It should not be impossible to play our VFL team in Yarra Park!

[picket fence 17,500]

 

fROM TWO PREVIOUS POSTS 

In Answer to your questions Why can a club like Western Bulldogs be able to afford a stand alone team and us not??

If this club really wants tro get anywhere it will "Find" this money and make it happen! Profesional football clubs are biting the bullet and reaping the benefits ( Bulldogs again)  Others might know how much extra money iot takes and the answer if verified might surprise you Angry at Casey!

Re Ground ,well ,do you really think we have a solid supporter base of supporters at Cranbourne and environs??

If Punt Rd is out of the question and I don't see how it would be Why not consider Princess Park or even Victoria Park if available , better surfaces, better atmiosphere and surely much better venues than Bloody cold, and windy Casey Fields??

AND 

Ok so, if we field a ressies team and they make finals are we going to pull players then??

Nup I think not! Casey is a very short term fix and not a sustainable ioption for long term stability and football governance. As Melbourne FC Reserves we have full and total control over our players, coaching staff, philosophy and all football related matters. I'm not sure we have this under the current arrangement!

Edited April 6, 2016 by picket fence

[Ted Lasso 19,549]

On 4/6/2016 at 9:26 PM, picket fence said:

 

fROM TWO PREVIOUS POSTS 

In Answer to your questions Why can a club like Western Bulldogs be able to afford a stand alone team and us not??

If this club really wants tro get anywhere it will "Find" this money and make it happen! Profesional football clubs are biting the bullet and reaping the benefits ( Bulldogs again)  Others might know how much extra money iot takes and the answer if verified might surprise you Angry at Casey!

Re Ground ,well ,do you really think we have a solid supporter base of supporters at Cranbourne and environs??

If Punt Rd is out of the question and I don't see how it would be Why not consider Princess Park or even Victoria Park if available , better surfaces, better atmiosphere and surely much better venues than Bloody cold, and windy Casey Fields??

AND 

Ok so, if we field a ressies team and they make finals are we going to pull players then??

Nup I think not! Casey is a very short term fix and not a sustainable ioption for long term stability and football governance. As Melbourne FC Reserves we have full and total control over our players, coaching staff, philosophy and all football related matters. I'm not sure we have this under the current arrangement!

What difference does it make if the Casey coaches are MFC employees and they're playing our game plan and we're pulling the strings, the only difference is it's much cheaper to stick with Casey and the jumper they wear. 

[Demi Dee 578]

The Brunswick street oval in Fitzroy has a beautiful oval, you can see the city (Melbournesque.)

[MadAsHell 4,215]

9 hours ago, picket fence said:

 

fROM TWO PREVIOUS POSTS 

In Answer to your questions Why can a club like Western Bulldogs be able to afford a stand alone team and us not??

If this club really wants tro get anywhere it will "Find" this money and make it happen! Profesional football clubs are biting the bullet and reaping the benefits ( Bulldogs again)  Others might know how much extra money iot takes and the answer if verified might surprise you Angry at Casey!

Re Ground ,well ,do you really think we have a solid supporter base of supporters at Cranbourne and environs??

If Punt Rd is out of the question and I don't see how it would be Why not consider Princess Park or even Victoria Park if available , better surfaces, better atmiosphere and surely much better venues than Bloody cold, and windy Casey Fields??

AND 

Ok so, if we field a ressies team and they make finals are we going to pull players then??

Nup I think not! Casey is a very short term fix and not a sustainable ioption for long term stability and football governance. As Melbourne FC Reserves we have full and total control over our players, coaching staff, philosophy and all football related matters. I'm not sure we have this under the current arrangement!

Umm, ok PF your responding to something i wrote in a different thread. In short i don't see why us writting cheques to Richmond or Carlton is a good thing. And even if they ley us play the games there free of charge, ultimately we should be looking for a base somewhere that we can have our training facilities, admin a social club and play VFL out of also.

We're not going to get that at Punt Road or Princess Park. Victoria Park maybe? But if we're looking for something that represents Melbourne, i think Brunswick Street says that more then Abbotsford.

As for your question 'if the dogs can afford it why not us', well the Dogs already had a venue for starters, but as my post which i've listed below says. If we are going to do this, then we may as well go all in and totally redevelop a venue.

And for the record i actually like it out at Casey. Helps the ground is a 2min walk from my house.

9 hours ago, AngryAtCasey said:

BUMP

Thought i'd bump this given there's been some further talk about it in the Weideman thread.

If we were looking to leave Casey in a few years time with the view to setting up a base where everything could be set including our own VFL team, the question remains where close to the city could this be?

Keeping in mind we want to be close to our home land and at the same time have a venue that has some room to develop which brings me to.

