Melbourne considering shifting its base to MCG

[old dee 23,951]

sounds like another blue sky distraction

btw with modern turf management i don't see why a team couldn't train at least twice a week on the mcg

Blue sky that covers it.

as soon as these ideas pop up my BS detector goes off.

is it meant to distract us from the miserable last ten games of 2014?

[beelzebub 23,389]

I really dont see it altering anything bb

will it gives us an extra win? I doubt the answer is yes!

Will it give us a warm and fuzzy feeling? Probably yes

I am happy for those wanting a warm and fuzzy feeling

As noted by others its the training park locale thats the illogic here. I am one who like the warmth and fuzziness and the whole idea of being BACK at the G...our Home. But where to train ? Theorectically you could create another oval outside. Goschs could be handed over to replace the space. All probably very unlikely.

Definitely someone elses motive involved here I suspect.

[old dee 23,951]

Maybe so Old Dee but for too long it's felt like we've invited strangers to our house and somehow we're sleeping in the spare bedroom with the shite mattress.

Does not worry me one way or the other RtG

Winning games is all I have interest in these days the rest is just side shows I am afraid.

Am I cyncial?

YES

[Return to Glory 8,448]

As noted by others its the training park locale thats the illogic here. I am one who like the warmth and fuzziness and the whole idea of being BACK at the G...our Home. But where to train ? Theorectically you could create another oval outside. Goschs could be handed over to replace the space. All probably very unlikely.

Definitely someone elses motive involved here I suspect.

Another clubs motives or politics?

[Return to Glory 8,448]

Does not worry me one way or the other RtG

Winning games is all I have interest in these days the rest is just side shows I am afraid.

Am I cyncial?

YES

You do have a point but, for mine, it's about the perception that we are not going to be second class citizens. Same with trading with Geelong re Clark. Probably just my frustration at where we are.

[beelzebub 23,389]

Another clubs motives or politics?

I cant put my finger on it ....but something's not quite right.. Reminds me of the 'bait and switch" routine. The more I think the more something smells fishy !

Who moves and why...etc

St Kilda are big winner if they get the Junction oval and leave the swamp. Good for them. Heres where it gets curious. Cricket Vic would take up co tenancy at the Junction. DO they currently have some commercial obligation to the G ? Would hey need some bunny to take over some lease etc Have no idea but Im thinking , forget whats in it for us, who actually benefits ??

Edited October 1, 2014 by beelzebub

[old dee 23,951]

You do have a point but, for mine, it's about the perception that we are not going to be second class citizens. Same with trading with Geelong re Clark. Probably just my frustration at where we are.

I dont disagree but I have trouble being interested in anything these days outside of the playing field.

As you say i have way more interest in how we conduct our trading

I think I am worn out by all the Red and Blue plans, white boards, blazers, trips to China etc etc.

[old dee 23,951]

I cant put my finger on it ....but something's not quite right.. Reminds me of the 'bait and switch" routine. The more I think the more something smells fishy !

Who moves and why...etc

St Kilda are big winner if they get the Junction oval and leave the swamp. Good for them. Heres where it gets curious. Cricket Vic would take up co tenancy at the Junction. DO they currently have some commercial obligation to the G ? Would hey need some bunny to take over some lease etc Have no idea but Im thinking , forget whats in it for us, who actually benefits ??

You are probably correct bb

[Sir Why You Little 37,251]

Maybe so Old Dee but for too long it's felt like we've invited strangers to our house and somehow we're sleeping in the spare bedroom with the shite mattress.

The main reason i want this to happen is

1. Keeping players on our list

2 Attracting big recruits

Come to the MFC and you not only play on the G, it's our home.

[13thFlagIsComing 542]

Having had a quick think about this and not seeing the entire site in can be done pretty quickly.

- Main thing is wether a new oval would be required. If so it would have to go behind the Olympic Stand. That hill would need to be carved down towards Jolimont station to flatten it out. Also there was work done in regards to a new water recycling facility in that area so that may be affected.

- The indoor cricket nets area could become a gym floor as well as sprint lanes.

- The outdoor practice wicket area could possibly be widened and extended be covered with a clear ETFE (Think its called that) roof to have an indoor training area similar to what Essendon have @ Tullamarine Airport.

- Not a bad place to come to work everyday!

Edited October 1, 2014 by 13thFlagIsComing

[Red and Bluebeard 2,101]

I wonder where there is a long-term issue for us at AAMI Park. Clearly we are always going to be the fourth tenant behind the Storm, Rebels and Victory, and there is only so much space. Given that all four will expect to grow over the next 5-10 years, it may well be that there is a coming squeeze there.

