Abel Goals unusual AFL season challenge

With the 2019 AFL season now over, John Cann, General Manager of leading goals post supplier Abel Sports, has looked back on an unusual season highlight that demonstrated the strength of the product.

Early this year, Abel Sports Operation Manager, Jennie Russell requested manufacturing specifications from the team’s engineers for new 15 metre-high AFL goal poles that were to be installed at the Sydney Cricket Ground supplying information including soil conditions and wind rating.

However, as Cann explains she “failed to mention the possibility of the posts being climbed.”

This happened during round 8 of the AFL season at the SCG on Friday 10th May when Sydney Swans captain, Dane Rampe climbed the goalpost in the final moments of the Swans' win over Essendon to stop a shot - an action for which he was later fined by the AFL.

However, as Cann points out, the goal post stayed firm under Rampe’s weight.

Cann explained “you would need a bulldozer to push them over and even King Kong from the movies would have problems shaking them.

“Our goal posts are so solid it is doubtful if they could even be shaken enough to spoil the player kicking for goal.

“The white powder coated aluminium AFL goal posts have 4m steel spigots inserted in the aluminium outer skin and then are welded to a solid galvanised steel hinged base plate.”

Abel Sports manufacture goal posts for AFL, football and rugby and can be found in most major stadiums throughout Australia.

Click here to contact Abel Sports via their listing in the Australasian Leisure Management Suppliers Directory.

Image shows Dane Rampe climbing the SCG's Able installed goal posts in the final moments of the Sydney Swans' win over Essendon on Friday 10th May. Courtesy of John Cann/Abel Sports.