1 hour ago, rpfc said:

Supporter access to training is such an imbecilic reason to justify any decision on where our training ground should be.

I am sure most on here and the Club agree with you.

That is not why we are looking at Caulfield.

7 hours ago, poita said:

They also had no ability to run closed training sessions there, although we already have that problem with Gosch's.

Same problem with Casey?

On 07/02/2026 at 20:12, Adam The God said:

Why are we talking about Deakin when the site is right next to Monash Uni? Surely their sports science people can use our buildings from time to time and whack a Monash logo on somewhere, it can be sold as an educational site and help MRC with their debt issues.

I believe that Monash does not have a sports science program….

8 hours ago, rpfc said:

Supporter access to training is such an imbecilic reason to justify any decision on where our training ground should be.

I’m a bloody broken record on this but I have seen a few more think like me lately.

I do not want them to care about ‘the social aspect’ for supporters.

I don’t think ‘co-location’ matters.

Casey is a great facility even if it’s a drive for some. Boo hoo.

And, as an aside, they suits need a lesson from a PR person on when and how to communicate to stakeholders, lest they continue to make a fool of themselves.

How ignorant are some who miss a perfectly obvious point and then rage about some other point that was not present in the initial observation. Sort it out for yourself!

7 hours ago, BangBnagBang said:

This can all be done at either Casey or AMMI

This is the exact reason we don't currently have a home base. The push to be within the MCG's shadow has cost Melbourne numerous opportunity for venue's which have now dried up.

For you I will clarify... I'm talking about using Gosch's rather than Waverley in the interim!!!!!!!!!

18 minutes ago, waynewussell said:

For you I will clarify... I'm talking about using Gosch's rather than Waverley in the interim!!!!!!!!!

Even with Gosch, admin are still completely separated from the football department.

They're all based out at the G.

One big factor of Waverly is being able to have both admin and footy department all under the same roof.

With that as well, we wont need to share gyn facilities anymore with Storm and Melbourne Victory.

I like the Waverley move and thinks it makes a lot of sense.

This isnt about what's best for supporters but more so being somewhere where we're able to finally fit somewhere as a footy club as a whole.

I'm shocked by the number of posters who mistook my support for Gosch's Paddock as an example of clinging on to the forlorn hope of having a homebase near the MCG! My comments about Gosch's Paddock were in relation to a proposed move to Waverley, which I abhor. I clearly stated that my preference is to remain at Gosch's "until a perfect replacement is identified, funded and built!". I hope that turns out to be Caulfield. Remember those old High School exercises called Comprehension? Well, ....

Edited February 9Feb 9 by waynewussell

3 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

being somewhere where we're able to finally fit somewhere as a footy club as a whole.

It's doubtful we will be able to fit...that's why Hawthorn left.

4 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

we wont need to share gyn facilities anymore

Not sure on this but someone mentioned gym facilities are shared with the community.

If that's the case it's probably better to share with other professional organisations.

7 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

able to have both admin and footy department all under the same roof.

Is this really that important??? if only for a few more years then surely not...and it's not as though they are a great distance away. A quick walk over the bridge.

The big issue I have with Waverley is I would only accept it as an interim with Caulfield signed off, and even the can't really see the point.

It looks like smoke and mirrors to me.

2 minutes ago, rjay said:

The big issue I have with Waverley is I would only accept it as an interim with Caulfield signed off, and even the can't really see the point.

It looks like smoke and mirrors to me.

rjay, this is similar to the point I was making... except I prefer Gosch's in the interim.

1 minute ago, waynewussell said:

rjay, this is similar to the point I was making... except I prefer Gosch's in the interim.

Same, 'wayne'...I can't see the point in moving from Gosch's if it's only an interim move.

21 minutes ago, rjay said:

Same, 'wayne'...I can't see the point in moving from Gosch's if it's only an interim move.

Particularly after the club were happy to take supporter $$ to get Gosch’s extended to MCG sized. If I recall correctly, Peter Lawrence put up ~$100k.

Really, an administrative head quarters.

This is 2026, folk work from home utilising computer networks.

No need for rows of desks, and the massive overheads.

This is just madness, living in the seventies.

It’s clear to me that Smith and Guerra are not living in the modern digital world.

Will they still hold board meetings on site with canapés and the liquor cabinet.

Ever hear of Zoom.

Has anybody heard from these people, not likely, not likely.

2 hours ago, Grr-owl said:

I believe that Monash does not have a sports science program….

They definitely do.

EDF3093 - Advanced sport and exercise science - Monash University

11 hours ago, waynewussell said:

I think the current arrangement at Gosch's is painfully underestimated by most here. A training ground in the heart of this city's sports precinct which is just a short walk from modern gym facilities is respectable, to say the least! Access to training for supporters is sensational! I hope to never set foot on the Waverley complex for the rest of my living days! I want us to continue the Gosch's arrangement until a perfect replacement is identified, funded and built! Vive la Paddock!

