2 hours ago, Roost it far said:

You don’t need a stadium for VFL and AFLW

You don't need the MCG but you need a certain minimum level of spectator and basic tv broadcasting facilities. VFL & AFLW don't play at Gosch's Paddock but rather at Casey Fields for a reason.

1 hour ago, picket fence said:

Port Melbourne would be IDEAL. What about Brunswick oval, what about Fitzroys old ground? For some reason a racetrack with a ground in the middle reminds me of Shawshank redemption type facility! hard to navigate!

What's hard about navigating it?

you get off at the train station, walk a few hundred meters to the track, enter through one of the numerous entry points, walk across the track (or perhaps there'll be a tunnel running underneath, not sure) to get to the training ovals. Simples.

21 hours ago, picket fence said:

Ah HUMUNGOUS NO from me re Caulfield

Just NO

Reasons ? Why? 

1 hour ago, BDA said:

What's hard about navigating it?

you get off at the train station, walk a few hundred meters to the track, enter through one of the numerous entry points, walk across the track (or perhaps there'll be a tunnel running underneath, not sure) to get to the training ovals. Simples.

It seems overly complex, there is also a bike track so risk of the players getting hit by bikes and horsies, or horsies riding bikes.

34 minutes ago, 58er said:

Reasons ? Why? 

I don't trust horsies.

3 hours ago, picket fence said:

 a racetrack with a ground in the middle reminds me of Shawshank redemption type facility! hard to navigate!

As long as there's a sign saying...

"This Way to the Bar 👉🏼 "

That will suffice surely

The biggest problem I see with Caulfield (and Casey) as training options is that they are very open and susceptible to wind. This is not ideal for training at the top level given that wind is not a big factor at AFL stadiums. It is hard to run full ground ball movement drills when there is a gale blowing.

I also don't really think the current situation using both Casey and Gosh's Paddock really puts us at a big disadvantage from a performance perspective. We have access to two pristine grounds, pools, spas and gyms. What else do you really need to train an elite athlete? (The other keys being medical, diet and film review but they don't require capital investment.) Casey would be better if we could get some cover and it was closer to the city, but it is it really worth spending so much money to build another Casey Fields closer to the CBD?

As for the argument that we have to cater for four teams now, I would say that the seasons are not all aligned and the AFL team is the only one of those teams that is fully professional (and they train in the morning, while the other teams train in the afternoon).

Personally, I think the biggest reason AFL clubs demand all this money being spent is so that they can show off their facilities to attract free agents/recruits. The government money would be much better spent going back into grass roots football (or other departments like healthcare/education).

Lastly, as for the fans wanting a social club, I think that social clubs are a thing of the past. There are plenty of bars in and around the MCG to celebrate a win and the best place to converse with other MFC supporters is obviously here on Demonland.

^^ Casey might have some ocean wind come off Western Port Bay nearby but I wouldn't say Caulfield is windy.

14 minutes ago, No. 31 said:

^^ Casey might have some ocean wind come off Western Port Bay nearby but I wouldn't say Caulfield is windy.

Surprisingly Caulfield and Cranbourne both have about the same average wind (14 km/h). Neither is that windy, but the openness really make both options not suitable/ideal for AFL programmes. 

29 minutes ago, No. 31 said:

^^ Casey might have some ocean wind come off Western Port Bay nearby but I wouldn't say Caulfield is windy.

Caulfield is always windy when my horse is facing the breeze. 

3 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

Surprisingly Caulfield and Cranbourne both have about the same average wind (14 km/h). Neither is that windy, but the openness really make both options not suitable/ideal for AFL programmes. 

gosch's is also pretty open

the hangar doesn't look very enclosed either

same with arden street

at least most of the old suburban grounds had brick walls around them until they pulled them down for community use reasons

10 hours ago, Roost it far said:

You don’t need a stadium for VFL and AFLW

‘You don’t need a stadium for AFLW…’

What is this pervasive, hypercritical dichotomy we have with AFLW? It isn’t just you RIF, the AFL have literally given them quotas for attendance to expand the season that are higher than the max attendance of the grounds they are forced to play at. 

