Construction of an Australian rules football field the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the middle of Royal Randwick racecourse will not begin until "after the running of The Everest" after the Australian Turf Club agreed to a "landmark" partnership with the Australian Football League, according to Adam Pengilly of THE AGE. The training field, to be used primarily by the Sydney Swans, who "proposed the left-field idea to alleviate concerns over a practice base from next year," is the "cornerstone" of a deal between Sydney's two AFL sides and the city's sole race club. A development application was lodged with the local council "in recent days" and the field, if approved after "gaining the tick of approval from a feasibility study," will have "no effect on the racing operations at Randwick." The increased scheduling at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which will host games for National Rugby League side Sydney Roosters, A-League club Sydney FC and Super Rugby team Waratahs next year while Allianz Stadium is "razed and rebuilt," meant the Swans "could not use their home ground for extra training." The Randwick infield has "traditionally been barren," providing parking for patrons on raceday, and the ATC has been "keen" to maximize the space available at NSW's main racetrack (THE AGE, 7/9).
