CLOSE to 7,000 people packed Seiffert Oval on Saturday night to watch the Raiders take on the Newcastle Knights, the first time Queanbeyan has hosted pro-level League since the Raiders moved to Canberra in the late 1980s.
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With the local ground in top condition thanks to an ongoing $1.1 million upgrade, football fans and players alike reported a positive game day experience, albeit a bit in the dark.
Raiders' media manager Ben Pollack said the club had been impressed with the quality of the facilities throughout the ground, and said the club would look for opportunities to play further trial matches in Queanbeyan.
Although he was one of several people The Queanbeyan Age spoke to this week who noted the lighting needed to be improved if Seiffert was to host more night fixtures.
"We thought it was great to be honest. From all reports, the players really enjoyed the experience. We'd love to be able to take another game there in the future," Mr Pollack said.
"The work that's gone into the ground is fantastic. They probably just need to fix a few little things up, probably investigate the possibility of getting some better lighting for the ground if we're going to have a night game there next time.
"But it's definitely now ready to host a number of events, including Raiders games. That's something we're definitely keen to do again in a trial match sense- probably not a competition game; we've got a commitment to the stadium there."
I think we'll definitely have a trial there again, if not next year, the one after. It's something we're
Queanbeyan's larrikin butcher, Peter Lindbeck, was another who noted the lights needed to be beefed up ahead of the next Queanbeyan hitout, but said it was a great experience for Queanbeyan sports lovers nonetheless (despite the home side being thrashed 26-4).
"I don't know if we're spoilt or what with professional stadiums now, but it looked a bit inadequate," he said of the lighting
"But it was still bloody good. It was like the good old days again. Everyone was packed in there and talking rubbish and watching the footy. And when the footy got a bit sad, we went and joined the line for a warm can of mid-strength.
"And then afterwards the crowd all walked back over the low-level bridge and up into the main street. It was great."
The butcher joined those calling for more Raiders games to return to Seiffert in the future.
"If they could improve the lights and host the odd competition night game, or maybe 3 o'clock on a Sunday afternoon, they'd get 10,000 people there easy," he said.
Mayor Tim Overall also praised the event, and said that he hoped the strong local support for the Raiders would see more matches cross the border into Queanbeyan.
"When you think back to the Canberra Raiders beginnings, Queanbeyan was their base, the vast majority of players were from Queanbeyan teams and Seiffert was their home. In other words, Queanbeyan has always been at the heart of the Raiders and I think the huge crowd on the night, welcoming them back, and the overwhelming support for the event, shows just how strong this bond still is.
"I look forward to seeing our team again return to our reinvigorated Seiffert Oval and perhaps as a regular feature on Queanbeyan's calendar once more," he said.
Mr Pollack said the Raiders had an ongoing contract to play competition home games at Canberra Stadium. However he said the club would look to host another trial here in the near future.
"I think we'll definitely have a trial there again, if not next year, the one after. It's something we're definitely keen to do again."
And Queanbeyan Police praised spectators for their good behaviour at the match, with no incidents recorded. "Police were quite happy with spectators at the NRL game on Saturday, February 21," acting inspector Ben Bowles said. "We had no incidents reported to police. It was a good family evening."