I also agree with BB that there is probably something else going on, but we probably won't know what that is until later, if at all ...

[13thFlagIsComing 542]

Wouldn't be surprised if the MCC is pushing for the VCA's move to the Junction Oval.

-Allows us to come home

-Possibly ties in all commercial arrangements through the MCC and if the VCA use the ground could be as a guest rather than a tenant.

- total control of commercial agreements all year round?

[beelzebub 23,389]

Solve the training oval issue and you have a very tempting idea , but thats a lot easier said than done.

I think it would be marvellous to have the G as the real home for the Dees. A lot of pluses .. But cant see how it would happen.

still wondering whos pushing this though ..lol

[What 18,810]

why cant we train on the MCG?

We are the original tenant FFS

[george_on_the_outer 7,824]

why cant we train on the MCG?

We are the original tenant FFS

Because they play cricket there in the summer.

And if you visit during the winter you will see the whole ground covered with lighting to make the grass grow and recover from the previous weekends activities.

[Deez 298]

I thought there was some talk of not playing so much cricket at the G due to the numbers that actually attend the games.
(even though it is the melbourne cricket ground)

Even if they do a lot of turf regrowth in the winter during the week, the team doesn't spend every hour of the day on it anyway, they'd have a heap of sessions in pools, in the gym and out on running tracks

There would be some days they won't need the turf at all during season and off season, probably an altitude camp at some stage (in the summer).
basically i think they could juggle the turf growth and a team doing preseason.

Edited October 1, 2014 by Deez

[beelzebub 23,389]

Forget about training on the g

Wont happen. It would need another oval...but where...and if not next to rest facilities, then whats the point even if a tug at the heart.

[gg1964 2]

some backroom strategy from somewhere going on here

* the five year review for our agreement at AAMI is due shortly ( we can opt out each review if necessary), occupancy was aimed short term, ( even though long term agreement) as very crowded and space at premium.

*AFL want cricket off MCG for March

*Saints desperate to get away from Seaford

*Cricket Victoria want elite training facility

Important that we understand we will require some fair dollars to get MCG facilities to high standard as per our elite opponents.

[What 18,810]

Pretty sad we are the only team without our own custom built training base and elite facilities

even fellow paupers North and the Bulldogs have them.... unbelievable

[Pates 9,661]

Honestly for me the only way this could possibly work is if there was a second training ground created somewhere next to the G, for that to be viable they would then need to probably create underground car parking under Yarra Park (something I believe is planned) but as said above a lot of work would need to go into flattening the ground as there really isn't anywhere that flat as it is.

To me for all parties to be happy it would cost a lot of money and in the long run have very little commercial or community benefit (something that has been a carrot with the Western Oval and Arden street).

This is all coming to the point where we review the AAMI park situation, it must be pretty crowded there with four teams, especially with three of those teams having matching seasons (winter for Dees, Storm, and Rebels) which means I reckon it might get cramped during summer when it's a lot of weights and core strength building.

Of all the ideas being thrown around (aside from staying at AAMI) I would say the Docklands idea provides most of the positive aspects, although it takes us away from our spiritual home. It will be built from scratch to specs that fits with us, provides a park and training area for a new community, still keeps us in "Melbourne" and in fact pushes us further into the CBD of Melbourne (something Bartlett seems keen on). We can also look at the potential of a social club that can be used for post-game functions, particularly when we're scheduled at Colonial/Telstra/Etihad/whatever stadium.

Edited October 1, 2014 by Pates

[Pennant St Dee 13,372]

Pretty sad we are the only team without our own custom built training base and elite facilities

even fellow paupers North and the Bulldogs have them.... unbelievable

No we are not Meth Coast still don't have their own training base, it's being built soon at Lathlain but they still train at Subiaco oval. They do training at Leederville Oval, Subiaco and also pop up at City Beach Oval which is the home of West Coast Amatuers

[Straight Sets Simon 23,113]

Pretty sad we are the only team without our own custom built training base and elite facilities

even fellow paupers North and the Bulldogs have them.... unbelievable

Melbourne still get access to some of the best facilities in the country, why is it an issue that they share with other teams?

I know for a fact that the Demons and Storm help each other out a lot with various things including training equipment.

[Coq au vin 755]

In the 50s did our team train on the MCG?

[daisycutter 29,823]

In the 50s did our team train on the MCG?

they did in the 60's

not sure about 70's but think so

[Biffen 12,949]

What a brainstorm.

We take our own oval back.

I like it.