Lord Mayor: Etihad won’t last 20 years

Lord mayor Robert Doyle says Etihad Stadium will not exist in 20 years time.

Speaking on Melbourne radio station 3AW, Doyle said he believes the stadium cuts off the Docklands area from the city.

"In the time-frame you're talking, Etihad Stadium will disappear," Doyle said.

"It's a great idea having another stadium close to the city, but I would have thought that's one of the things that cuts off Docklands from the city.

"I don't mind a stadium in the Docklands, it's just we can look down and see Western Park, it's down towards Bolte Bridge.

"There's room down there to put an AFL-sized ground and it doesn't block off the city from Docklands."

Docklands Stadium has been in operation since the year 2000 and hosts AFL, football, cricket, both rugby codes and concerts and special events.