the Carlton Reserves will take on Coburg in what will also be the annual Vicki Cleary Day Vicki Cleary Day is in honour of Vicki Cleary who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend on 26 August 1987 First taking place in 2017 against then-Carlton VFL affiliate the Northern Blues the purpose of Vicki Cleary Day - in the words of the cause’s website - is “to not only honour the women killed by men but to raise awareness about the extent of violence against women” It’s fitting that Carlton is involved in this year’s game making the short trip down Sydney Road to the venue - a trip the Cleary family know all too well Vicki’s brother Phil has been an active campaigner to end violence against women in the last four decades and was present at the inaugural Run For Respect this year supporting the flagship Carlton Respects community initiative The Blues - who will also wear their orange socks synonymous with the Carlton Respects program - will join with Coburg at 12:50pm to remember Vicki and all the women lost “I would love to see Carlton and Coburg supporters fill the Coburg ground on Sunday and stand in solidarity with all women as we pause for a moment of silence at 12:50pm,” Phil Cleary said The Carlton Reserves went down to a surging Coburg Lions outfit Michael Voss reviews a disappointing day in Adelaide Carlton has fallen to Adelaide by 60 points Carlton has made three changes for Saturday's return to Adelaide Oval Hudson O'Keeffe had his most commanding performance of his VFL career to date in the Carlton Reserves' Round 6 clash with coburg Watch the best of the Carlton Reserves in the VFL Round 6 clash with Coburg AFL Senior Coach Michael Voss joined media following the Round 8 clash with Adelaide Watch the highlights of the Round 8 clash with Adelaide See what Michael Voss had to say ahead of Carlton's Round 8 clash with Adelaide Carlton Football Club acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which IKON Park is located The Club also acknowledges and pays its respects to their Elders past and present and the Traditional Owners of the many lands on which we play our great game FOOTBALL fans in Melbourne can watch the future stars of the game this weekend when the 2025 Marsh AFL National Academy Boys squad represents the Australia U18 team The young stars will play for Australia for the second of two matches in this year’s program when they take on Coburg’s VFL team at Misson Whitten Oval on Sunday They have already faced off against Richmond's VFL team in a exhibition match on Sunday >> WATCH AUSTRALIA U18 v COBURG VFL LIVE FROM 12pm AEST SUNDAY IN THE PLAYER BELOW The Marsh AFL National Academy features a host of the most talented young footballers from across Australia who are taking part in the program during their Draft year The National Academy is a holistic football and personal development program providing the next generation of stars with valuable experiences insights and opportunities to best prepare them for the next steps in their football journey said: "Wearing the Australia jumper and representing the Australia U18 team is a huge honour for our young stars and always the highlight of the Marsh AFL National Academy program." 202512pm AESTMission Whitten OvalFree entry HOW TO WATCH: Sunday's match between Australia U18 and Coburg VFL will be available to watch live and free on the AFL website Gold Coast Academy’s Usher on her ACL injury rehab battles and best friend Havana Harris incredible misses and more in our look back on the April action of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership season Three-time premiership coach Mick Malthouse gives host Bharat Sundaresan the rundown on how Australian football began and how it became such a significant part of Australian culture With a challenging month of away clashes ahead Fremantle needs to find a way to win on the road if it's to seriously contend in 2025 One of footy's famous rivalries will kick off the AFLW season to mark the 10th season of the competition Check out all the action from the state leagues around the country Damian Barrett and Matthew Lloyd with the latest news and opinions from Round 8 A close contest blew open as the Western Bulldogs handed Greater Western Sydney a second consecutive defeat Footy Feed: Sarah Olle and Riley Beveridge with the latest news Check out the Rising Star for AFL’s Round 8 Will a hard tag from Jack Viney be the reason Harley Reid leaves the Eagles Vote now on your favourite marks from Round 8 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season The Match Review findings for Sunday's round eight games are in In the spirit of reconciliation the AFL acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today THE AFL Academy has won its second of two showcase games for 2025 after defeating Coburg by 23 points at Whitten Oval on Sunday. Classy Geelong Falcons defender Josh Lindsay was named best afield after racking up 25 disposals and seven rebound 50s AFL ACADEMY 2.5 | 5.8 | 8.9 | 11.13 (79)COBURG VFL 2.1 | 3.3 | 7.6 | 8.8 (56) #1 