AFL buys Waverley Park from Hawthorn Football Club, reveals plans, Hawks to move to Dingley

Waverley Park will remain in the hands of the footy community after confirmation the venue had been purchased by the AFL from Hawthorn for an undisclosed sum.

Both parties on Tuesday morning confirmed the sale of Waverley Park, which had been the Hawks’ training and admin base since 2004. Prior to that, it’d hosted 732 AFL/VFL matches — 70 of which were finals and one a Grand Final — between 1970 and 1999.

With Hawthorn set to move to its new home base in Dingley later this year, Waverley Park was put on the market in February, with the AFL ultimately emerging as “the best buyer”, according to Hawks president Andy Gowers.

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AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon said the league’s purchase “keeps an iconic footy venue in our ecosystem”, adding he was hopeful areas such as talent pathways, umpiring and community footy would benefit.

“Waverley Park has had a long history in footy, being the first venue to be designed and built specifically for Australian Rules Football,” Dillon said.

“The purchase of the ground and facilities is a rare and timely solution that will help with our talent pathways programs, community footy, and umpire development and programs, all of which will now be worked through with the relevant stakeholders.

MELBOURNE, JANUARY 17, 2023: It is believed the wrong chemicals have gotten onto the field at Waverley Park and it's caused Hawthorn to shift their training. Picture: Mark Stewart Source: News Corp Australia

“The AFL has targeted having 10 million attendees at AFL/AFLW games, events, and festivals, two million AFL club members and one million participants and in order to achieve the target for participation we need two ovals a week every week for the next five years.

“We are always looking for greenspace so we can continue to expand the playing fields we need to accommodate the strong national growth in people playing our game.”

The move strengthens Hawthorn’s financial situation as it looks to help fund the new $100 million home in Dingley.

Hawthorn chief operating officer Jacob Attwood said the “historical significance of Waverley Park will be preserved” with the AFL taking on the venue.

“A lot of work has been done to ensure the best possible outcome for both the club and the future of Waverley Park,” Attwood said.

“On behalf of the club, I’d like to thank Colliers for their work throughout the campaign and also the AFL for their engagement to achieve this outcome.

“Looking forward for our club, the sale of this facility puts us in a very strong position to make the move to the Kennedy Community Centre later this year.”

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