little rumour going around that the AFL would like to set up an AFL institute like the AIS (australian institute of sports) partnering up with Melbourne Uni and the NAB. They will specialise in sports science and eventually it will become a breeding ground for trainers, physios and the likes along with junior development so im assuning under 18's and draft camps........ and you didnt hear it from me someone at the NAB has a big mouth lol

Then we should double the price because they aren't going to find another site this close to Melbourne Uni and the City.

I'm not saying that the AFL are looking at optus oval, whispers around that the AFL along with the NAB are looking at something like this. The NAB wana be long term supporters of the AFL like a Aussie open and Ford......

you would think that once or if this does go ahead the AFL would wana set up its own institute in every state which would be a pretty expensive excercise if you ask me and with soccer threatening the AFL is about to ump the anti.

Another interesting thing about corporate sponsorship, i was watching RPM and Mark Skaife said the at the moment V8 car racing is getting bigger and stronger by the minute and he said they are not far off from the AFL to become the leading sport brand in Australia regarding sponsor dollars due to the fact that they are getting into the asia market.

With the new A-league, Rugby, V8's, Super 14's (two years time melbourne will have a team), Aussie open, Grand prix, Basketball sponsor ship dollars will be hard to find..... which im sure will see the death of some teams

Whichi is "Demetrispew" is pooping himself - how else would you explain his extraordinary turnaround from not caring less if we fell over and disappeared to actually wanting to try and help us (whatever he believes that means).

But the only reason "Demetrispew" would be considering it is not for any altruistic reason to assist Carlton.

Its only to protect the entry on his CV.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

Blue vain said it, the key phrase is "buy the lease". That means large cash injection (debt reduction) PLUS the savings of $1.8m p.a in ground maintanence (inproved cash flow). When you combine that with the sponsors who are apparently starting to come on board, then thinks could be looking really good.

This is big ticket stuff. Surely they wouldn't waste the $1500/per day in consultant fees to do due dilligance if they weren't pretty serious about it. They would only do that if they needed a document to wave at the other 15 clubs when they go through with a decision they've already made.

I'm prepared to give the club the benefit of the doubt with regard to this until I see what sort of deal eventuates. Being an interstater, I don't have the same attachment to PP as some of you. Unfortunately I suspect
that for some of you no deal the club strikes that involves PP will ever seem good enough.

All I know is that if it comes to club being relocated the keeping control of the lease of PP isn't going to help us much. The finger will get pointed at the club that has the most in debt. The sooner we can not be that club the better, so if this will help, then so be it.

Add all that together with hopefully some fresh, fully energised new directors on the board and all of a sudden the the light at the end of the tunnell is getting larger by the day.

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There's so much I could say...