10 minutes ago, Demonstone said:

My dear old grandfather was very familiar with turf.  He smoked about 30 of them a day.

I have a metal case they came in way back when. I think you put the cigs from a cardboard pack into the metal case. No filters from memory. 

22 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

The MCG and Docklands use eclipse stabilised turf, so wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what we’re going for. Which means we could be training back at Gosch’s very soon.

The ultimate benefit of the system is its ability to perform to international sports standards immediately after installation

https://www.hgturfgroup.com.au/projects/melbourne-cricket-ground

Thanks DD, appreciate the link.

14 minutes ago, Mickey said:

And ready for an ODI 5 days after installation. Wowsa

I noticed this as well Mickey, amazing if true.

When we completed ours in Mildura to rolls of turf were gigantic and need a forklift to move them. Not quite like the little 2m x 50cm rolls I personally grab to patch my backyard, these bad boys were massive with a few lads required to roll each one out.

Even with these huge rolls laid as close together as possible there was still movement until all the grass roots established.  Plus, they had to drop dress with a loam as a few gaps and low points appeared a month or so after using the reel mower.

I have only been to Casey Fields once and although it was a pain in backside getting there, I'd rather us finish the year training there on the immaculate oval rather than run the gauntlet at Goschs.  

3 hours ago, roy11 said:

Drove by this morning and they had rolled out grass on half the ground at this stage

Guess that Mid/Late May Date seems on target. 

Saw that today as well 

Half the ground done. Likely to be ready for action after it beds down in 4 or 5 weeks I would think.

4 hours ago, Webber said:

And yet we all sooooo want to see a pic of your lawn.

At the onset of winter dormancy………….I think not. Ask me again during September 😜

33 minutes ago, jnrmac said:

Saw that today as well 

Half the ground done. Likely to be ready for action after it beds down in 4 or 5 weeks I would think.

Talked to the groundsmen. 

I asked, "maybe 8 weeks"!

He said, "if um".

 I said,"12 weeks", the reply was, "needs warm weather and some sun". Could be longer.

 

They let me back into Oz after 3 1/2 years.

From a track watcher.

Go Dees.

 

 

21 minutes ago, kev martin said:

Talked to the groundsmen. 

I asked, "maybe 8 weeks"!

He said, "if um".

 I said,"12 weeks", the reply was, "needs warm weather and some sun". Could be longer.

Might need to borrow those UV heat lights they use at Marvel and the G to keep the turf growing during winter

Edited April 29, 20222 yr by Demon Disciple

58 minutes ago, kev martin said:

Talked to the groundsmen. 

I asked, "maybe 8 weeks"!

He said, "if um".

 I said,"12 weeks", the reply was, "needs warm weather and some sun". Could be longer.

 

Thanks Kev, this is great.

When the similar project was completed here in Mildura, we were coming into summer with some standard local 40+ degree days forecasted.  The sprinklers were on daily keeping it going.

I'm pretty sure there was a strict 12 week period where people weren't allowed on it and even after this, it still required a fair bit of top dressing to even it out.

6 months on and our facility is absolutely immaculate.  I'm sure that's what they're going to achieve here, make it the best of the best.

I said earlier in the thread, I'd be shocked if we were to get on it this year and would rather we didn't.  It's just not worth the risk on ankles and knees.

Edited April 29, 20222 yr by Deeko2

4 minutes ago, Deeko2 said:

I'm pretty sure there was a strict 12 week period where people weren't allowed on it and even after this, it still required a fair bit of top dressing to even it out.
 

I dare say it will take longer than 12 weeks to really establish, given we’re on the cusp of winter. I would’ve thought the surface would be cherry ripe for practice at the beginning of the 2023 pre-season

Edited April 29, 20222 yr by Demon Disciple

38 minutes ago, Demon Disciple said:

I dare say it will take longer than 12 weeks to really establish, given we’re on the cusp of winter. I would’ve thought the surface would be cherry ripe for practice at the beginning of the 2023 pre-season

… especially if our preseason were to start 4 weeks after the also rans 🤗❤️💙❤️💙

1 hour ago, monoccular said:

… especially if our preseason were to start 4 weeks after the also rans 🤗❤️💙❤️💙

5 weeks these days. mono 😁

Got some good ‘watering in’ last night! 

20 hours ago, kev martin said:

Talked to the groundsmen. 

I asked, "maybe 8 weeks"!

He said, "if um".

 I said,"12 weeks", the reply was, "needs warm weather and some sun". Could be longer.

 

 

Hopefully the groundsman isn't the same person who provides the injury updates.   Could be 2024.......

I see a story in today's HUN about the state budget tomorrow and money being allocated for improvements to the MCG. If we do not score in  this budget I will assume the project is the BS file. It is well and truely time to put up. 

The money allocated is to rebuild the Shane Warne stand, and build a hotel behind it.

Nothing for MFC training ground.

30 minutes ago, bluey said:

The money allocated is to rebuild the Shane Warne stand, and build a hotel behind it.

Nothing for MFC training ground.

Maybe it will all go in there. There was talk of that some years ago. 

In the foyer?

Edited May 1, 20222 yr by bluey

I also heard about this news.

A $1 billion dollar upgrade of the MCG.

Here is the link: https://www.triplem.com.au/story/a-1-billion-upgrade-of-the-mcg-is-on-the-table-194831

I don't know how just a 5 star hotel and an upgrade to the newly named Shane Warne Stand with an increase in the amount of seating at the MCG will cost $1 billion dollars?! Are we putting a roof on the MCG too?! 

Anyway, I understand that the money will belong to the MCC but you would think some of that could go towards the MFC too? We are supposed to be realigned with them afterall?

 

In the end, I am just hopeful we can eventually get a training and administration home base built that we don't need to share with anyone else at Gosch's Paddock. If that means that we as Melbourne supporters have to chip in and pay for it ourselves then so be it. Particularly as it looks like nobody else will!

Please make this happen. It would solve all our problems. A new training ground, space for admin and a social club...and get those ferals far away from us.

PS: Won't happen.

On 4/29/2022 at 1:57 PM, kev martin said:

Talked to the groundsmen. 

I asked, "maybe 8 weeks"!

He said, "if um".

 I said,"12 weeks", the reply was, "needs warm weather and some sun". Could be longer.

 

They let me back into Oz after 3 1/2 years.

From a track watcher.

Go Dees.

 

 

Welcome back Kev, I always enjoyed your track watching reports.

Thanks for sharing this too....

Went past Gosch's today, looks fantastic! (Progress considered). Grass looks to be all in, sprinklers were on (good sign surely?), and I don't really remember the plans but looks to be a neat space down the southern end that could be used for (very very small) facilities, could always just be a site office area though. Wonder if they're putting in toilets or a playground or the like? Don't remember the plans tbh.

Anyways, it looks in great nick and coming along beautifully.

need more pics

27 minutes ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Please make this happen. It would solve all our problems. A new training ground, space for admin and a social club...and get those ferals far away from us.

PS: Won't happen.

I know it won't happen, but theoretically where would they go?

6 minutes ago, roy11 said:

I know it won't happen, but theoretically where would they go?

As you say, they're not leaving. The site is worth nothing if they walk away.

Why would the council be concerned if they left. It's all limited use parkland and would be a lovely addition to the precinct.

Always thought the request to knock down the historic stand was a no goer

Edited May 2, 20222 yr by Diamond_Jim