Thomas Burton | Small DefenderWestern Jets/Vic Metro Burton showed marked improvement from game one again getting his hands on the ball and providing run but also disposing in a more measured manner going at 100 per cent efficiency compared to his 57 per cent kicking Burton’s energetic and attacking style helped the Academy surge forward particularly with overlap run and repeat efforts to win the loose ball #2 Beau Addinsall | Midfielder/ForwardSuns Academy/Queensland Addinsall was on track to be in the conversation for best afield before the main break with 10 of his 16 total disposals coming in the first half carrying the ball and waxing with teammates as they ran in waves The Queenslander was unluckily pinged for running too far in the opening term but it didn’t stop him from accumulating in all parts of the ground His ability to shrug tackles and read the fall of the ball at stoppages got him a goal in the first quarter and he used his agility to make poised decisions in tight spots >> Preseason Q&A: Beau Addinsall (Suns Academy) #3 Lachlan Carmichael | DefenderSwans Academy/NSW-ACT Carmichael was again relatively quiet as the likes of Lindsay Patterson and Burton proved the main rebounding threats from defence the Swans Academy prospect made good of his moments with a couple of clean intercept marks He ventured high up the ground in search of opportunities on the overlap #4 Willem Duursma | DefenderGippsland Power/Vic Country Duursma was another big improver from game one He built into the game nicely with 14 of his 20 touches coming after half time having just one ineffective disposal in an efficient performance The pick one contender played with more presence and less hesitation on the attack utilising his foot skills and driving up the ground with good intent He also leant on his aerial ability to clunk some intercept marks including one which he had no right to win from back position Duursma can continue to develop his contest work and apply more body pressure as a defender He eventually got a run at the centre bounces in term four >> Race to #1: Willem Duursma (Gippsland Power) #6 Josh Lindsay | DefenderGeelong Falcons/Vic Country Lindsay is making a habit of standing up in showcase games and was named best afield for the Academy on Sunday He did largely as he pleased across half-back distributing the ball with 19 kicks at an efficiency rate of 84 per cent hardly wasting a kick as he darted out of defence and looked to change angles creatively making a couple of good reads to intercept or shark the ball of hands His constant motion and foot skills made him difficult to contain >> Star Turn: Josh Lindsay (National Futures) #7 Dylan Patterson | Defender/MidfielderSuns Academy/Queensland Patterson was again impressive with his speed and line-breaking ability from defence before shifting into the midfield He still has improvement to make with his kicking audibly being frustrated with one turnover to the wing and delivering a couple of balls out of bounds He tidied up after half time with more measured darting passes and is capable of getting good penetration on his kicks He proved as much with a long-range goal on the run in term four after receiving the hand-off That kind of play is what makes him so dangerous and his pace draws opposition attention at stoppage >> Star Turn: Dylan Patterson (Queensland Futures) #8 Ben Rongdit | DefenderGeelong Falcons/Vic Country (Geelong NGA) Rongdit only found the ball a few times but only needs those moments to show his potential His closing speed to spoil and willingness to compete aerially were impressive even standing bravely under a high ball to take one of his two marks Few prospects display such defensive intensity as the competitive left-footed prospect who is part of Geelong’s Next Generation Academy (NGA) #10 Wesley Walley | Forward/WingSubiaco/Western Australia (West Coast NGA) The Academy had little trouble finding Walley as he hit up on strong leads with half of his disposals coming from marks leap and clean hands were useful when presenting at the kicker getting good separation from his opponents and managing to snaffle the pill overhead or below his knees Walley’s running patterns and reading of the play were sound and he bagged a couple of set shot goals for his efforts this time finishing well after a less accurate game one Among Walley’s best moments was a contest to bring the ball to ground with a leap through the back of his opponent before recovering the spill and blazing towards goal >> Preseason Q&A: Wesley Walley (Subiaco) #20 Daniel Annable | Midfielder/ForwardLions Academy/Queensland While less prolific than in game one where he was named the Academy’s best He has a great knack for snapping goals and did so to cap off his national duties in style during the last quarter The Queenslander seems more than capable in his second position up forward able to work up the ground or score when stationed deeper He put aside his usual grunt work in this game to spread hard and more often be the receiver with 10 uncontested