From the meeting of Council.

General Business & Notices of Motion

General Business 17 June 2008

Melbourne Football Club Item 1

Cr Colin Butler

Purpose of Report: To consider a report provided by Councillor Butler on further discussions with Melbourne Football Club.

Discussion

On Monday 9 June a delegation of Councillors and partners and the CEO attended the MCG for the traditional Queen’s Birthday football match between Collingwood and Melbourne Football Clubs.

At the luncheon prior to the match, the Chairman of Melbourne Football Club (MFC), Paul Gardner, announced his impending retirement from the position. In speaking to the guests he reflected on his time in the role as Chairman, he discussed the future of the club and in particular the direction the club needed to pursue in the future and in very positive terms the prospective partnership with the City of Casey. He described the City of Casey as outstanding in its dealings with MFC.

In outlining the changes under way at MFC Mr Gardner said “In just the past twelve months, we have changed virtually our entire football department, appointed a new CEO and new Board members. We have worked closely with the State Government, AFL, MCC and other key stakeholders to develop a new strategic direction, to finalise our home at the rectangular stadium, and to hopefully grab a slice of Australia’s fastest growth corridor in the Casey precinct."

As well as the Chairman speaking positively about Casey, the function’s MC (Board member Beverley O’Connor), Chris Connolly and (injured player) Aaron Davey also spoke positively about the proposed Casey relationship. The hundreds of guests present would have been clear that MFC believes that the Casey project and the club’s relationship and partnership with the City of Casey are an important part of the club’s future.

The luncheon enabled Councillors to meet current and prospective members of MFC’s Board of Management and current football club staff, and to extend and strengthen the relationship between Casey and the club. It provided an opportunity for discussions with the prospective future Chairman of MFC, Jimmy Stynes, and others who may well seek election to the board.

Given that the outgoing Chairman of MFC will have retired by the time this report is considered, Council will need to consider commencing liaison with the new Board of the MFC.

Recommendation

1. That Council invites the new Chairman and Board Members of Melbourne Football Club to meet with the Council representatives and visit the proposed site at Casey Fields while continuing the current negotiations with the club.

2. That Council undertake any other necessary activities to familiarise the Melbourne Football Club’s new Board of Management with our municipality.

I'll take this as a positive report, it seems like we're very much on board with it so hopefully we can get Casey as excited.

Does kind of make you wonder if the Stynes' team timing might have been a tad prematurely inconvenient. Might they have waited til thi s deal was done.. now its got to be revisited by the new board

Does kind of make you wonder if the Stynes' team timing might have been a tad prematurely inconvenient. Might they have waited til thi s deal was done.. now its got to be revisited by the new board

It shouldn't make much difference I wouldn't think (hopefully anyway).

Another thing that went through Casey Council on Tuesday evening was the Council's budget for 2008/09 which amongst $190 million provided for:

• $750,000 for VFL pavilion extension
• $140,000 for VFL Oval carpark sealing

Those projects are associated with the MFC project at Casey Fields if it eventuates.

It seems though that there was a bit of opposition from 3 Councillors:

http://www.starnewsgroup.com.au/story/60303

Another interesting snippet is from today's Age:

http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/st-k...3770827317.html

"Meanwhile, Melbourne is yet to finalise its plans for a training base at Casey Fields in Cranbourne and talks with the City of Casey and VFL club Casey Scorpions regarding the proposed $1.6 million development are continuing. It is believed there have been no talks on a possible alignment between the Melbourne and Casey football clubs."

That last bit is a bit concerning if true!

Seems a mixture of ludicrous and concerning.

I can't imagine this hasn't come up. It's not like we can run our own team out of Casey Fields can we?

I can understand if nothig formally is announced. Protocol Id think would suggest that the ground/training arrangement be ratified first , then an announcement of allignments after. Strangely that doesnt concern me at present.

Obviously the Csaey people feel they now have to go through the whole rigamorle to some point with tehe incumbents etc. A total waste of time and efforts all around. This should have been put to bed by now.

Seems like this is on a slow boat to nowhere. By the time anything is resolved the rectangular stadium will be finished.

Scorp! That's the first time i've "heard" you downbeat, don't worry! There's still hope, probably just people waiting for some under the table payments, she'll be apples

Scorp..I have all faith that it will happen.. but after a needless delay. We're now entering the 'to and fro' sessions. Bit like a waltz but political..lol. Then we'll have the signing of the letters of intent, the requisite heads will agree in principal and sign off.. then the nitty gritty will get underway..Dont you love the wheels of progress..lol.

Jimmy might like Canberra.. but it can only be further icing..there's no cake there. The ACT of going there ( sorry ..had to..lol ) is to pay bills..nothing more..nothinig less really. If done over enough years a bit of a following could develop..and 1000 / 1500 extra memebers mightnt hurt..but as country members not as much bonus to the bottom line...but it all helps !

Yeah, I can't see Casey saying no in the end. They appear to want assurances that we're serious about our commitment to getting involved down there - Since the club strategy is thinking of Casey as a major growth area for us, and a key area we should be involved in, I think they will gradually feel more comfortable with the arrangements.

