While thousands of cricket fans enjoyed the SCG’s new facilities during last week’s Ashes Test, Sydney Swans fans will be among the first to experience the completed grandstand when the 2014 AFL season gets underway.

The new MA Noble, Bradman and Messenger stands will be fully operational for the Swans’ first SCG game against North Melbourne on April 13 and will provide a variety of new and improved facilities for members and reserved seat holders.

After taking a tour of the facilities this week, Sydney Swans General Manager – Membership, Ticketing & Fan Engagement, Natalie Fagg, said the new grandstand was shaping up to be a terrific place to watch the footy from this season.

“The first thing you notice when you step into the grandstand is the sheer scale of the new facility in terms of structure, food and beverage options, and areas for fans to hang out behind the grandstand,” she said.

“It’s just more significant than anywhere else in the venue, which is fantastic and overall it’s just much bigger.”

The completion of the new grandstand will see the Red Zone move back to its original location on levels 1, 2 and 4 of the MA Noble Stand, as well as the lower Ladies Stand.

The grandstand will also house reserved seat members on levels 1 and 4 of the Bradman Stand and level 1 of the Messenger Stand.

Fagg said the new Red Zone seating was one of the highlights of the redevelopment, as well as the spectacular views from every level of grandstand.

“The Red Zone is really going to be something special, so I think those members within the new Red Zone are really going to notice the stark difference between what was there before and what’s there now,” she said.

“The view is fantastic from every seat.

“The Member Services team walked right to the back this week to check out the view from the very far row, and the view is fantastic not only of the ground but of the city behind the grandstand as well.”

The club’s Member Services Team are now in the process of allocating seating for returning members, and will shortly be placing new members in their seats for the 2014 season.

Fagg said the completion of the new stand meant that members had a variety of seating options to choose from this season.

“The great thing about not being under redevelopment anymore is that there’s space everywhere, not just in the new stand,” she said.

“There is space in all of the stands, whereas last year and the year before we were limited because there were ten thousand seats missing.

“It gives us the opportunity to give members the best seats, not just in the new grandstand, but in the existing grandstands.

Fagg added that the club was looking forward to welcoming long-term members back to their seats in the new grandstand.

“From all accounts, what we’re getting in the feedback from members is that they’re super excited about going back into the new facility and being back on that side of the ground and sharing that space with the SCG Members Reserves as well,” she said.

“They’ve certainly been the ones who have been most disadvantaged over the last two years while we were under redevelopment, so the fact that they get some of the best facilities now is fantastic.

“They’ve just got to remember dress regulations!”