Brunswick Street Oval, Fitzroy's old home ground from 1897 - 1966. If we rolled the dice and received government funding we could look to put in the proper facilities along with a social club that could go right next door to the bowls club.

When the club re-branded late last year it was going for a younger alternative image that related to modern Melbourne. And what's more Melbourne then Brunswick Street? Close to lots of cool cafe's and bars including what I believe is one of Melbourne's best Parma's at The Lord Newry Hotel!

Only 4.5km from the MCG, if the club was brave enough, I think Brunswick St Oval could be an option to develop once our agreement with AAMI Park ends at the end of 2019 I believe?

 

[CBDees 3,167]

Actually I hadn't read AaC's post on the Brunswick Street oval before but I like it. I am sure that lots of nostalgic inner city hipsters of all ages would revel in the idea, particular those with a previous association with Fitzroy like Jack Irish.  The idea of having one home base as the greatest stadium in the Western World and the other the hippest boutique ground in the Antipodes has immense appeal!

Having said that, I still like the idea of Melbourne sharing Brendan Gales touted new 40,000 seat stadium at Punt Road (whilst the Tigers continue to share access to the "G")! We could extend our arrangement at AAMI Stadium and continue to train at Gosch's Paddock. Better still, in addition to playing all our reserves home matches at Punt Road (or as curtain raisers at the "G"), we could also play the Suns and Giants there and never have to traipse to Etihad again.

Like AaC, I have a vested interest as all three venues suggested above are within walking distance of my home (with Brunswick Street readily availed with free weekend travel (tram) on a Seniors Card)!

[MadAsHell 4,215]

6 hours ago, CBDees said:

Actually I hadn't read AaC's post on the Brunswick Street oval before but I like it. I am sure that lots of nostalgic inner city hipsters of all ages would revel in the idea, particular those with a previous association with Fitzroy like Jack Irish.  The idea of having one home base as the greatest stadium in the Western World and the other the hippest boutique ground in the Antipodes has immense appeal!

Having said that, I still like the idea of Melbourne sharing Brendan Gales touted new 40,000 seat stadium at Punt Road (whilst the Tigers continue to share access to the "G")! We could extend our arrangement at AAMI Stadium and continue to train at Gosch's Paddock. Better still, in addition to playing all our reserves home matches at Punt Road (or as curtain raisers at the "G"), we could also play the Suns and Giants there and never have to traipse to Etihad again.

Like AaC, I have a vested interest as all three venues suggested above are within walking distance of my home (with Brunswick Street readily availed with free weekend travel (tram) on a Seniors Card)!

It would certainly cost a lot of money, but the end result could be something fantastic!

Kick the Fitzroy Reds onto the oval out the back with a contribution towards change rooms for them and have the tennis club move to some of the vacant land behind them with State Government funding for new Plexicushion Courts.  Can then use the disused tennis courts for player/staff car park.

Build a social club on Brunswick Street in the forward pocket that backs onto the bowls club leaving the rest of Brunswick Street with it's tree line while refurbishing/restoring the Grand Stand with new coaches boxes next to the  original stand with the player change rooms in the stand interior.  Possibly re-naming it the Neitz-Murray Stand named after two Melbourne & Fitzroy 300 game greats.

Along Freeman Street (opposite side of ground to the Grand Stand) you could have the admin offices along with a small broadcast center for VFL matches with a scoreboard and possibly a community hub of sorts as well, similar to what Collingwood did with Vic Park to help get the local counsel backing.

On the opposite side of the ground to Brunswick Street (Edinbrough Gradens side) in the opposite forward pocket you could build the player Gym and pool (could probably only fit a 25m one) leaving tree line behind the goals at Edinbrough end while in the other forward pocket at the Edinbrough end you could build the coaches offices/common areas/player meeting area.

Terrace around the rest of the ground for the spectators, I'd hate to think how much it would all cost, but gee what a presence we'd then have there.  Pipe dream maybe, but with a location like that, I reckon it would be a gamble well worth looking at in the very least.

[picket fence 17,500]

Very Much Warming to the idea of playing a MELBOURNE SECONDS/RESERVES team from the old FITROY ground! The sooner we have a stand alone team the better.

Let the Scorpions freeze their niagaras of at souless, Casey Fields as a stand alone VFL team!

[Chris 2,892]

Not a fan of the Brunswick street oval idea, nice place and all but it is hardly in our heartland and is close to traditional Carlton and Collingwood areas. 

If there is no option adjacent to the G, which would be ideal, then our new home needs to be in our heartland and close to the CBD. Somewhere like the South Yarra Cricket ground, Orrong Park, or Toorak park. Both would need mass redevelopment but both are linked to where are supporters are traditionally from, which is inner east and south east, not north of the Yarra. Even somewhere like Fawkner park (although there would be protests about that), or the cricket oval on StKilda road at the end of commercial road would be good. The exposure from StKilda road and Queens way on the last option would be great although the ground is not quite as big as the G. 

