The AFL match day program, The Record, features player profiles whereby players respond to some generic questions. One of the questions is, “What is your favourite stadium?” This got me thinking…

At the Swans we have two great home grounds. Like most past and present ‘Swannies’, I see the SCG as our spiritual home. Having the luxury of both playing and training on such a world-class pitch is a privilege. I vividly remember the support the crowd gave me on debut and continue to marvel at the energy that is transferred from the crowd to us players at every home game.

There is no doubt that the SCG is my favourite place to play AFL football but having come from a Rugby Union back round, I thought it might be interesting to share some of the lesser known stadiums I’ve had the luxury of playing on and provide a few interesting facts about each one. 

Franklin Gardens, Northampton, England.
Home Team: Northampton Saints
Capacity: 13, 591



My first experience as a professional rugby player came at Franklin Gardens and therefore it holds a special place in my memory.

A week-and-a-half early, I received a call from a player agent in England informing me of an opportunity to trial with Edinburgh Rugby of Scotland. Four days later, I packed my bags, deferred my University classes and boarded a plane for the opportunity of a three-month trial with Edinburgh.

Despite having combated a week of jet lag with excitement, to this day, the game is still etched in my memory as one of my best rugby experiences. The stadium turf was flat as a tack and immaculately kept. Purpose built for rugby, spectators seemed to be on top of the action, while the confined space of the stadium ensured a noisy atmosphere.

Stade Sapiac, Montauban, France.
Home Team: MTG-XV
Capacity: 12,600 + standing room of approx. 2000



Montauban has a population of 57,000, give or take a few snow-birding Pommies. Some quick maths tells me that when full, Stade Sapiac, holds approximately 25% of the town’s population! Night games certainly provide an opportune time for burglars with (at least) one in four homes vacant.

The ‘cheer squads’ equivalent at Sapiac are called the Ultras. Throughout the game, they are known to play the trumpet, blow the air horn, and throw green, black and white confetti at every opportunity. Their chant of choice is, “SAPIAC EH, ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ, ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ, ALLEZ ALLEZ ALLEZ, SAPIAC EH…” Translated meaning, “Sapiac O, let’s go let’s go let’s go…”

France is a country steeped with history and like most village stadiums, Sapiac has its own heritage flavour. The Stadium still has the remains of a 100-year-old velodrome at either end. Though useless for biking and being a bit of an eye sore, it did prove useful when practicing goal kicking.

Stadio Flaminio, Rome, Italy
Home Team: Rugby Italia
Capacity: 32,000



While my playing memories on this pitch are poor (I tore my hamstring in the first five minutes of the game) the stadium itself is special.

The appeal of this ground lies below the field of play in its preparation area. The change rooms are dark, filled with only the worst quality of artificial light. The hallways are catacomb-like, walls splattered in lime stains. All of the piping is exposed and hiss with every toilet flushed. It is evident that rooms have endured years of abuse while sheltering thousands of athletes.

The race requires you to climb about 30 old creaky stairs, studs clicking on every step, and releases you onto the field through a hatch door. Emerging from the trap door and feeling the energy of the crowd’s roar, I couldn’t help but think of ancient gladiators and how in some ways footballers are modern day equivalents.

If you’re ever lucky enough to travel outside of Australia, I urge you to take in a local sporting event. There is no better way to see the natives unwind or to experience the passion of the masses.

Yours in Sport,

Mike Pyke

Have you got anything relevant in the football or news world you would like me to discuss? Send your queries to media@sydneyswans.com.au, and include your name and hometown and I’ll try and discuss them in my next blog.