As for Canberra, belzebub is right - it'll never be a major operation simply because Canberra doesn't have the following to support a full team, and also has basically every club represented in their mix. Moslty the crowds will be people who want to catch some football, but hate Sydney and don't like going up to Sydney for the boring games played for a soulless club.

A lot of people in Canberra hate the Swans. It's good fun.

Yeah, I can't see Casey saying no in the end.

I haven't heard anyone saying "no" - it's just that no-one has said anything

I haven't heard anyone saying "no" - it's just that no-one has said anything

Hasn't the President said that an alliance is still a long way off, and mentioned a 50/50 figure?

That's what's been reported on the forums.

It was apparently on ABC TV when the Scorps were playing Sandy.

Early reports said the Scorpions President said it was less than 50/50.

Subsequent reports said that he actually said it was better than 50/50.

But there are two issues here:

• a relocation for next season for training
• an alignment

I think they are separate issues, but the first would easily lead to the second.

And then, even if MFC doesn't move out to Casey, there is still the possibility of an alignment as:

• Casey now doesn't have St Kilda
• MFC needs a VFL club to run its surplus players
• Casey would want a top-up of AFL players to stay competitive

I hope the MFC board gets in contact with the Casey Scorpions as quickly as possibly to sort out a deal.

Personally I believe it will be a match made in heaven.

Let's hope things can work out.

I hope the MFC board gets in contact with the Casey Scorpions as quickly as possibly to sort out a deal.

Personally I believe it will be a match made in heaven.

Let's hope things can work out.

Let's hope Jimmy and his staff roll their sleeves up on this one. Was this all too hard for Gardener? Jimmy has some big decisions to make on this one, this is a long term future decision, he's barely been in the seat for a week.

Again I doubt that this wont go through.. There is a protocol to the time line. There is the observance of due dilligence, there is the requirement to observe etiquette and not tread on others toes etc. First things first. .The facilities deal needs to be signed off on..then all will flow after in due course. Neither the Dees or Casey wil be alone next year..

A little patience folks

( just tidied up that spelling..lol )

Again I dount that thsi wont go through.. There is a protocol to the time lime. There is the observance of due dilligence, there is teh requirement th observe etiquette and not tread on others toes etc. First things first. .The facilities deal needs to be signed off on..then all will flow after in due course. Neither the Dees or Casey wil be alone next year..

A little patience folks

Patience is a virtue.. I'm sure things will work out for the better

Well, it's almost been sorted out.

The concerned parties (the Melbourne Demons and the Casey Scorpions and the City of Casey) are meeting today or tomorrow.

I found the story in the newspaper here: http://www.realfooty.com.au/news/news/demo...4073341424.html

Seems like stuff all really to sort out ...other than the money. It'll come. Seems like ol' MacNamee certainly's getting some exercise with all his legwork

Melbourne only needs a good surface...doesnt have to be the #1 oval per se.. They are upgrading the ovals at casey anyways according to their own master plan.

Interesting to see the council approved the proposed changes despite some las tminute lobbying to scuttle teh developments at Casey Fields in lieu of a 1% rate reduction, like anyone would notice !!

According to the age today there was a meeting held today so we'll hopefully know more soon.

I reckon thev Casey Demons playing in our colours would be a great start to what will hopefully be a fruitful relationship for all concerned.

Is McNamee at the tennis and missing this meeting?

It will remain the Scorpions in their colours.

It will remain the Scorpions in their colours.

I'd say that would be the case but Bendigo and Coburg took on their Afl affiliates colours and nickname so it would be great if we could persuade them to do the same - Money always talks but they've probably got more than us. Maybe we'll become the Melbourne Scorpions and play in their colours

yes..money talks...and almost everyone has more than us !! lol.. we arent in any box seat to ask more!!

I'd say that would be the case but Bendigo and Coburg took on their Afl affiliates colours and nickname so it would be great if we could persuade them to do the same - Money always talks but they've probably got more than us. Maybe we'll become the Melbourne Scorpions and play in their colours

Casey played Coburg last weekend, and I can assure you that Coburg was not decked out in yellow and black.

The name Melbourne Football Club clearly has to remain, but the Melbourne Scorpions has good synergies. It would also overcome some of the concerns I've read on here about demons being a concern to kids or other cultures, if MFC was minded to defer to those concerns.

I think some may have to take a breather. Not EVERYONE in Casey is whoop whoop behind us. Some question ( and I can see the argument ) of them, the residents , spending money for this broke , half out the door team. Others with a more glass is half full thinking see this as a great opportunity for synergy and a shared future.

Lets take small steps. Lets get them right. Lets prove to all we are actually in this for the long haul. Then we can see if any closer relationship and naming is warranted.

The last thing we can afford to do is go in like a swaggering drunken zealot ..wnting to spread the luuurve of all things Demon!!!

One step at a time.. after all we are past masters at tripping ourselves up!!!