[CBDees 3,167]

1 hour ago, Chris said:

Not a fan of the Brunswick street oval idea, nice place and all but it is hardly in our heartland and is close to traditional Carlton and Collingwood areas. 

If there is no option adjacent to the G, which would be ideal, then our new home needs to be in our heartland and close to the CBD. Somewhere like the South Yarra Cricket ground, Orrong Park, or Toorak park. Both would need mass redevelopment but both are linked to where are supporters are traditionally from, which is inner east and south east, not north of the Yarra. Even somewhere like Fawkner park (although there would be protests about that), or the cricket oval on StKilda road at the end of commercial road would be good. The exposure from StKilda road and Queens way on the last option would be great although the ground is not quite as big as the G. 

I still like Brendan Gale's idea > a drop kick from the "G"!

[Demi Dee 578]

3 hours ago, AngryAtCasey said:

It would certainly cost a lot of money, but the end result could be something fantastic!

Kick the Fitzroy Reds onto the oval out the back with a contribution towards change rooms for them and have the tennis club move to some of the vacant land behind them with State Government funding for new Plexicushion Courts.  Can then use the disused tennis courts for player/staff car park.

Build a social club on Brunswick Street in the forward pocket that backs onto the bowls club leaving the rest of Brunswick Street with it's tree line while refurbishing/restoring the Grand Stand with new coaches boxes next to the  original stand with the player change rooms in the stand interior.  Possibly re-naming it the Neitz-Murray Stand named after two Melbourne & Fitzroy 300 game greats.

Along Freeman Street (opposite side of ground to the Grand Stand) you could have the admin offices along with a small broadcast center for VFL matches with a scoreboard and possibly a community hub of sorts as well, similar to what Collingwood did with Vic Park to help get the local counsel backing.

On the opposite side of the ground to Brunswick Street (Edinbrough Gradens side) in the opposite forward pocket you could build the player Gym and pool (could probably only fit a 25m one) leaving tree line behind the goals at Edinbrough end while in the other forward pocket at the Edinbrough end you could build the coaches offices/common areas/player meeting area.

Terrace around the rest of the ground for the spectators, I'd hate to think how much it would all cost, but gee what a presence we'd then have there.  Pipe dream maybe, but with a location like that, I reckon it would be a gamble well worth looking at in the very least.

The view from the grand stand is worth it alone. Ah. Ain't dreaming grand (stand)-make it happen Dee's. 

[Demi Dee 578]

1 hour ago, Chris said:

Not a fan of the Brunswick street oval idea, nice place and all but it is hardly in our heartland and is close to traditional Carlton and Collingwood areas. 

If there is no option adjacent to the G, which would be ideal, then our new home needs to be in our heartland and close to the CBD. Somewhere like the South Yarra Cricket ground, Orrong Park, or Toorak park. Both would need mass redevelopment but both are linked to where are supporters are traditionally from, which is inner east and south east, not north of the Yarra. Even somewhere like Fawkner park (although there would be protests about that), or the cricket oval on StKilda road at the end of commercial road would be good. The exposure from StKilda road and Queens way on the last option would be great although the ground is not quite as big as the G. 

The last time the N.N.O.T.Y (never north of the Yarra) offence was used, we ended up in Casey. Besides, North Fitzroy is more 'South of the River' than actually being South of the River. Try telling Fitzroyalty that's it's better on the other side.

Fawkner Park? Really!                            Perhaps our club house could be at Leonda Receptions, or did I give away to much? 

[MadAsHell 4,215]

1 hour ago, Chris said:

Not a fan of the Brunswick street oval idea, nice place and all but it is hardly in our heartland and is close to traditional Carlton and Collingwood areas. 

If there is no option adjacent to the G, which would be ideal, then our new home needs to be in our heartland and close to the CBD. Somewhere like the South Yarra Cricket ground, Orrong Park, or Toorak park. Both would need mass redevelopment but both are linked to where are supporters are traditionally from, which is inner east and south east, not north of the Yarra. Even somewhere like Fawkner park (although there would be protests about that), or the cricket oval on StKilda road at the end of commercial road would be good. The exposure from StKilda road and Queens way on the last option would be great although the ground is not quite as big as the G. 

Toorak Park is certainly in our hearland and would probably cost less to develop then Brunswick st would, i'll give you that.

There's just something a little more nostalgic though about bringing a former VFL ground back to  life and the location (being Brunswick st) would also help with appealing to younger members and help shake some traditional stereo types.

