silly idea... would be a waste of time... if there is going to be a suburban ground revamped to cater for smaller crowds it would be optus oval... remember the crowds we drew when we were forced to play home games there? not going to happen... the AFL take ownership of the dome in 17 years, which would make this new stadium obselete, as it will then be affordable for clubs to play at the dome with small crowds...

silly idea... would be a waste of time... if there is going to be a suburban ground revamped to cater for smaller crowds it would be optus oval... remember the crowds we drew when we were forced to play home games there? not going to happen... the AFL take ownership of the dome in 17 years, which would make this new stadium obselete, as it will then be affordable for clubs to play at the dome with small crowds...

????????????

I have no idea what you are saying. p.s Optarse oval is as suburban as the Music Bowl, and tere is a huge shift to the S.E. side.

Do you live near Optarse??

Should have done something like this years ago.

It would suit me perfectly living on the Mornington Peninsula

And refer Condemned above.

Only concerned about themselves and the vacinity to get to the venue.

You are ging to love it when they are in fuckin' Siberia!

Optus Oval ISNT a suburban ground..its URBAN !! its not sitting in any growth corridor...the AFL is looking forward...its all it does !! ffs !! lol

17 years is a while !!

Ive sensed a shift in the force !! The AFL might be open to a new era 'waverley" ..its all about numbers !!

18 teams means more games.. thats more games in Melb too !! more to this than meets the eye

edit :

lol..didnt see ya stuff redfin !! snap!!

silly idea... would be a waste of time... if there is going to be a suburban ground revamped to cater for smaller crowds it would be optus oval... remember the crowds we drew when we were forced to play home games there? not going to happen... the AFL take ownership of the dome in 17 years, which would make this new stadium obselete, as it will then be affordable for clubs to play at the dome with small crowds...

It doesn't matter who owns the Dome in 17 years time - it will still be more viable to run matches drawing small crowds at a boutique stadium.

It would take at least 5 years for a boutique stadium to be built at Casey Fields; a large project like a stadium takes a considerable time to gain funding, design it and then build it. During that time of course the Demons would be able to penetrate the growth area to gain additional supporters.

If a training base was established at Casey Fields for next summer, it would be the base for 2009 and possibly 2010 (the Rectangular Stafdium is currently scheduled for completion in late 2009 - do you know a major state project which has finished on time?). For a stadium to be even contempleted at Casey Fields there would have to be an AFL team based there.

The 18 team comp commences in 2012, and there will be extra matches to be accomodated in Melbourne. Unless the Dome goes to a synthetic surface, there will be a limit to the number of games which can be played there. The crowd/costs comparison still works to the advantage of a new boutique stadium.

There's all sorts of reasons which can make this project a reality and MFC a successful growth area based club.

But it would take vision, commitment and energy to make it happen.

One of my biggest concerns with this is that we've pumped a lot of time and money in the Olympic park project, we have been told that this will make all the difference on and off the field. I don't think this is an entirely stupid idea, and we certainly need to look outside the box to stay alive, but i need to know that this investment hasn't been for nothing.

The MCG needs to remain our home IMO, but this is a possibility to force ourselves into a growning area and still stay in Victoria.

Casey Fields (sic) is a looong way from hosting AFL games.It would need tens of millions of dollars spent on it to get to anywhere near the standard expected.

It could be a good training ground for the MFC although a long way from the CBD but a better option maybe Moorabbin when St Kilda shift to Frankston.

One of my biggest concerns with this is that we've pumped a lot of time and money in the Olympic park project, we have been told that this will make all the difference on and off the field. I don't think this is an entirely stupid idea, and we certainly need to look outside the box to stay alive, but i need to know that this investment hasn't been for nothing.

The MCG needs to remain our home IMO, but this is a possibility to force ourselves into a growning area and still stay in Victoria.

Certainly a lot of time and emotional energy has been pumped into the Rectangular Stadium proposal. But I wonder how much money has been (by MFC).

A relocation to Casey Fields as an admin & training base (and possibly a future boutique stadium for some small drawing fixtures) would still see the Demons as primarily MCG based for matches .

Certainly a lot of time and emotional energy has been pumped into the Rectangular Stadium proposal. But I wonder how much money has been (by MFC).

A relocation to Casey Fields as an admin & training base (and possibly a future boutique stadium for some small drawing fixtures) would still see the Demons as primarily MCG based for matches .

Two separate issues. Do the deal for a summer training base, for at least the next two years & then review the arrangement when Olympic Park comes on line. It may be in the club's interest to have the summer arrangement ongoing. If the club wants to develop a presence in the area, get out there a few times this year to start it off. Put on a few clinics during the next school holidays. Send players around schools in the region as well. Have training at times where kids can come & watch & maybe, have a kick after training with some of the players. While the area is growing rapidly it's also got more than its fair share of families battling "no deposit" mortgages. If the club wants anything more than a training base from the exercise, the first thing they should be trying to get is the hearts & minds of potential young fans rather than making a quid.

As for playing games at Casey, we should steer well clear of any involvment. That's a council / AFL debate which, if it ever gets legs, will escalate to State govt level. It will be all about infrastructure and given that after 150 years we still have none, we should leave the interested parties to it. It will be a money pit.