possessions but still showed he could shrug tackles and handle himself physically >> Preseason Q&A: Daniel Annable (Lions Academy) #21 Harley Barker | Wing/ForwardSturt/South Australia Barker started out with a shaky possession but soon found his feet to have another strong performance in national colours displaying great understanding of the wing role to rack up seven marks and aid the Academy’s transitional play He went at a terrific 88 per cent disposal efficiency to ensure the ball moved fluently and effectively Barker’s speed off the mark was useful in a few instances and he unselfishly centred the ball to give Hetherton a shot on goal in term four >> Preseason Q&A: Harley Barker (Sturt) #23 Sam Cumming | Midfielder/ForwardNorth Adelaide/South Australia Cumming started forward and posted only four touches to half time but willed himself into the game with more midfield minutes after the main break The South Australian could hardly be faulted for effort as he competed hard with the ball in dispute and found reward by setting up a pair of goals in term three Cumming fed Sharp a slick handball before hitting up Ludowyke by foot as both converted their chances #24 Louis Emmett | Ruck/Key ForwardOakleigh Chargers/Vic Metro Emmett made significant strides from his game one performance competing more willingly and boosting his output He got on his bike to find 15 touches around the ground presenting well as a forward and roaming as a ruck The Oakleigh Chargers tall made good use of his time one-out up inside 50 especially in the second term where he handled a floater from Onley before converting the set shot goal Emmett’s mobility was evident as he covered the ground and showcased decent skills for his size even following up to notch five stoppage clearances >> Race to #1: Louis Emmett (Oakleigh Chargers) #25 Koby Evans | Midfielder/ForwardPerth/Western Australia (West Coast NGA) Evans showed plenty of promise after missing the Academy’s first match against Richmond demonstrating his strong athletic base and work rate around the ground well Stationed at centre bounces in the first half Evans was hard at the contest and did well to win the ball in tight He worked hard to be a marking option for teammates in possession getting to good spots and delivering some nice passes by foot when giving time to compose He then moved forward in the second half and worked up the ground to create contests on the wings showing good competitiveness to occasionally win the ball despite being outnumbered Evans showed that he has plenty of tricks to lose opponents and will be looking to tidy up his disposal when under pressure through the year.  >> Preseason Q&A: Koby Evans (Perth) #26 Oliver Greeves | Midfielder/DefenderEastern Ranges/Vic Metro Greeves will consistently deliver through the year as the big bodied midfielder again looked near untouchable in the contest and worked hard with his side in possession to move the ball forward Greeves’ ball use was tidier than his previous outing as he often got good penetration behind his kicks and he demonstrated his work rate well to follow up and get handball receives to keep his side moving quickly With the Academy side possessing so many midfielders Greeves spent a bit of time in the defensive 50 in the second half showing his strength overhead and vision as he looked to change lanes on the rebound #27 Taj Murray | RuckNorth Adelaide/Northern Territory Sharing ruck duties with Duff-Tytler and Emmett Murray was arguably the most effective in the role across the four quarters as he showed off his impressive vertical leap for the taps and ability to impact on the follow-up – unfortunately giving away some free kicks with his tackling efforts Murray showed some keen ball use when he won it able to quickly execute handballs out of congestion and picking good options when delivering by foot.  >> Player Focus: Taj Murray (North Adelaide) #28 Riley Onley | Midfielder/ForwardMurray Bushrangers/Vic Country Onley struggled to have an impact on the game as he spent most of the day out on the wing The moments Onley looked best were when he had taken a mark with one coming as he got loose in transition deep in the forward 50 before quickly centring it to a teammate for an easy goal He looked a little frustrated at times and took it out on Coburg’s Josh D’Intinosante with a late shepherd at half-forward #29 Fred Rodriguez | MidfielderSouth Fremantle/Western Australia The West Australian was another player who struggled to work his way into the game but managed to show off his trademark class with ball in hand and tried hard to impact around stoppages defensively when put in the midfield even getting a free kick for holding the ball early in the game >> Preseason Q&A: Fred Rodriguez (South Fremantle) #30 Dyson Sharp | Midfielder/ForwardCentral District/South Australia Showing marked improvement from his first appearance in the Academy jumper clearances and tackles in a display that showcased his work rate and sheer tenacity around the contest Whilst his ball use could still do with tidying up Sharp consistently followed up to amend any errors and looked to get his side moving forward with most touches registering nine inside 50s across the game cutting off attempted lane changes from Coburg coming out of their back half and presented hard as a target from Academy kick-ins He capped off his day with a well deserved goal for his efforts getting a handball receive from a contest close to goal and converting easily.  >> Race to #1: Dyson Sharp (Central District) #33 Cody Curtin | Key Defender/ForwardClaremont/Western Australia once again starting the defensive 50 without having any real impact there When swung forward he looked to will himself into the game chasing opposition more intently and pushing up the ground to create more contests for his side He got himself on the scoreboard in the final term when he took a strong mark in fast play up forward converting from just past the 50-metre line >> Preseason Q&A: Cody Curtin (Claremont) #34 Cooper Duff-Tytler | Ruck/Key ForwardCalder Cannons/Vic Metro The pick one fancy had the opportunity to show his wares outside of the centre square spending more time up forward than he typically does and demonstrating some strong leading and cleanliness closer to goal Duff-Tytler’s sole major came from a free kick he earned in the goalsquare competing harder for the ball than his opponent and he could’ve had a couple more with one set shot falling short and another drifting to the right from a difficult angle he was still impressive with his stints in the ruck doing as he typically does with his clean ball use and follow-up work from stoppage >> Race to #1: Cooper Duff-Tytler (Calder Cannons) #35 Jasper Hay | Key DefenderTasmania Devils/Tasmania recruiters would’ve been impressed with the competitiveness Hay displayed on the last line of defence and his positioning around marking contests reading the ball well to take a couple of marks out the back Hay just found ways to get a fist into nearly every marking contest he was around at times out-manouvering his opposition to avoid being shepherded out of it >> Preseason Q&A: Jasper Hay (Tasmania Devils) #36 Liam Hetherton | Key ForwardMurray Bushrangers/NSW-ACT constantly pushing up the field to present as an option for his side coming out of the defensive 50 but at times struggled to get enough separation to take marks on his chest Despite the hard work not always paying off he managed to demonstrate some good decision making with ball in hand handing off to runners after marks and looking to spread wide with his kicks >> Star Turn: Liam Hetherton (NSW-ACT Futures) #37 Matthew LeRay | Wing/ForwardCentral District/South Australia LeRay was particularly good in the second half where he worked hard on the outside to get handball receives from contests or present as a marking target around the ground LeRay clearly wanted to demonstrate his running ability more often than not looking to run with ball in hand as far as possible before delivering a longer kick forward but demonstrated that he can compose with the ball after a mark to take shorter options or weight his kicks well when going longer and not under pressure >> Preseason Q&A: Matthew LeRay (Central District) #38 Archie Ludowyke | Key ForwardSandringham Dragons/Vic Metro Ludowyke proved a handful for his opposition as he worked hard forward of the ball to gain separation and lead into good spots managing to adjust to the physicality of his more mature opponents well after the first couple of contests He managed both of his goals over the mark with his second coming from a difficult angle on the boundary line.  >> Preseason Q&A: Archie Ludowyke (Sandringham Dragons) #39 Kalani White | Key Forward/DefenderSuns Academy/Queensland (Melbourne F/S) Swapping positions with Curtin at half time White was arguably more impressive in the defensive half where he was able to win more of the ball and demonstrate his clean ball use by hand and foot White has a knack for being in the right spot but currently lacks of little polish to hold all the marks he’s in the area for almost getting mark of the year early on as the Academy exited defensive 50 White took a one-handed chest mark whilst jumping on his opponents head in the defensive goalsquare in the third quarter >> Preseason Q&A: Kalani White (Suns Academy) A HOST of National Academy members returned to WAFL Women’s sides for Round 5 ahead of the league-wide bye this coming weekend We took note of how each of the State Academy members performed last round All notes are the opinion of the individual author NORWOOD and Central District broke respective losing streaks as Woodville-West Torrens and South Adelaide continued their dominance at the top of the SANFLW ladder Several National Academy members made their return to the competition for Round 6 while others made their debuts and we took note of how each of the State Academy members performed NORTHERN Academies have entered the fray in Round 4 of the Coates Talent League with three of them earning wins over the weekend While there