Either result would be good for the club though i feel. In the meantime i'm happy with Casey being a shortwalk from my house.

[Chris 2,892]

1 hour ago, Demi Dee said:

The last time the N.N.O.T.Y (never north of the Yarra) offence was used, we ended up in Casey. Besides, North Fitzroy is more 'South of the River' than actually being South of the River. Try telling Fitzroyalty that's it's better on the other side.

Fawkner Park? Really!                            Perhaps our club house could be at Leonda Receptions, or did I give away to much? 

When we ended up at Casey we also gave up the aliance with Sandy which fits far better with the clubs supporter base. 

Fawkner park could work, there is plenty of space to do as you please and a fair bit of exposure, especially to the corporate StKilda road types. No way in hell it would get past the locals though.

[monoccular 17,573]

4 hours ago, AngryAtCasey said:

Toorak Park is certainly in our hearland and would probably cost less to develop then Brunswick st would, i'll give you that.

There's just something a little more nostalgic though about bringing a former VFL ground back to  life and the location (being Brunswick st) would also help with appealing to younger members and help shake some traditional stereo types.

Either result would be good for the club though i feel. In the meantime i'm happy with Casey being a shortwalk from my house.

Toorak Park ground is pretty good as I recall   However it is currently sed extensively by VAFA I believe    

2 hours ago, Chris said:

When we ended up at Casey we also gave up the aliance with Sandy which fits far better with the clubs supporter base. 

Fawkner park could work, there is plenty of space to do as you please and a fair bit of exposure, especially to the corporate StKilda road types. No way in hell it would get past the locals though.

Fawkner Park wouldn't do for VFL matches with Melbourne Reserves - not fenced and would never get that through Counc and the Greens. 

Does the Flare Throwing League aka A League still use the old South Melbourne facility?  

[MadAsHell 4,215]

3 minutes ago, monoccular said:

Toorak Park ground is pretty good as I recall   However it is currently sed extensively by VAFA I believe    

Fawkner Park wouldn't do for VFL matches with Melbourne Reserves - not fenced and would never get that through Counc and the Greens. 

Does the Flare Throwing League aka A League still use the old South Melbourne facility?  

I think the old Lake Side Oval is now an athletics track that replaced the old Olympic Park.

[Chris 2,892]

1 minute ago, monoccular said:

Toorak Park ground is pretty good as I recall   However it is currently sed extensively by VAFA I believe    

Fawkner Park wouldn't do for VFL matches with Melbourne Reserves - not fenced and would never get that through Counc and the Greens. 

Does the Flare Throwing League aka A League still use the old South Melbourne facility?  

Thats a good thought, actually use the Bob Jane stadium at Albert Park. There may be issues with the existing stand as it would need to come down and I think the roof is heritage listed as it is, I think, the oldest cantilever roof of its size in Oz (or something like that). 

I think the cricket oval at the end of Commercial roadworks but you would need to move the tennis courts next door which would cause issues. 

[Chris 2,892]

The elephant in the room is Junction oval. Cricket has it now but fits the ex VFL ground criteria, fits in our heartland, fits with ability to be developed to suit, fits with potential for exposure. Pity it is now a cricket only venue and off limits. 

[Chris 2,892]

Just read in the paper that their is talk of covering the train line between the g and Melbourne park and putting parks and bars and the like in there. 

I think the club should get on their bike and lobby the state government to help provide a training ground for us in this plan. The area just to the west of the G would do nicely and if the area is used it would give us great publicity. It would also provide us the chance to potentially have all our organisation, including gyms etc within cooee of each other, maybe even under the one roof, and it is essentially based at OUR home. 

Eddie of course will try and stomp all over any such plan but it is about time us and the AFL told him to pull his head in. 

[dee-eee 231]

With only a few percent of Auskick kids following us , surely it is vital that we attempt to replicate Hawthorn's efforts in the Waverley area under Ian Dicker and tap into the fastest growing municipality in the nation, City of Casey .   Rename our VFL team  Casey Scorpions for a start .

[Chris 2,892]

3 hours ago, dee-eee said:

With only a few percent of Auskick kids following us , surely it is vital that we attempt to replicate Hawthorn's efforts in the Waverley area under Ian Dicker and tap into the fastest growing municipality in the nation, City of Casey .   Rename our VFL team  Casey Scorpions for a start .

Do both. The saints tries the same in Seaford and the players and staff hated the drive. Casey would be the same for us. Better to have out home at our home and then have some training and the VFL affilate somewhere like Casey. 

I think the players and staff are pretty soft about the drive, I have worked both in Casey and well south of Seaford while living within 15k or so of the CBD. It is all against traffic and doesn't take that long. I was working in Traralgon while living in Glenhuntly for a while. That travel will do your head in after a while!