New facility at Docklands

[Flyswatter]

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/105304/default.aspx

Seems strange to set up camp at Aami Park and then be looking elsewhere so quickly. The existing one is closer to the G as well.

Must be some real perks to the new place, if it ends up happening. I presume they would be pulling out of Aami Park completely in that case?

 

[cannons]

If I remember correctly, the AAMI park deal is a flexible one which allows the club to move if a superior opportunity presents itself, such as this one.

Further to that, it's still at least 3 to 5 years away, so we'll get plenty of use out of AAMI park in the meantime.

 

[Cudi_420]

To be quite honest, I think we should make our home as close to the MCG as possible. There is no team in Australia (the world?) that has as much of a tie with a stadium as we do the MCG. We were grown out of a stadium, not a suburb, and the romanticism attached is something not seen in any other sport. That's 150 years at the same ground. We should embrace that as much as possible.

 

[Redleg_24]

To be quite honest, I think we should make our home as close to the MCG as possible. There is no team in Australia (the world?) that has as much of a tie with a stadium as we do the MCG. We were grown out of a stadium, not a suburb, and the romanticism attached is something not seen in any other sport. That's 150 years at the same ground. We should embrace that as much as possible.

Sounds like a great idea..but we will be as far away from the MCG as we have ever been me feels! Its practically the western Suburbs as far as I am concerned. I hate Docklands..Horrible, inconvenient area. Would hate to be based there. But again, all depends on what will be based there. I thought we were going to have a function area at AAMI that fans could come back to after the games? Is that idea still about?? That is what i think is important. I don't like the idea of moving that side of the city while co-tenants Richmond and Collingwood are next door to the 'G'. I presume there is $$$ in it for the club and that the gov't and council will fit most of the bill.

 

[cannons]

Nice sentiment in relation to remaining close to the 'G, but really, I would prefer the club to move to the Docklands if it meant better facilities and a better deal for the club.

If remaining near the MCG is going to marginalise what we are able to do from a development standpoint, then I really don't see the point, even if it is a somewhat romantic notion.

 

[Redleg_24]

Nice sentiment in relation to remaining close to the 'G, but really, I would prefer the club to move to the Docklands if it meant better facilities and a better deal for the club.

If remaining near the MCG is going to marginalise what we are able to do from a development standpoint, then I really don't see the point, even if it is a somewhat romantic notion.

I am the same..i mean for God's sake we were in the wilderness down at the Junction for so many years anything is better and closer than that. My worry is, MFC supporters do not like travel or 'new'/'different' areas. The ideas floated when moving were all about bringing people together. Giving fans opportunity to get to training, to mix socially after a game etc etc. I ain't leaving the G after a game and heading to Docklands.

 

[Demon 16]

To be quite honest, I think we should make our home as close to the MCG as possible. There is no team in Australia (the world?) that has as much of a tie with a stadium as we do the MCG. We were grown out of a stadium, not a suburb, and the romanticism attached is something not seen in any other sport. That's 150 years at the same ground. We should embrace that as much as possible.

Ever heard of Anfield or Old Trafford?

I dont mind the Casey idea for a while if it helps our marketing. But we wouldnt want to miss the boat to get back intothe heart of Melbourne as well.

I wonder how much it actually helps our marketing just becasue we train at Casey?

 

[demonfan9]

We don't just train at Casey, Demon 16. We do plenty of work out there in the community, particularly with the local primary schools (of which there are plenty), training clinics, etc... The Demons Heartland program is generally targeted towards schools and community groups in the Casey area. We also play pre-season matches there which gives the locals a team that they can support and feel part of. We are aligned with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL, which means our young players are being watched and supported by the locals every second week. We have signed a 30 year deal with the City of Casey, which is formal recognition of our commitment to the area. As a result, they are committing to vital funding to develop quality facilities for us.

It's a brilliant move by the club and I believe we will start to really reap the benefits in the next 5-10 years. As far as being situated as close to the MCG as possible, I don't think that should cloud our judgement. If we have an opportunity to improve the club by moving to a new facility at Docklands, then we should grab it with both hands. You think Collingwood supporters are upset that they train on Swan St instead of Victoria Park? They've got millions of dollars, elite facilities, a professional organisation and now a premiership to top it off.

 

[Demon 16]

We don't just train at Casey, Demon 16. We do plenty of work out there in the community, particularly with the local primary schools (of which there are plenty), training clinics, etc... The Demons Heartland program is generally targeted towards schools and community groups in the Casey area. We also play pre-season matches there which gives the locals a team that they can support and feel part of. We are aligned with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL, which means our young players are being watched and supported by the locals every second week. We have signed a 30 year deal with the City of Casey, which is formal recognition of our commitment to the area. As a result, they are committing to vital funding to develop quality facilities for us.

It's a brilliant move by the club and I believe we will start to really reap the benefits in the next 5-10 years. As far as being situated as close to the MCG as possible, I don't think that should cloud our judgement. If we have an opportunity to improve the club by moving to a new facility at Docklands, then we should grab it with both hands. You think Collingwood supporters are upset that they train on Swan St instead of Victoria Park? They've got millions of dollars, elite facilities, a professional organisation and now a premiership to top it off.

Good post D9.

Yeh I do really like the Casey idea - very proactive. And I understand how much we do out there - but Im questioning the training component. We could still do every other thing you mentioned out at Casey without having to send the lads out there 6 times a week for training.

As I said - I very much support the Casey target market etc, but stepping back even further, at some point in the future I think it would be better to be back as close to the heartland of the city so that everyone from Cranbourne to Sunbury can feel attached to the Melbourne Football Club.

 

[Demon 16]

Hey guys thought Id post this here seeing as we're discussing training etc..

Really good report from the OP - and check the link to a few pics on post 7.

http://demonland.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=23717&st=0&gopid=384836&

 

[demonfan9]

Good post D9.

Yeh I do really like the Casey idea - very proactive. And I understand how much we do out there - but Im questioning the training component. We could still do every other thing you mentioned out at Casey without having to send the lads out there 6 times a week for training.

As I said - I very much support the Casey target market etc, but stepping back even further, at some point in the future I think it would be better to be back as close to the heartland of the city so that everyone from Cranbourne to Sunbury can feel attached to the Melbourne Football Club.

My understanding is that we train at Casey just once a week during the footy season (we still have to have a presence there, can't completely abandon it for 6 months). But the majority of our training is done at Gosch's Paddock (about as close to our "home" as you can get). During the pre-season, we do most of our training at Casey, which is ideal IMO.

 

[master bate]

My understanding is that we train at Casey just once a week during the footy season (we still have to have a presence there, can't completely abandon it for 6 months). But the majority of our training is done at Gosch's Paddock (about as close to our "home" as you can get). During the pre-season, we do most of our training at Casey, which is ideal IMO.

I have heard we're going to do most of our training preseason at AAMI this year not Casey. I'm yet to hear how that will go down with the people at Casey.

What I believe we need to secure is facilities that we are in control off. I don't mind if we share them with someone like Netball Vic but we need our own place. We need the football department, administration and preferably social facilities all at the one place.

The facilities at AAMI are very good and the location is great, but we are just a tenant using an oval, having football department offices and sharing a pool/gym.

It would be a shame to move out of the Melbourne sports precinct that is so close to the G for a place at docklands, but it if it means we get somewhere that we truly control and can have the whole team there then I'm for it.

Personally I'd like to take over the oval we are training at next to AAMI and somehow squeeze in our own facilities (football department, administrative and social) right there as well. Our very own Westpac centre just up to road from Collingwood's. Not sure that's a realistic thing though.