It is a modern fan experience in a social media-driven society wanting more ‘exclusive’ looks and wanting them now. So, we need to start planning a move like that. Sooner rather than later.

This is the third consecutive week Geelong can to the nation its new cutting-edge Charles Brownlow Stand down at Kardinia Park.

It is really hard to not get impatient for what is unfolding at Eureka Stadium, knowing we cannot afford to rest on our laurels while at the same time as not getting too far ahead of ourselves.

We have started to have our first glimpse at seating in the new grandstands. There will be about 5000 seats all up, while there were 6,500 installed in the Brownlow stand.

What we must remember is that Geelong’s road to its new Brownlow, complete with its fan portal watch on warm-ups, has taken about 16-17 years to reach this point.

Back when the city and club were mapping this out, it was still the done thing to stand in the outer and jostle as a child to see past taller parochial supporters (often learning resilience amid what is now deemed unacceptable crowd behaviour). 

It was wild – well, mostly that was Geelong supporters – but it is really important to remember that the city down the road did not start with an impressive Cattery. They built it.

Do not grumble about how Geelong has its own, fully-entrenched to every part of society AFL team. 

Do not question who gets to play at Eureka Stadium.

And definitely do not whinge about money better spent on filling potholes.

Geelong’s Kardinia Park stadium redevelopment can really teach us a lot on where we should be heading, even though right now it is on a much bigger scale than Eureka.

Their latest state-of-the-art stand features a new 1000-seat function centre, a two-tiered merchandise store, a café outside players’ rooms but also accessible to the public, and the Sunrise Centre, a community facility that will aim to rehabilitate people to return to the workforce following serious injury. Plus, the fly-on-wall fan portal.

It is all about bring the community in. Sharing.

Geelong is rallying to boost capacity to 40,000 to lure A-League soccer, Big Bash cricket, rugby and concerts.

We need to start thinking along the same lines to capitalise on what we will have and our potential to grow. Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility is great modern example in the events, sport and off-field, it can serve up.

This city has never had a truly big outdoor stadium. It is time to change.

Western Bulldogs are moving in and the boutique kennel would also suit AFLW crowds.There is a chance to let the community in more. Why not consider planning carols there? Or stepping up function spaces?

The most important point is that we develop Eureka Stadium’s potential so it does not gather dust, for then the only flies on the walls will be ones caught in stadium cobwebs.