TOPIC:

By all accounts East Fremantle will at some stage in the near future be moving out of the old ground at East Fremantle Oval.

Naturally the first thought is to go to Fremantle and share with South but hopefully EFFC explore all options first.

I don't really see how East Fremantle could move into Fremantle Oval that easily. Sure, the training facilities are in place but where will the members stand and functions areas be built. There isn't a spot I can think of. The old grandstand is heritage listed. The South Fremantle clubrooms are only big enough for one club. The Fremantle Dockers area behind the Southern goals are not really built for members or supporters. There is no seating and it isn't located in an area where people can see the game easily. It certainly isn't the kind of set-up that will encourage people to join up as members.

The Murdoch University option is interesting and there are some pretty good plus points at least to have a discussion with Murdoch University, The WAFC and the EFFC. Who knows, perhaps the three parties could work out a deal that really suits all. I know that the WAFC are, or at least, were keen last time I heard, to have WAFL clubs in the heart of the zone, servicing the junior/senior/multi-cultural development programs and becoming the football hub for a particular section of the metropolitan area.

*Murdoch is right in the heart of the East Fremantle zone.

*Murdoch is on the railway line - albeit a bit of a walk. A small special times only platform down near Farringdon Road would be easy enough to build.

*A new ground would enable EFFC to have a members stand right in the centre of the ground where a members area should be, rather than where it is likely to be at Fremantle. The entire facility could be built exactly the way EFFC want it - without compromise.

*Murdoch has 24,000 students and teachers. Now I'm not saying that they're all going to flood into the ground to watch the Sharks. But, I can think of no better recruiting ground for a football club than a having a university on site. I would be considering having all Murdoch students allowed in for free and I would also have a discounted student bar in the outer. Anything to encourage the younger folk to enter the ground. A lot of sporting clubs, particularly cricket clubs in America are hooking into the College and University scene for players and supporters and it definitely works.

*There is plenty of space at Murdoch between Campus Drive and Farringdon Road. Some of it bushland, some veterinary facilities and stables connected with the campus and there is also a cricket ground.

*As mentioned earlier, for juniors/development squads/colts/multi-cultural programs run by EFFC it is perfectly located.

All this might mean nothing if Murdoch don't want it but at least it's worth discussing with them and other stakeholders to see if it is possible.

Pretty sure this has come up as a possibility before Ben, but definitely should be explored.

Options are being explored as we speak. My feeling still remains the same that we need to ground share and go to the obvious and that's Fremantle Oval. Brand new facilities to replace SF's existing ones could be the go.

Yeah I think you're right. Fremantle Oval will end up being the spot. Specially if they demolish the South members and start again.

But would love to know what Murdoch think about the idea and how they would treat EFFC as a tenant compared to how a council does.

Hate watching the Footy at Freo oval. Hope EF go to Murdoch.

Could they share the proposed Cockburn facility with the Dockers? Is Cockburn Central in the EF zone?

or the Dockers could go to Murdoch if Cockburn falls thru.

Time For a Flag wrote: Hate watching the Footy at Freo oval. Hope EF go to Murdoch.

The key is are Murdoch interested. If so what kind of rental would that be looking at compared to The City of Fremantle.

It's going to cost South and East a lot of money to build new members social clubs and the accompanying grandstand at Fremantle. With that in mind it wouldn't cost anymore for EFFC to build their own grandstand and social club at Murdoch. Especially if the WAFC are prepared to chip in and I suspect they would be as that South of the river region needs servicing between Lathlain and Fremantle.

But one again, it boils down to Murdoch. Would they be prepared to offer a rental that would make long term business sense for EFFC.

One thing is for sure, I'd back in a major and extremely wealthy educational facility to give better long term service to EFFC compared to any council and that includes maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. The cricket grounds are in tremendous nick.

oobisoobi wrote: Could they share the proposed Cockburn facility with the Dockers? Is Cockburn Central in the EF zone?

or the Dockers could go to Murdoch if Cockburn falls thru.

Nah Cockburn is in the South zone.

Ground sharing can be a good money saver but there are downsides particularly at junior level.

I can almost guarantee in advance that if EFFC move to Fremantle, their colts and development squads etc will never be able to train there. They will probably have to be at a separate ground in Bullcreek or Murdoch anyway.

You look at Subi colts/development squads for example who train at a separate ground/grounds including Les Lilleyman Reserve in Mt Hawthorn and Seacrest Park in Sorrento. They've also trained at City Beach. But there just isn't the time for them to use Leederville with EP and SU senior squads sharing the facilities. Not to mention the ground damage that happens when the ground is in constant use.

Another thing I'd be doing at Murdoch if I moved there would be to offer the University a free AFL football program for foreign students in return for reduced rents etc.

Naturally, the Uni would charge students of course. You'd be surprised how many from overseas would be interested in a sports degree like this. I can tell ya there are weirder subjects to study these days

Lol, part of their scholarship requirement would be to hand out flyers to students about the upcoming game.....not to mention emptying out the Murdoch Uni tavern and redirecting those kids to the EF bar at about 1.50pm every Saturday.

Anyway...just ideas...

anchorman wrote: At least if they go to Murdoch they dying Shark can be put down mercifully and quickly.Save the smell of rotting Shark as people drive along Marmion Street now.

Now, now

In all truth, I'm more worried about South.

The one club that won't want EFFC to build their own ground is the Bulldogs.

They'd be desperate to share with the Sharks ASAP I would think.

And if that means EFFC have to move to Fremantle to save SFFC, then I'd back the sharing idea. Can't afford to lose South or Fremantle Oval.