Melbourne Demons’ Caulfield deal closer to dead than done

Betsy

@betsy_com_au

·

3h

Melbourne Football Club’s public stance they are moving closer to a deal to train at Caulfield has been described as ‘’fanciful’’.

Betsy recently wrote about how a deal between the Melbourne Football Club,

the Melbourne Racing Club and the Caulfield Trust who manages the racecourse precinct is in trouble.

The football club wants a $100m training complex built on the site.

There are many issues that threaten to scupper the deal – the main being the football club’s insistence a tunnel is built underneath the racetrack [which would shut racing down for at least a year], not to mention an unwillingness to share an administration facility.

Running the football club’s process is Racing Victoria board member Paul Guerra, who is also the Melbourne Football Cub CEO.

There are serious fractures emerging on the racing side of the deal – many at the MRC have dwindling interest in sharing the site with the football club.

Which is why comments from Guerra on SEN on Tuesday caught the interest of many within racing.

“We are close to what we ever have been before (with Caulfield) but still not close enough to announce. But when we can, that will become the new home for Melbourne Football Club,’’ he told SEN.

“We always look at alternates. Once we’ve announced Caulfield – the negotiations are at a delicate stage – we can then start to look at how long is it going to take us to move into Caulfield by the time we get approvals and then build. Then what might be available in the interim.”

Close? Closer to dead than happening, is how one insider described the situation. The definitive nature of Guerra’s remarks caught a few by surprise. While a few in the footy world may see it as a given, many in government and racing do not.

Those who we spoke to yesterday described the comments as ‘’desperate’’, another described the remarks as ‘’fanciful’’. Racing powerbrokers remain unconvinced football should come to Caulfield.

There haven’t been any discussions since

Betsy revealed how far apart the parties are.

But while the football club’s feasibility study may be close to release, the reality is that there is little chance of any Sherrin’s being kicked at Caulfield in the medium term.

2 hours ago, Lucifers Hero said:

This thread https://demonland.com/forums/topic/66964-exclusive-interview-with-paul-guerra-steven-king-steven-smith/#comment-2756682 makes a strong case for the whole club being in one location.

Management and the Board would have been closer to what was happening in the FD and the locker room rather than having it filtered by the coach, GMFD, CEO.

Been the nemesis of this club for 60yrs.. sitting in their ivory tower at G they wouldn’t have a feel of what’s going on at AAMi let alone at Casey, the messaging by Guerra on Trac & Oliver then backflip reinforces the disconnection

5 hours ago, Undisputed said:

There are many issues that threaten to scupper the deal – the main being the football club’s insistence a tunnel is built underneath the racetrack [which would shut racing down for at least a year],

Sounds like Betsy wants to dig it themselves with a garden spade. Otherwise still, BS.

BetSy

I don't think there is any doubt that Betsy are a media mouth-piece for the MRC.

3 minutes ago, Dannyz said:

I don't think there is any doubt that Betsy are a media mouth-piece for the MRC.

Definitely a smear campaign.... and not hard to figure what they're using 😉

19 hours ago, picket fence said:

Waverley only option, Caulfield DEAD IN THE WATER!

WE HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME!!!!! 😘

6 hours ago, Undisputed said:

Melbourne Demons’ Caulfield deal closer to dead than done

Betsy

@betsy_com_au

·

3h

Melbourne Football Club’s public stance they are moving closer to a deal to train at Caulfield has been described as ‘’fanciful’’.

Betsy recently wrote about how a deal between the Melbourne Football Club,

the Melbourne Racing Club and the Caulfield Trust who manages the racecourse precinct is in trouble.

The football club wants a $100m training complex built on the site.

There are many issues that threaten to scupper the deal – the main being the football club’s insistence a tunnel is built underneath the racetrack [which would shut racing down for at least a year], not to mention an unwillingness to share an administration facility.

Running the football club’s process is Racing Victoria board member Paul Guerra, who is also the Melbourne Football Cub CEO.

There are serious fractures emerging on the racing side of the deal – many at the MRC have dwindling interest in sharing the site with the football club.

Which is why comments from Guerra on SEN on Tuesday caught the interest of many within racing.

“We are close to what we ever have been before (with Caulfield) but still not close enough to announce. But when we can, that will become the new home for Melbourne Football Club,’’ he told SEN.

“We always look at alternates. Once we’ve announced Caulfield – the negotiations are at a delicate stage – we can then start to look at how long is it going to take us to move into Caulfield by the time we get approvals and then build. Then what might be available in the interim.”