They are certainly separate issues; in fact there are three issues:

• a summer training base
• a fulltime relocation
• matches

The last is obviously the most difficult to envisage and achieve, and would remain only a bluesky possibility for some time. However, I would say is it could only ever happen if there was an AFL club based there.

I couldn't see the Council having the funds or inclination to fund a stadium - it would have to be primarily funded by the AFL and the State Government (like Skilled Stadium was).

But it is exciting thinking about the possibilities! And not unrealistic.

Summer training base? Good idea.

If they develop it into a 20,000 seat stadium i'd rather the Demons played at Casey Fields than at the 'Gabba or Manuka.

I don't knwo the details but we get a significant chunk of money for the sold-off home game - perhaps by playing at Casey we would have the added bonus of not frittering away that chunk of money by having to pay the AFL to hold games at the MCG? If only 20,000 supporters turn up it makes no sense to be playing at the MCG where we will continually lose money until we die.

In other words, if we can't get supporters to come back to our games, it's an option.

If they develop it into a 20,000 seat stadium i'd rather the Demons played at Casey Fields than at the 'Gabba or Manuka.

Correct. Play Freo, Port, Adelaide and Brisbane at a 20K capacity fully ticketed developed Casey Fields. We would still have around 10 games at the 'g', no home games at the Docklands and develop a small home ground advantage simular to the Hawks at Aurora.

This is the type of thinking required for our club to survive by lessening our dependance on MCC / AFL handouts.

Make it happen.

They are certainly separate issues; in fact there are three issues:

• a summer training base

Its already happening

a fulltime relocation

No.. the base will be at Bubbledome

matchesThe last is obviously the most difficult to envisage and achieve, and would remain only a bluesky possibility for some time. However, I would say is it could only ever happen if there was an AFL club based there.

I couldn't see the Council having the funds or inclination to fund a stadium - it would have to be primarily funded by the AFL and the State Government (like Skilled Stadium was).

But it is exciting thinking about the possibilities! And not unrealistic.

This last is the curious one all of a sudden. It has a "waverley " feel to it. Just as long as it doent have the "Artic atmosphere like last time..lol.

The 'middle' of Melbourne has shifted again, and the growth regions are certainly either to the N, NW of the cbd and the largest to happen in the SE. Melbournes population is forecast to grow by approx a Million inside of 20 years.. half being in the SE.

New members by their very description are not ones we've brought back to the fold...they are created. A presence in a growth corridor would atract some by and of, if nothing else proximity. Macca ought to take such things into considertion going forward..Only X number of folk can possibly come from Melbourne, that is Melbourne itself, what used to be known as the "melbourne " territory. There are thousands more potential froma long ways down the road!!

Any playing at such a locale would as others already realise be years away but such an idea may not be entirely off limits from the AFL. The AFL is inthe same game, building business. where new territories open it needs to fly the flag...or lose ground to other codes. The AFL is on a crusade nationally to do so.Id be very surpsied if it would allow another code to get a jump on it in its own back yard.

I must say its a curious development. I dont think its going to disappear as a 5 min wonder either. MFC needs allies.. here's a ready made one.. In the inimitable words of Mitsubishi.... PLEASE CONSIDER

As a summer training base I see it as a very sensible option. As for moving administration and games, that is a long way off, maybe never. I simply can't see Casey having, or getting, the amount of money nescessary to bring the facilities up to scratch for an AFL match. From what I saw of the ground on my one visit there, it has an excellent, good sized, surface.

We will not leave the MCG precinct, but a secondary home, particularly during January when the tennis is on, makes a lot of sense. This may be a stumbling block, but, Casey must realise that AFL games are a bridge too far.

A consideration .... The AFL is , I think, now quite happy to consider a second tier ( if you would ) of Stadia. Locales such as Manuka, Aurora , Carrara are not 'big' places !!

This may not be quite the brisdge too far... agreed a ways off.. but possibly in sight it might not be for us. But Casey might have something here...but all things with a pinch of salt...after all its laso wants to build a monrail to Fountaingate..lol. If ntothig nelse this Council is progressive and thinks lateral.

Issues such as transport need to be addressed also.

Fortress Cranbourne!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Drop the Melb and add the Cran--------------just joking!!

are you suggesting we were bourne to be there ??

are you suggesting we were bourne to be there ??

Bourne again Demons!!!!!!!!

Garry can trot out his "Bourne to be alive" agian :D

I like the idea very much of having a proper home ground advantage ala Geelong, Sydney, Brisbane.Well, Geelong to a lesser extent.

Princes Park mentioned on this subject is impossible to get at.It took me an hour and a half to get there from Richmond at one time or another, absolute dump.

Garry can trot out his "Bourne to be alive" agian :D

we have (Bourne) so much grief over many years, let it happen

http://www.cranbourneleader.com.au/article...3_csv_news.html

I think it may be a good idea, because it does look a bit silly when we play interstate teams and only 16 thousand people are sitting sparingly around the MCG.

For people who have been there what is the ground and facilities like?

i reckon its a great idea, build boutique ground for 25,000 and play Freo,Port,Adelaide etc there, and make it the summer base, brilliant idea

Its about 40-45 mins from the CBD...not really that far.

I'd imagine they would have to build a few stands to fit 20,000 in there.

l live bayside and its only about 30-40 minutes, but it is only about 20-30 to the G