Gosch paddock .. paddock says it all its sub par as AAMI facilities are shared with soccer & league, we got kicked off when the womens soccer tournament…

1 hour ago, rjay said:

It's doubtful we will be able to fit...that's why Hawthorn left.

Not sure on this but someone mentioned gym facilities are shared with the community.

If that's the case it's probably better to share with other professional organisations.

Is this really that important??? if only for a few more years then surely not...and it's not as though they are a great distance away. A quick walk over the bridge.

The big issue I have with Waverley is I would only accept it as an interim with Caulfield signed off, and even the can't really see the point.

It looks like smoke and mirrors to me.

Pretty sure public gym facilities Waverleyis downstairs where as the footy one is upstairs.

1 hour ago, rjay said:

It's doubtful we will be able to fit...that's why Hawthorn left.

Not sure on this but someone mentioned gym facilities are shared with the community.

If that's the case it's probably better to share with other professional organisations.

Is this really that important??? if only for a few more years then surely not...and it's not as though they are a great distance away. A quick walk over the bridge.

The big issue I have with Waverley is I would only accept it as an interim with Caulfield signed off, and even the can't really see the point.

It looks like smoke and mirrors to me.

Whether its important to us or not is irrelevant. Guerra and co see it as important which is why I think they want to use Waverley as the interim option.

AFL article late 2025.

The Demons have toured Waverley's facilities since Hawthorn vacated its base and the ground was purchased by the AFL, and have been weighing up using it as a new headquarters.

But Melbourne chief executive Paul Guerra told AFL.com.au on Monday the club's focus remained largely on its plans for Caulfield Racecourse and that suggestions the Demons could shift to Waverley in the New Year were premature.

He said the club had been investigating possible shorter-term options, which included Waverley, but the bulk of its work has remained on Caulfield as a destination for its new training and administration facility as the club continues on a decade-long search for a new base.

Edited February 9Feb 9 by dazzledavey36

Randomly came across this article from way back in 2018.

Fox Sports

Melbourne Football Club considering new training facility...

Exclusive: Dees’ bold plan for new, elite facility

..

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

but the bulk of its work has remained on Caulfield as a destination for its new training and administration facility as the club continues on a decade-long search for a new base.

1 hour ago, dazzledavey36 said:

Randomly came across this article from way back in 2018.

Fox Sports

Melbourne Football Club considering new training facility...

Exclusive: Dees’ bold plan for new, elite facility

..

This is what concerns me 'dazzle'...we talk a good story but never deliver.

The Age reports this morning that the Government will release its re-zoning rules for areas like Caulfield today. The article has a map that details the designated land use for each area. If the new home base is to go ahead, there is only one piece of land classified as non-residential general use - the south-east corner of the Caulfield race course reserve.

Edited February 10Feb 10 by Blind_turn

19 minutes ago, Blind_turn said:

The Age reports this morning that the Government will release its re-zoning rules for areas like Caulfield today. The article has a map that details the designated land use for each area. If the new home base is to go ahead, there is only one piece of land classified as non-residential general use - the south-east corner of the Caulfield race course reserve.

What about the north west corner, where the "Caulfield" sign is? Or is that the train station?

13 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

What about the north west corner, where the "Caulfield" sign is? Or is that the train station?

I think that's Monash Uni?

Edited February 10Feb 10 by Mickey

On 09/02/2026 at 11:06, waynewussell said:

I think the current arrangement at Gosch's is painfully underestimated by most here. A training ground in the heart of this city's sports precinct which is just a short walk from modern gym facilities is respectable, to say the least! Access to training for supporters is sensational! I hope to never set foot on the Waverley complex for the rest of my living days! I want us to continue the Gosch's arrangement until a perfect replacement is identified, funded and built! Vive la Paddock!

You are missing the piont it is a public not private facility! Whats to stop someone walking fido during training??

Edited February 10Feb 10 by picket fence

5 hours ago, picket fence said:

You are missing the piont it is a public not private facility! Whats to stop someone walking fido during training??

PF, isnt that the same as Caulfield, most of it is public land with a dog walking track in the middle.

Out of the frying pan into the fire.

7 hours ago, Blind_turn said:

The Age reports this morning that the Government will release its re-zoning rules for areas like Caulfield today. The article has a map that details the designated land use for each area. If the new home base is to go ahead, there is only one piece of land classified as non-residential general use - the south-east corner of the Caulfield race course reserve.

Very interesting - that's exactly where we want to be - south-east corner. Closer to Glenhuntly station than Caulfield.

7 hours ago, Blind_turn said:

The Age reports this morning that the Government will release its re-zoning rules for areas like Caulfield today. The article has a map that details the designated land use for each area. If the new home base is to go ahead, there is only one piece of land classified as non-residential general use - the south-east corner of the Caulfield race course reserve.

Isn't that where Glen Eira College and Glenhuntly Park Footy ground currently is?