Close? Closer to dead than happening, is how one insider described the situation. The definitive nature of Guerra’s remarks caught a few by surprise. While a few in the footy world may see it as a given, many in government and racing do not.

Those who we spoke to yesterday described the comments as ‘’desperate’’, another described the remarks as ‘’fanciful’’. Racing powerbrokers remain unconvinced football should come to Caulfield.

There haven’t been any discussions since

Betsy revealed how far apart the parties are.

But while the football club’s feasibility study may be close to release, the reality is that there is little chance of any Sherrin’s being kicked at Caulfield in the medium term.

Betsy is probably some AI bot being used to unsettle all and Sundry, why else wouldn’t they Quote the actual person making the statements, Vs Quoting Paul Guera. Rhubarb I say bloody Rhubarb and nonsense, call them out, make someone on the other side Justify their position, not some bloody Betsy. I would prefer to hear from Karen.

Maybe the MRC should stick to what they do best. Exploit animals.

I hate to tell you I told you so, so....I won't say it!

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

I hate to tell you I told you so, so....I won't say it!

Hate to tell you PF but you've been sucked in mate. You're just believing the 'invented' hurdle. Do you know anything about Civil (Engineering) ... do you really think they'd have to stop racing for a year ? Do you know what's involved with a fn pedestrian tunnel ...even if it requires emergency vehicle access ?? Do you ? I DO .

This is nothing but smoke and mirrors.

Will Caulfield go ahead 🤔🤷 Tbh i dont have a clue. We aren't actually being told sfa. But is it about a tunnel ? Nfw!! Is all this about some fw at the MRC ? For sure

Just a silly question for anyone to ponder. Ive no idea what Guera and Smith really get up to... but I'm sure neither are going to want to wantingly pin themselves to an.idea that wont float. They'd both be piped out quicker than you might imagine.

So imho

..this is still a goer but there are massive shenanigans at play.

You really have to wonder why. But that might be THE clue as to what all.of this is really about.

It ain't over til Helga starts warbling...

3 hours ago, beelzebub said:

It ain't over til Helga starts warbling...

Singing bread? Now that is something I haven't seen before ... 😄

15 hours ago, Undisputed said:

Melbourne Demons’ Caulfield deal closer to dead than done

Betsy

@betsy_com_au

Those who we spoke to yesterday described the comments as ‘’desperate’’, another described the remarks as ‘’fanciful’’. Racing powerbrokers remain unconvinced football should come to Caulfield.

There haven’t been any discussions since

Betsy revealed how far apart the parties are.

But while the football club’s feasibility study may be close to release, the reality is that there is little chance of any Sherrin’s being kicked at Caulfield in the medium term.

Interesting the only named individual to appear in this is Guerra.

'Those they spoke to yesterday' could be the horse poop collectors.

A tunnel could be built during winter using prefab segments with minimal disruption to the racing calendar, minimal construction using cut and cover technique. Tunnel would need to be large enough for delivery vehicles and cars. So I don't think this is any reason to inhibit the project. Other things at play. Racecourse is barely used for racing, some horses stabled there for training, but the facilities and track are barely used for 250 days of the year, bit of a millstone. If the facilities were built it would give the racing authorities the option to say you can't close us down we are a multi purpose stadium. Just an opinion.

17 minutes ago, Viscount Cardwell said:

A tunnel could be built during winter using prefab segments with minimal disruption to the racing calendar, minimal construction using cut and cover technique. Tunnel would need to be large enough for delivery vehicles and cars. So I don't think this is any reason to inhibit the project. Other things at play. Racecourse is barely used for racing, some horses stabled there for training, but the facilities and track are barely used for 250 days of the year, bit of a millstone. If the facilities were built it would give the racing authorities the option to say you can't close us down we are a multi purpose stadium. Just an opinion.

There are no more horses stabled at Caulfield.

Correct that you could build a tunnel during winter, move any poor attended meeting to Sandown, then at worst lose only one if any, ordinary race meeting at Caulfield.

They also own Mornington and do move meetings to there occasionally too.

So disruption to Caulfield racing is a furphy.

