Roast AFL pisses “eight figures” up against the wall

[Cam Payne]

Free kick Hawthorn.

 

[XhazzafootyX]

What do the afl plan to do with the land

 

[Mitchell Madness]

What do the afl plan to do with the land

Most likely a base for the umpires.
Currently the umps dont even train together

 

[Teen Wolf]

Yeah Hawthorn paid $1 for the grass and some levels of the Sir Kenneth Luke Stand. And then spent millions doing it up. Didn't they also pay over $4m for the public gym?

Indeed, from Hawthorn's 2007 financial report:

(c) Capital Commitments
On 26 September 2007, the Club purchased the gymnasium at 5/2 Stadium Circuit, Mulgrave at auction for $4,100,000 (exclusive of GST). A deposit of $410,000 was paid; settlement of the remaining balance of $3,690,000 will be paid on 26 November 2007.

Jake Niall has reported the public gym was included in the AFL's purchase:

The sale price was between $10 million and $15 million, according to a source familiar with the confidential deal, and included the profitable gymnasium business.

 

[Walshawk]

Indeed, from Hawthorn's 2007 financial report:


Jake Niall has reported the public gym was included in the AFL's purchase:

Property prices have more than doubled since 2007, so why gym might be worth $8m. If the AFL has paid another $5m for the oval and training facilities, that seems reasonable.

 

[Elixuh]

Nice little $20m social welfare payment to the Hawks. No other explanation.

 

[HairyO]

Who needs witches hats when you can use weirdos with metal detectors?

They arent weirdos they are detectorists.

 

[Philhawk]

Hawks are keeping the profitable gym, despite the rest of the sale.

Hope this helps.

 

[MadMaxx]

You naysayers need a history lesson

• In 1999, when the league decided to sell Waverley. it was to partly fund the next generation stadium now known as Marvel. The Modern AFL had outgrown VFL Park, and had let it rot for many years, as Hawks and Saints fans could tell you.
• Mirvac bought the entire 212 Acres (Yes, the site was huge), with the true value being the land assigned to the carparks, which was subsequently developed into a huge housing estate. Mirvac made a lot of money. The AFL got to build Docklands. The AFL realised $110 Million in the sale, and grew the game exponentially as a result
• One issue was the Kenneth Luke Stand (Akk members), or more precisely the mural on the outside, was Heritage listed, and Mirvac was unable to raze it.
• Hawthorn at that stage, had just staved off the merger in 1996, and was still in a precarious financial state. The home base at Glenferrie Oval was no longer fit for an AFL team, and we had no stake in the oval or Michael Tuck Stand, which was owned by the council, and ironically also heritage listed. We did own the social club across the road
• Led by amazing Hawthorn President and Philanthropist Ian Dicker, The club negotiated with Mirvac to move out to Waverley as an anchor tenant to the site, and to "buy" the shell of the stand for $1. As part of that deal, the Hawks got to develop the freehold in precinct, including being landlords for the Gym and Cafe, which have been good revenue earners. It is worth noting that the club doesn't own the oval (I think Council does), but does maintain it. Dicker and his team then sold off the Linda Cres social club in order to renovate and fit out the Luke Stand, with club and office facilities.

The site has been a great home for the Hawks for a qtr of a century (4 flags baby), but the $100m Dingley site is far superior in every way. We are a much better run club these days, with the support of key generous benefactors.

The AFL have had zero to do with the site since they took the cheque in 99, and the league has changed dramatically in that time. MUCH more money about, so paying 10+ Mil for a developed site with offices, training facilities, as well as the tenants is not a bad call. How they will use it remains to be seen, but I can envisage not only Umpire training, but Big TAC games held there, Draft Combines, AFLW training etc... They have a lot of scope to use it for good reasons.

The above has just been a series of business decisions, and there was not many bad calls there, from the AFL, Mirvac or Hawthorn. Everyone has come out in the green.


PS> A Postscript to the Hawthorn/AFL negotiations was that the HFC wanted nothing to do with Docklands at the time, so negotiated to move from AFL Park to the MCG instead. THAT was an enlightened call.

 

[SAweagle]

Thought this was going to be about AFLW....or GWS...or GC....or the continual maintenance of unviable VFL throwbacks...

Yeah but vibes though

 

[Scotland]

Why does the AFL want the current version of Waverley exactly?

I quite like what Mirvac/Hawthorn did with the site but one oval surrounded by houses, one grandstand and a small car park doesn't seem like a pressing need.

 

[Golden_6]

Why does the AFL want the current version of Waverley exactly?

I quite like what Mirvac/Hawthorn did with the site but one oval surrounded by houses, one grandstand and a small car park doesn't seem like a pressing need.

As others have said, it makes sense to acquire the facilities and oval as a base for the umpires. I believe as it stands, the umpires don’t even have a fixed facility.

 

[Scotland]

As others have said, it makes sense to acquire the facilities and oval as a base for the umpires. I believe as it stands, the umpires don’t even have a fixed facility.

I get that, but it seems like overkill.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Why does the AFL want the current version of Waverley exactly?

I quite like what Mirvac/Hawthorn did with the site but one oval surrounded by houses, one grandstand and a small car park doesn't seem like a pressing need.

They don’t really want it. But there were other sports sniffing around it and they’re simply petrified of the PR of there being something like a soccer “centre of excellence” on an iconic footy property.

