator/president like Frank Costa?

DW: Fair point given what men like Jack Jennings and Ron Hovey did for the club, or the financial kindness of benefactor Alex Popescu.

JA: So give me a name?

DW: All right, I will go for the Legends Stand for all those legends who have some part in what is a wonderful football club.

JA: One that can go back to back?

DW: History says that is very hard to do but I must admit I didn’t realise how good a player Jeremy Cameron is. And I love Patrick Dangerfield, who to my mind was clearly best on ground in the 2022 Grand Final.