Metropolitan Melbourne clubs will receive grants for a variety of areas, including community-linked projects, improvement of facilities and, in some cases, new football departments, as part of football's 150th birthday celebrations.
Premier John Brumby joined league boss Andrew Demetriou and the CEOs and captains of nine of the 10 Victorian clubs at Punt Road on Monday to announce the significant financial move.
Brumby said the decision to boost funding for Melbourne-based football clubs "fits in very well with the 150th anniversary of Australian football”.
“This announcement will ensure that the government's vision of transforming suburban former AFL venues into multi-purpose sport and recreation clubs comes to fruition," Mr Brumby said. “You think back to the 1800s and most games were played on cricket grounds, on grounds of different sizes, different standards, of different performances.
“It's a much more professional game today, and equally the football club is much more a part of the broader community.”
Demetriou said the AFL appreciated the government's plans to go ahead with the handouts. “This decision will play a major part in preserving Victoria's historic suburban football grounds," he said.
"This is a very important week for the AFL and its clubs as we embark on this celebratory season. This Government has been absolutely consistent over a number of years in supporting not just the AFL, but our clubs.
"It's not the first announcement where we've been the recipient of grants but, on this occasion, to receive $10.5 million dollars for our Victorian clubs in metropolitan Melbourne is a terrific gesture in our 150th year."
Hawthorn skipper Sam Mitchell, who was in attendance with Collingwood's Scott Burns, the Western Bulldogs' Brad Johnson, Carlton's Chris Judd, St Kilda's Nick Riewoldt, Richmond's Kane Johnson, North Melbourne's Adam Simpson, Melbourne's David Neitz and Essendon's Andrew Welsh, said the Hawks will greatly benefit from the proposed $1 million dedicated towards new water recycling technology at Waverley.
"It's a great initiative by the Government. We've had a little bit of trouble with our redevelopment down at Hawthorn in not having enough water," he said.
"Something like that for our club is going to be excellent for us, and I think the facilities you're able to give to us as players are going to be exceptional because of the additional funds we receive."
Where the funding goes will differ from club to club, with the full extent of who is receiving what listed below.
What Your Club is Getting
RICHMOND
- $2.5 million to support development of a new indoor facility, ground improvements and drought-proofing at Punt Road oval.
NORTH MELBOURNE
- $2 million for completion of new football department facility at Arden Street.
ESSENDON
- $1.5 million for ground reconfiguration at Windy Hill.
MELBOURNE
- $1 million to assist Melbourne football club with relocation to Rectangular Stadium.
CARLTON
- $1 million to support the redevelopment of MC Labour Park.
HAWTHORN
- $1 million for new water recycling technology at Waverly Park.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
- $0.5 million for multi-court community indoor sports facility at Whitten Oval.
COLLINGWOOD
- $0.5 million to improve training facilities at the Lexus Centre supporting Collingwood football club's relationship with the Melbourne Vixens netball team.
ST KILDA
- $0.5 million to help St Kilda open up Moorabbin Reserve facilities for community access.
