Swooper Northey

I always had questions about his maturity. Something that sat uncomfortably with me, even during the good times. Next time you get a chance, watch some of the interviews he gave over the years and count how many times he says "I" or "me." In a team sport, that tells you something. When we were winning, he was brilliant and he knew it. But when our form dropped and we needed someone of his calibre to stand up and lead, he sooked, his body language was dreadful, and he demanded out rather than honouring a contract. So looking back, you have to wonder whether the Melbourne Football Club was ever really the point. Whether our success was simply the stage his ego needed? The good years gave him plenty of accolades and highlight reels and a profile that grew with every big game. We were the vehicle. And when the vehicle stopped performing, when the wins dried up and the spotlight dimmed, there was nothing left to keep him here. No loyalty to the jumper. No commitment to help rebuild what we had together. Just a man looking for his next audience.

Realistically, even if Caulfield was given the green light tomorrow, it's several years away from being ready. I've warmed to the idea of Waverley as an interim solution where we can actually bring the administration and primary training facilities together in one location rather than the current situation of administration at the MCG and training facilities / football department at AAMI Park. The facilities look fine (see link below) and we have the benefit of Casey down the South Eastern Fwy. The club could even bus players from Waverley to Casey on the days when they train there. If we resign ourselves to waiting for the finished product at Caulfield before trying to address the disconnect between administration and training base, it will set us further back. https://www.realcommercial.com.au/sold/property-2-stadium-circuit-mulgrave-vic-3170-504798612

I'd heard that the MFC is aiming to move to Waverley in about June, once the facilities have been fitted out.

I think it solves co-locating the administration with the primary training base. Casey would still be used to complement Waverley for the reasons you mention. If Caulfield does eventually happen the club has said it will still need Casey to cater for all of the extra demand.

Yeah, that's gone to Dingley.

Here's a look at the Waverley facilities which would be an upgrade on the split AAMI / Gosch's Paddock / MCG training and admin set up, allowing the club to bring everything under one roof. https://www.commercialrealestate.com.au/property/2-stadium-circuit-mulgrave-vic-3170-2019818740 If this in used in the interim while Caulfield is being approved and eventually developed, it could be a positive.

Very well said Redleg. Couldn’t agree more. Very well said Redleg. Couldn’t agree more.

The pic doesn't do justice to the size of that carpark. It's enormous.

High first rounder + Jake Soligo.

Picture a player with a matchstick physique but with the grace of a ballet dancer and the skill to make the game's giants look like schoolboys. But his greatness lay not just in his extraordinary abilities, but in his humility and loyalty.

Apparently Jake Melksham won the James McDonald ‘Memorial’ Trophy. Unless I’m mistaken, Junior is very much alive..

I dare say they'll use a section of the enormous racecourse reserve closer to the training and admin base to develop the ovals. There is an existing tunnel from that side of the racecourse to the infield.

Not really. An existing tunnel beneath the track would lead straight to the infield where the ovals would be.

I went past Caulfield this evening to have a look at the area mentioned in yesterday's report. That car park opposite the station is enormous, even with some of it fenced off as the set up begins for Spring Carnival. So there would be absolutely no problems for space if the club could build on this land. To have an elite training facility in this precinct, so close to public transport and the inner suburbs of Melbourne would be an absolute win. I left thinking that we could go from having the worst training facilities in the league to the best when this development is done. Bring it on.

Yep, that's a weakness that's crept into his game this year. Very neat and effective in 2024 but has turned the ball over far too often this season. Liked him playing in the middle though. Plenty of upside.