remains one match left to play plenty of Allied prospects emerged as they test their mettle against the best Victoria has to offer >> CTL ROUND 4: Snapshot | Player of the Week […] AN EXTENDED weekend of Coates Talent League action saw four Northern Academy sides join the competition We took note of some of the players who caught the eye across the eight Round 3 matches kicking off with a standalone Anzac Day clash >> ROUND 3: Round wrap | Player of […] WEST Perth has caused a major boilover in the WAFL Colts defeating early pace setter South Fremantle by 10 points on Friday night The Falcons led at every break but were pegged back to a five-point margin at three-quarter time doing enough to hang on and hand the Bulldogs their first defeat of the season WOODVILLE-WEST Torrens notched its fourth win of the SANFL Under 18s season on Saturday holding firm to defeat South Adelaide by 14 points at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval The Panthers kicked five of the last six goals to add respectability to the scoreboard but remain planted to the bottom of the ladder after six rounds VIC METRO snatched a two-point win over the Young Guns in the dying seconds of their clash at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday thanks to a last gasp goal from Lachy Dovaston The Eastern Ranges livewire booted his third major to put the Big V’s inaccuracy aside against slightly more senior opposition THE AFL Academy has won its second of two showcase games for 2025 after defeating Coburg by 23 points at Whitten Oval on Sunday Classy Geelong Falcons defender Josh Lindsay was named best afield after racking up 25 disposals and seven rebound 50s SUBIACO continued its unbeaten streak alongside Claremont who inflicted South Fremantle’s first loss of the WAFLW season in Round 4 as most clubs had to overcome the loss of some key State Academy members we took a look at how those in action performed >> WAFLW Round 5: Round wrap | Player Focus […] If you like the content that Draft Central provides and don’t want to miss any of it then sign up to receive our newsletter today then sign up to our subscriber list where you can be emailed out the latest AFL Draft Guide or sport-specific magazines as well as the option to sign up to a monthly newsletter This is probably not the page you’re looking for Richmond VFL's practice match against Coburg will be live streamed from the Swinburne Centre Live vision of the match and commentary will be available on richmondfc.com.au and our Official Club App SQUAD | Squad confirmed for VFL practice match against Coburg The game against Coburg is the second pre-season practice match for Jake Batchelor's VFL Tigers after last Thursday's defeat by Collingwood at Punt Road Richmond and Coburg will meet again in Round 1 of the 2025 Smithy’s VFL season on Sunday Richmond VFL v Coburg practice matchSaturday Richmond has signed experienced AFLW defender and winger Lauren Brazzale to its AFLW list for the upcoming season Several Richmond players have received fines after a melee in Sunday's MCG clash Richmond draftee Zoe Hargreaves will unfortunately miss the 2025 AFLW season through injury Sam Banks is satisfied Richmond's final match simulation has put the side in good stead ahead of Round 1 against Carlton Richmond has signed defender Lauren Brazzale Check out all the Super Plays from our Round 8 clash against Hawthorn thanks to Hostplus Hear from Richmond coach Adem Yze after the Tigers Round 8 loss to Hawthorn Check out all the Match Highlights from the Tigers clash against Hawthorn Seth Campbell's impressive 2025 season rolls on We extend our deepest respect to First Peoples and Traditional Owners of the land was put on the market by its owners of more than 70 years A run down house in Coburg unexpectedly sold for almost more than $1m at a hotly-contested auction on Saturday The three-bedroom home at 1 King St, featuring cracks in some walls and a dilapidated kitchen was advertised with a $800,000-$880,000 asking range Ray White Coburg’s Raphael Calik-Houston said the abode had been owned by the same family for 73 years who had mostly rented it out including to a long-term tenant RELATED: Brunswick: House where squatters lived scores a seven-figure sale Coburg unit snapped up by first-home buyers a week before scheduled Townhouse in Coburg’s Pentridge precinct, with its own guards’ watchtower, sells at auction The house’s condition did not deter buyers with four bidders taking part in the auction that kicked off with a $800,000 bid land and long-term potential,” Mr Calik-Houston told the crowed who had gathered to watched the residence go under the hammer He said that anyone wanting to do a renovation could retain the California Bungalow’s facade The house was placed on the market when bidding reached $940,000 About 30 buyer groups inspected the house prior to the auction A Hills’ hoist clothesline in the back yard A cheeky bidder jokingly asked if Mr Calik-Houston would accept a $1 bid at the $961,500 mark who was on the phone to her father from Singapore ended up participating in the auction via video Although she had never inspected the house in person her family had checked it out on her behalf But she just missed out on the home when the hammer came down on a $970,000 bid An old-fashioned fireplace adds character to one of the bedrooms The successful buyer is planning to renovate the house that’s set on a 419sq m block “He’s planning to do the project and hopefully flip it maybe not flip immediately – he might see what the market does and might live in it for a while,” Mr Calik-Houston said “He’s hoping to keep the front of the house and the front three rooms “He wants do an open-plan extension at the back and retain as many of the home’s period features as possible which is fantastic.” Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox MORE: Joe Avati: International comedian making multiple property moves around Melbourne Restoration Australia: Beaumaris mid-century marvel restored on TV show hits the market Election call to save Alfred Deakin’s Point Lonsdale home third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. Energy infrastructure company Jemena is making locally generated renewable energy available to more homes and businesses through new community batteries now installed in Bellfield and Coburg The community batteries located at Cyril Cummins Reserve in Bellfield are Jemena’s first two community batteries installed within its electricity network in Melbourne’s north-west They are supported by the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program Related article: ARENA funds national community battery roll-out Jemena executive general manager of networks Shaun Reardon said community batteries help stabilise the electricity grid while enabling more homes in Melbourne’s north-west to install rooftop solar “Over the next 10 years the number of our electricity customers with rooftop solar is set to double from 15% to around 32% Installing community batteries in areas with a high uptake of rooftop solar is one of the ways we are preparing our network for the future,” Reardon said “Community batteries charge during the day when there is often a peak in solar generation and surplus solar energy available They then discharge later in the evening when solar generation has reduced but there is higher demand for electricity as more people are at home.” Homes and businesses on the same low-voltage network as the community batteries automatically access the energy they store through their existing electricity supply “There are around 130 homes and businesses accessing the locally generated renewable energy stored in the Bellfield community battery and around 245 homes and businesses accessing the energy stored in the Coburg battery,” Reardon said Each battery has around 400kWh of storage which is the same amount of energy used by around 165 homes for two hours at night The locations in Bellfield and Coburg were selected in consultation with local councils A number of factors were considered when choosing the locations including electricity network constraints in the area and projected growth of solar installations Local residents and community groups were engaged as part of the project and had their say on the look and position of the batteries The community batteries are one of a number of projects underway that will allow more export of solar energy back into the grid across Jemena’s electricity network “The amount of solar energy that can be exported back into the grid within our electricity network has grown by more than 70% from levels seen in 2020,” Reardon said Related article: Ausgrid launches sixth community battery in Cammeray “This was achieved through an optimisation program aimed at ensuring the network is equipped to host additional solar energy with no impact to the power supply customers rely on each day “We will continue to invest in new technologies to maintain grid stability as solar uptake increases.” Sign up to receive the latest Energy News emailed directly to your Inbox Click Here to Subscribe Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time The tiger snake in my basement is not typical of Coburg North I just like to start there because it’s a story that travels well The lovely beast slid in from the garden late one arvo while I was down there looking for something I promptly forgot because now I had a tiger snake in my basement The story illustrates my favourite thing about my suburb: the bush that cuts a wild V-shaped swath through it like a set of inverted lungs linked by two converging creeks weirdly comforted by the reminder that everything up on brick and bitumen level is temporary another auspicious memory is the fire billowing from the top floor of the abandoned Kodak building down the road It appeared a day or two after we sealed the plunge into home ownership 15 years ago I saw a nifty invocation of The Tower tarot card: danger the former fearlessly bagged by Steve the snake wrangler; the latter by the inevitable process of urban renewal part of a 20-hectare housing