New grandstand seating was today unveiled at Manuka Oval. The new grandstand has 412 seats, and is the first of three new stands to be installed at the ground.

The grandstand will be in use when the Greater Western Sydney Giants take on Melbourne at Manuka this Saturday (August 18) in round 21 of the AFL.

I urge all footy fans to head to Manuka Oval on Saturday to support the Giants. GWS's defeat of the Suns at Manuka Oval in May was thrilling, and this weekend Kevin Sheedy's team has a good chance to record their third win of the year.

The new grandstand is on the eastern side of the oval, and will help to meet demand for seating in that part of the ground.

The grandstand has been designed and built by Melbourne-based firm Australian Seating Systems, using locally made seats.

Spectators with general admission tickets for the Giants vs Demons match this weekend will be able to use the seats at no extra charge.

The remaining two new grandstands are expected to be in place in time for the Prime Minister's XI cricket match in January 2013.

The opening of the grandstand is the first of several upgrades that are in the pipeline for Manuka Oval. In addition to the two other grandstands, floodlights are being erected, which has allowed for the scheduling of a day-night one-day international match between Australia and the West Indies on February 6 - the first time the Australian team will have played in Canberra.

In addition, the Government is preparing designs for a major redevelopment of the oval. A number of concept schemes have been prepared that will see an increase in seated capacity to 18,000, improved corporate facilities, improved media facilities, new entrances and improved linkages to Manuka and Telopea Park.