It’s a huge ****up. Mirvac obviously didn’t want it so it simply should’ve been carved out of the sale and retained by the AFL. The league didn’t have the foresight to do that and it has therefore cost them over $10m. Enormously expensive cockup.

 

[Walshawk]

Richmond might base themselves there whilst Punt Rd is redeveloped. For 12 months from late 2026.

Tigers open to Waverley Park move; Voss says his message is still resonating with Blues

In today’s AFL briefing, Michael Voss says he has not addressed his future with club chiefs, while Richmond are open to a temporary move to Waverley Park at the end of 2026 while Punt Road is redeveloped.

www.theage.com.au

If I were the Dees I would get in first and train there until they can find a permanent home.

 

[Jim Prideaux]

They don’t really want it. But there were other sports sniffing around it and they’re simply petrified of the PR of there being something like a soccer “centre of excellence” on an iconic footy property.

It’s a huge ****up. Mirvac obviously didn’t want it so it simply should’ve been carved out of the sale and retained by the AFL. The league didn’t have the foresight to do that and it has therefore cost them over $10m. Enormously expensive cockup.

Is it that expensive? The sold the site to Mirvac for $100 odd million nearly 30 years ago, the oval has been kept pristine and the facilities invested in. Seems like a good deal really. Hopefully it gets used appropriately

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Also some are suggesting it could host games at some non-AFL level. That won’t happen for the same reason it has never happened before - there are no facilities at all for teams, umpires or supporters, the biggest issue being there is absolutely no parking - getting even 500 people in there is a complete nightmare (Hawthorn have done it for GF training and family days).

There’s also restrictions on the oval’s use that would need to be waived by the surrounding residents - around most of the ground you’re almost standing in their courtyards when watching the action.

 

[Mitchell Madness]

One thing to laugh at with this - stkilda were supposedly offered waverly first

 

[MadMaxx]

Also some are suggesting it could host games at some non-AFL level. That won’t happen for the same reason it has never happened before - there are no facilities at all for teams, umpires or supporters, the biggest issue being there is absolutely no parking - getting even 500 people in there is a complete nightmare (Hawthorn have done it for GF training and family days).

There’s also restrictions on the oval’s use that would need to be waived by the surrounding residents - around most of the ground you’re almost standing in their courtyards when watching the action.

Cant AFL/AFLW host games. Agree. It is a residential area

But imagine the draft combine and testing there. The league could invest in high performance Programs for the U18 Kids, and even ship in prospects from other states to use. I would Imagine that it would be fit-for-purpose for big TAC Fixtures too. Very good story to be written re the pathways. Don't forget AFLW programs that could benefit as well.

The AFL also would become landlord for the other businesses in the precinct, so comes with some revenue opportunities attached. Cafe/Grocery/Gym

 

[Mitchell Madness]

Cant AFL/AFLW host games. Agree. It is a residential area

But imagine the draft combine and testing there. The league could invest in high performance Programs for the U18 Kids, and even ship in prospects from other states to use. I would Imagine that it would be fit-for-purpose for big TAC Fixtures too. Very good story to be written re the pathways. Don't forget AFLW programs that could benefit as well.

The AFL also would become landlord for the other businesses in the precinct, so comes with some revenue opportunities attached. Cafe/Grocery/Gym

Apparently they have not taken over the gym

 

[Xtreme]

Carlton trying to show some fight but still looking like a wet lettuce leaf

 

[randyzany]

I'm just wondering why the hell the AFL felt compelled to sell Waverley (or what remained of it that wasn't sold off to developers) to a club in the first place. Why couldn't they just lease/rent it to Hawthorn and share some of the maintenance expenses of the place if that's the reason they wanted to legally get rid of the responsibility of owning it? If Hawthorn could afford the upkeep, a club that went perilously close to going under just a few years back, then so could the AFL. Surely maintenance would have not cost Hawthorn 8 million big ones in the intervening 26 years. The deal was so dodgy on so many levels.

Interesting if we will hear some of the nuffies complaining on behalf of the multi coloured maggots about suggestions Waverley could potentially be the place for them to train together because supposedly it is in the 'middle of nowhere' and therefore it could possibly be a huge inconvenience for them to get there. lol

 

[MadMaxx]

I'm just wondering why the hell the AFL felt compelled to sell Waverley (or what remained of it that wasn't sold off to developers) to a club in the first place. Why couldn't they just lease/rent it to Hawthorn and share some of the maintenance expenses of the place if that's the reason they wanted to legally get rid of the responsibility of owning it? If Hawthorn could afford the upkeep, a club that went perilously close to going under just a few years back, then so could the AFL. Surely maintenance would have not cost Hawthorn 8 million big ones in the intervening 26 years. The deal was so dodgy on so many levels.

Interesting if we will hear some of the nuffies complaining on behalf of the multi coloured maggots about suggestions Waverley could potentially be the place for them to train together because supposedly it is in the 'middle of nowhere' and therefore it could possibly be a huge inconvenience for them to get there. lol

AFL netted 110 Million for the Sale.
AFL used that cash to fund the build of Docklands

That's why

 

[Bunk Moreland]

AFL netted 110 Million for the Sale.
AFL used that cash to fund the build of Docklands

That's why

That was for the surrounding land, which is what Mirvac wanted.

They didn’t even want the heritage-listed stand - they gave it away for $0.

It clearly should’ve been carved out of the sale and retained by the AFL.

A mistake that has now cost them over $10m.

 

[boncer34]