Melbourne Demons' Caulfield Racecourse Move Hits Major Roadblock
The Melbourne Football Club's ambitious plan to establish a new home and training base at Caulfield Racecourse has encountered a significant stumbling block, casting doubt on the project's immediate future. According to 7NEWS chief AFL reporter Mitch Cleary, the widely publicised proposal is far from a fait accompli, with club officials describing the situation as delicate.
Standoff Between Demons and Racing Club
Cleary revealed on Channel 7's The Agenda Setters that a standoff is looming between the Melbourne Demons and the Melbourne Racing Club, which operates Caulfield Racecourse. The Demons are seeking to build and move into the centre of the site, requiring a tunnel, but the racing club has refused to halt racing at the venue for 12 months to accommodate the construction. That won't be happening, Cleary stated, indicating that approval for the move remains a long way off.
Current Training Arrangements and Player Perspectives
In the interim, the Demons are set to move into Hawthorn's former base at Waverley Park, following the Hawks' relocation to Dingley. Previously, the club has alternated between training at Casey Fields and Gosch's Paddock, the latter being a public ground on busy Punt Road. Melbourne captain Max Gawn, speaking on Triple M, expressed that the club is chips in on the Caulfield move, though he noted the Waverley transition was news to me. Gawn praised Casey Fields as a fantastic facility but humorously remarked on Gosch's Paddock's location, saying it allows them to hide our tactics in Victoria's busiest intersection.
Club's Need for a Permanent Home
Melbourne CEO Paul Guerra emphasised the urgency of securing a permanent base, stating that the club cannot consider itself one of the premier football clubs in the competition without it. He highlighted current limitations, such as sharing gym facilities at AAMI Park with Melbourne Storm and Melbourne Victory, and the inability to house the entire club at existing locations like the MCG or Casey Fields. Guerra confirmed that negotiations for Caulfield are at a delicate stage, and once announced, the club will need to plan for approvals and construction, while exploring interim options.
Gawn added that while the Caulfield move might occur after his playing career, it would benefit past players. The Demons continue to operate from multiple sites, with Gawn noting they have access to several ovals at Casey, but the lack of a unified home remains a pressing issue for the club's future.