So while you may glibly say that the AFLW team doesn’t need a grandstand can I respectfully push back and say that I want to take my daughter and son to watch Kate, Tayla, Alyssa, and Eliza in a [censored] covered, seated area.

We can’t grow the game when it’s deliberately stuck in a bottle by those that are purported to be running it.

They may eventually build a tunnel under the track for ground access.

Either way it's a silly reason to call it a deal breaker when they're currently walking to and from Gosch's in their undies.

7 hours ago, layzie said:

They may eventually build a tunnel under the track for ground access.

Either way it's a silly reason to call it a deal breaker when they're currently walking to and from Gosch's in their undies.

No need to worry about that there is already a tunnel to access the inner part of the track. After all we do love a tunnel here in Victoria.

1 hour ago, Dee Viney Intervention said:

No need to worry about that there is already a tunnel to access the inner part of the track. After all we do love a tunnel here in Victoria.

Yep, we love Victoria's big build and won't say a bad word about it. 

9 hours ago, rpfc said:

‘You don’t need a stadium for AFLW…’

What is this pervasive, hypercritical dichotomy we have with AFLW? It isn’t just you RIF, the AFL have literally given them quotas for attendance to expand the season that are higher than the max attendance of the grounds they are forced to play at. 

So while you may glibly say that the AFLW team doesn’t need a grandstand can I respectfully push back and say that I want to take my daughter and son to watch Kate, Tayla, Alyssa, and Eliza in a [censored] covered, seated area.

We can’t grow the game when it’s deliberately stuck in a bottle by those that are purported to be running it.

I’ll take that back. I was referring to an immediate need as opposed to future needs. 

13 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Caulfield is always windy when my horse is facing the breeze. 

That could just be the wind from the horse in front of yours.

2 hours ago, Dee Viney Intervention said:

No need to worry about that there is already a tunnel to access the inner part of the track. After all we do love a tunnel here in Victoria.

Also that tunnel was also for the horses in training to get from the stables to the track.

There are no horses in training there anymore.

I am certain there will also be access from the administration/training facilities to the ovals on non race days.

 

13 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Caulfield is always windy when my horse is facing the breeze. 

It's just a zephyr

7 minutes ago, Redleg said:

That could just be the wind from the horse in front of yours.

Caulfield Racecourse must be one of the windiest places to run around (as a human not a horse). A regular training venue for distance runners particularly Glenthuntly athletes (think the late great Ron Clarke). 
Footballers would get used to windy conditions. Maybe a good thing. 

On 22/04/2024 at 20:44, spirit of norm smith said:

Question.  Is there any club that makes their players drive over an hour to get to training sessions at Cranbourne or sometimes 90 minutes in heavy traffic.  Not sure it’s favourable compared with Cats, Bombers, Pies, Blues training arrangements.  Caulfield would be a perfect location.  Make it happen and like Geelong, made the state government pay for it !!!! 

 

On 23/04/2024 at 05:07, Biffen said:

I like the Caulfield proposal.

Easy for staff and players to get from Toorak ,Brighton,Armidale, Malvern and St.Kilda.(Where they live)

 

can we get a list of all players residence.  a few assumptions being made

Caulfield training base  I’m all in!! Compelling case.  

 

14 hours ago, Dee Zephyr said:

Caulfield is always windy when my horse is facing the breeze. 

You need to find cover from the zephyr, Zephyr

56 minutes ago, hemingway said:

Caulfield Racecourse must be one of the windiest places to run around (as a human not a horse). A regular training venue for distance runners particularly Glenthuntly athletes (think the late great Ron Clarke). 
Footballers would get used to windy conditions. Maybe a good thing. 

If we can arrange training with some dew and high humidity that would be good as well.

43 minutes ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Caulfield training base  I’m all in!! Compelling case.  

 

You’re all in?! You’ve liquidated your assets to put forward into the bid and eventual build?!

Wow. Great work! 🙌

4 hours ago, BangBnagBang said:

 

can we get a list of all players residence.  a few assumptions being made

South Melb,Albert Park,Elwood....

Covered.