This program tells the story of how Adelaide Oval was transformed from iconic cricket ground into one of the most spectacular stadiums in world sport. And how it almost didn't happen.
This television special traces the turbulent origins of the project, from the acrimonious forty year divorce between South Australian football and cricket to the clandestine meetings involving the AFL and SACA, the secret deals, arguments and political fall-out.
The documentary explains the risks and pressures of the 100-week build process, the scramble to launch in time for the Ashes Test and Showdown and the outstanding success of the new stadium.
Since its re-development, the Adelaide Oval has been an outstanding success, re-establishing Adelaide's place on the national and global sporting and event stage and in the process revitalizing a city, even redefining a State.
The production features more than twenty individual interviews with all of the major players in the deal and also the new faces of the Oval, including former AFL CEO Andrew Demetriou, current AFL boss Gillon McLachlan, former Adelaide Football Club CEO Steven Trigg, Crows captain Taylor Walker, Port Adelaide superstar Chad Wingard, former SACA president Ian McLachlan, former treasurer Kevin Foley, Australian cricket coach Darren Lehmann and respected ABC cricket commentator Jim Maxwell.