Edited Saturday at 00:384 days by Redleg

23 hours ago, DeeZone said:

Betsy is probably some AI bot being used to unsettle all and Sundry, why else wouldn’t they Quote the actual person making the statements, Vs Quoting Paul Guera. Rhubarb I say bloody Rhubarb and nonsense, call them out, make someone on the other side Justify their position, not some bloody Betsy. I would prefer to hear from Karen.

no, it's a pro-racing industry proponent

it has vested interests, to say the least

meanwhile, fisherman's bend was first proposed as a conversion from industrial about 15 years ago - the tram line to / from it is at least 20 years away from being developed, with no business case proposed, as is the same with the bridge connecting it to the city

90% of the land in it is privately owned - good luck getting developers to commit to open space when they can make money on it instead

5 hours ago, Redleg said:

There are no more horses stabled at Caulfield.

Correct that you could build a tunnel during winter, move any poor attended meeting to Sandown, then at worst lose only one if any, ordinary race meeting at Caulfield.

They also own Mornington and do move meetings to there occasionally too.

So disruption to Caulfield racing is a furphy.

Just for the moment well set aside the LIE that a tunnel disrupts for a year.

I truly fail to see how any development would actually impact let alone stop any racing.

Whoever is pushing this 🐂💩 needs to be called out, named and shamed.

22 hours ago, Redleg said:

There are no more horses stabled at Caulfield.

Correct that you could build a tunnel during winter, move any poor attended meeting to Sandown, then at worst lose only one if any, ordinary race meeting at Caulfield.

They also own Mornington and do move meetings to there occasionally too.

So disruption to Caulfield racing is a furphy.

Been 30 years since I've been to caufield when they used to board horses, glad to be updated. Cheers

The racing course holds, race meetings, race trials, and jump outs and course closures.

Tunnel operational staff also need to be considered.

Our tunnel will require cameras and monitoring , and will be subject to the worldwide guidelines requiring air quality to be monitored with gas sensors; gas leaks even though modern, fuel-efficient vehicles emit significantly less toxic gases .

Fire alarms, and ventilation systems require monitoring and evacuation planning.

Pumping equipment requires upkeep and management, in case of deluge and water pouring in through both ends.

Let’s not kid ourselves, The project is very significant, requiring both on going management and security and safety details.

2 hours ago, bluey said:

The racing course holds, race meetings, race trials, and jump outs and course closures.

Tunnel operational staff also need to be considered.

Our tunnel will require cameras and monitoring , and will be subject to the worldwide guidelines requiring air quality to be monitored with gas sensors; gas leaks even though modern, fuel-efficient vehicles emit significantly less toxic gases .

Fire alarms, and ventilation systems require monitoring and evacuation planning.

Pumping equipment requires upkeep and management, in case of deluge and water pouring in through both ends.

Let’s not kid ourselves, The project is very significant, requiring both on going management and security and safety details.

No trials or jump outs at Caulfield.

No tunnel staff needed.

Love your post Bluey.

On 10/03/2026 at 18:58, Mouseymoo said:

Hawthorn did OK there. Stop winging.

Artic park! Why do you think they wanted to leave because it ain't good.

6 hours ago, bluey said:

The racing course holds, race meetings, race trials, and jump outs and course closures.

Tunnel operational staff also need to be considered.

Our tunnel will require cameras and monitoring , and will be subject to the worldwide guidelines requiring air quality to be monitored with gas sensors; gas leaks even though modern, fuel-efficient vehicles emit significantly less toxic gases .

Fire alarms, and ventilation systems require monitoring and evacuation planning.

Pumping equipment requires upkeep and management, in case of deluge and water pouring in through both ends.

Let’s not kid ourselves, The project is very significant, requiring both on going management and security and safety details.

Comedy Gold 👏

21 minutes ago, beelzebub said:

Comedy Gold 👏

We will also require SAS to patrol the tunnel for possible Magpie attacks.

SAS don’t come cheap.

2 hours ago, Mgdee said:

We will also require SAS to patrol the tunnel for possible Magpie attacks.

SAS don’t come cheap.

2 hours ago, Mgdee said:

We will also require SAS to patrol the tunnel for possible Magpie attacks.

SAS don’t come cheap.

That’s very funny, obviously for safety and accountability we will require a swipe card system to be installed for entry and exit.

We don’t want drunken race goers utilising our tunnel for purposes it wasn’t designed for.

10 hours ago, bluey said:

That’s very funny, obviously for safety and accountability we will require a swipe card system to be installed for entry and exit.

We don’t want drunken race goers utilising our tunnel for purposes it wasn’t designed for.

rubbish, bluey

the south east tunnel will be part of the community recreational aspect of the mfc proposal to be shared by the mfc and the community.

if you do your homework you will see that the council has long had a tunnel there in their community strategic plan for the area.