Craigieburn has similar dimensions to the MCG, while Punt Rd Oval, when the redevelopment that began last year is complete, will mimic Telstra Dome’s size and shape, giving the team the perfect place to train for either of the grounds they will play 16 games on this season.
The team was at the facility in Craigieburn on Tuesday to launch their 2009 Telstra AFL Community Camp, and captain Chris Newman said it could only benefit his improving side.
"Apparently they are MCG dimensions – it looks a bit different now without the stands around it, but they're going to be building the big stands around it, so apparently everything's going to be state-of-the-art, so we're really looking forward to coming out here and starting our campaign," he said.
"When it's ready we'll be able to come out here and with Punt Rd the way it is at the moment, it's really difficult to find places – with water restrictions and things like that – it's difficult to find places where we can actually prepare well, and this is going to keep us within a minimum risk of injury."
And while the area around the facility is still fenced off because it is a construction zone, Newman said it wouldn't be long before it was able to be used.
"The Hume City Council have worked really hard to get this in the condition it's in now, and I believe it's going to be ready within a couple of weeks.
"But it's a really good opportunity to come out here and meet some of the local people who we'll be sharing a close relationship with in the future.
"So we're happy to be here."