development that has brought in about 1000 new neighbours and kept the small strip of takeaway joints and cafes shuffling Dining out options are my suburb’s weak spot And if you want a drink in a licensed premises But with adjective situated stylishly after noun Coburg North is clearly a cut above plain old Coburg in more than the geographic sense That’s because of all that recreational space for one thing Jackson Reserve wetlands and Coburg Lake parkland sprawl either side of the outdoor Olympic pool footy oval and a table tennis club around there too Some folks I know have even been inside them The grittier side of the non-residential coin is a fair whack of industrial zoning site of the heritage-listed Village Drive-In Cinema and the busier third of the rectangle west of Sydney Road The Gaffney Street superstores front a labyrinth of indie trade suppliers from sand and soil to glass and bric-a-brac My favourite lock-up is Round Again: paradise for pre-loved hi-fi and record hunters It’s a suburb with a distinct east-west divide That western Sydney-Road-to-Sussex-Street block I call the Coles end of town The Lincoln Mills chimney still towers behind Bunnings: the last vestige of a teeming textiles operation that employed most of Coburg at its peak between World War I and 1980 If you ever see a trickle of teenagers pouring off Sydney Road or Batman train station they are probably going to Coburg Velodrome it’s been an unlikely summer dance party venue for the past few years programming those all-day multi-DJ hellscapes my kids have given up trying to explain to me There’s more historical intrigue at the Woolies end The aforementioned Kodak factory ruled here from ’61 to 2004 a steamroller of manufacturing optimism that slowly consumed 40 hectares of dairy land that was still operated by the family of 1880s Scottish immigrant John McKay Kodak’s award-winning modernist buildings were opened by awestruck prime minister Bob Menzies back in an indestructible age of industry that looks from here like a fever dream of Shelley’s Ozymandias under brand-new streets quaintly named for pre-digital memories: Spectrum Way My neighbour Alba worked at Kodak for a while As a young girl she remembers Mr McKay riding his horse along the ridge across the creek a perch now dominated by the recycling plant the Big 4 Caravan Park was full of travelling circus folk Her mum used to tell her aunt in Brunswick how much clearer the air was up here Aerial photos from Kodak’s reign show a lot less greenery than I walk my dog through now shrubs and grasses with the Friends of Edgar’s Creek a fantastic community organisation bent on the steady restoration of a landscape the original Wurundjeri mob might recognise outside of my basement — although I have a strong suspicion the developers will unearth a bit of wildlife in the rotting weatherboard a couple of doors up According to the notice that just went up outside the peeling pile is due to be razed for “construction of two double-storey dwellings” Another weirdly comforting reminder that everything else is temporary Michael Dwyer is a Melbourne-based freelancer who specialises in music I just like to start there because it\\u2019s a story that travels well Dining out options are my suburb\\u2019s weak spot That\\u2019s because of all that recreational space for one thing It\\u2019s a suburb with a distinct east-west divide it\\u2019s been an unlikely summer dance party venue for the past few years There\\u2019s more historical intrigue at the Woolies end The aforementioned Kodak factory ruled here from \\u201961 to 2004 Kodak\\u2019s award-winning modernist buildings were opened by awestruck prime minister Bob Menzies back in an indestructible age of industry that looks from here like a fever dream of Shelley\\u2019s Ozymandias Aerial photos from Kodak\\u2019s reign show a lot less greenery than I walk my dog through now shrubs and grasses with the Friends of Edgar\\u2019s Creek I\\u2019m sure the tiger snakes are loving it outside of my basement \\u2014 although I have a strong suspicion the developers will unearth a bit of wildlife in the rotting weatherboard a couple of doors up the peeling pile is due to be razed for \\u201Cconstruction of two double-storey dwellings\\u201D THE AFL Academy will convene for its second of two showcase fixtures on Sunday in a clash against Coburg at Whitten Oval After fighting back in a 13-point loss to Richmond’s VFL affiliate a fortnight ago the elite Under 18 squad will try its hand against a standalone club boasting Mid-Season Draft prospects >> SCROLL for the full squad & predicted lineup >> Scouting Notes: AFL Academy vs. Richmond VFL FootscrayHOW TO WATCH: Live stream via AFL website >> PROFILED: 2025 AFL Academy squad Coburg is poised just a game outside the Wildcard places but just as far off bottom spot with a 1-3 record The Lions’ strong percentage was boosted by a breakthrough victory last time out Two of their losses have come against AFL-aligned teams in Collingwood (24 points) and Richmond (13) while also going