St. Kilda Closer To Heading Home To Junction Oval Following AFL, Gov't Talks

The notion of Australian Football League Club St. Kilda "returning home to the Junction Oval has moved one step closer to reality" following top-level talks between the AFL and the Victorian government, according to Caroline Wilson of THE AGE. Premier Denis Napthine and Minister for Sport Damian Drum last week "gave the AFL the green light to explore the potential establishment of a co-tenancy arrangement" at the historic St. Kilda ground between the Saints and Cricket Victoria. Drum said a partnership with another sport ''would seem a logical direction for cricket to go in.'' Drum: ''Multi-purpose facilities are what we encourage at all levels of sport to facilitate greater usage and the best outcomes for the public.'' The joint venture "would also open up more avenues for funding." Drum: ''If cricket and another sport want to present a joint proposal that pools resources for Junction Oval facilities, we’d welcome it'' (THE AGE, 4/9).