down to Southport in a three-point thriller Mid-Season Draft prospect Cooper Keogh is a must-watch in the ruck along with the emergence of Donovan Toohey Coburg also has prolific recent VFL representatives Flynn Gentile and Jack Bytel on its list Check out our game one preview for an in-depth look into how the Academy may line up. A TANTALISING matchup for only Round 3, the highly talented Gold Coast Suns Academy – which went undefeated last season including knocking off eventual Coates Talent League Girls premier Oakleigh – will take on the in-form Dandenong Stingrays on the Gold Coast. THE AFL Academy will convene for its second of two showcase fixtures on Sunday in a clash against Coburg at Whitten Oval. After fighting back in a 13-point loss to Richmond’s VFL affiliate a fortnight ago, the elite Under 18 squad will try its hand against a standalone club boasting Mid-Season Draft prospects. >> SCROLL […] RETURNING for Round 2 of the VFL Women’s competition, fans got an early taste of action with a special Anzac Day battle between North Melbourne and Williamstown earlier today. Box Hill and Port Melbourne head out to Wonthaggi in a unique Sunday country clash, while the remaining four games are on Saturday. Our match in […] AN ANZAC Day clash between two sides desperate for a win opens Round 6 of the SANFL Women’s competition where the four games will be spaced out across three days. We begin with a preview of Glenelg hosting Norwood at Stratarama Stadium from 5:30pm tomorrow. FIVE fresh sides enter the Coates Talent League Girls competition in Round 3 with Tasmania Devils coming off an extended break, and the four Queensland and New South Wales Academies. In this specific article we take a look at the Anzac Day clash between the Devils and Sydney Swans Academy. A secondary preview will look […] THE BEST of the 2025 AFL Women’s draft class will be on full display this Sunday when the AFL Women’s Academy has its biannual match against the All-Stars. The Academy won both matches last year, the first being a thrashing against a combination Victorian and Allies side, before a much tighter contest facing the best […] REIGNING VFL Women’s premier, newly named North Melbourne-Werribee plays host to Carlton in the 2025 season opener with an early 9:15am start this morning. We take a look at those two teams with the rest of the sides coming tonight. WHILE Gather Round rages on over in Adelaide, the AFL Academy will converge in Melbourne for the first of two exhibition matches. Richmond VFL is the Under 18 outfit’s first opponent, with the matchup slated for Sunday afternoon at RSEA Park. Coburg is up next at Whitten Oval on Sunday April 27. >> SCROLL for […] JUST two venues play host to Coates Talent League Girls action this weekend, with a triple-header at Epsom Huntly Reserve on Saturday, and three games across two days at Highgate Recreation Reserve. Our highlighted match to preview is the grand final rematch between Oakleigh Chargers and Eastern Ranges. If you like the content that Draft Central provides and don’t want to miss any of it, then sign up to receive our newsletter today. If you like the content that Draft Central provides and don’t want to miss any of it, then sign up to our subscriber list where you can be emailed out the latest AFL Draft Guide or sport-specific magazines, as well as the option to sign up to a monthly newsletter. Richmond VFL defeated Coburg by 16 points, 14.8 (92) to 12.4 (76) in their second official practice match of the pre-season on Saturday afternoon. Josh Pollocks was potent early, registering two goals in the opening term and finishing with three for the afternoon. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richmond VFL (@richmondvfl) Livewire forward Mohammad Yassine was impressive in his return from injury with two goals. Mohammed Yassine finishes off a nice transition for the Tigers. After earning the praise of coach Jake Batchelor after the side’s first practice match against Collingwood VFL last Thursday morning, Massimo Raso was once again impressive for the VFL Tigers three goals, as was Sam Toner, who also booted three majors. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Richmond VFL (@richmondvfl) Toner and Raso “put countless hours in during the week with their forward craft.” Hear from stand-in captain Nicholas Girolami after todays practice match win against Coburg “It’s always good to get the first win of the season.” and it shows the work of the pre-season is paying off,” he said it’s probably the only time this year we’ll have a full VFL-listed side…I enjoyed it heaps "It just means we've got heaps of depth and talent in our list." Reuben Hanson was impressive as a key defender while Nicholas Collier was strong in defence Tom McCarthy also starred for the VFL Tigers Check out all the highlights from the Tigers practice match win against Coburg Richmond VFL look ahead to their third-and-final practice match against Carlton Toby Nankervis opens up on what it means to be named captain for a fourth season in episode 3 of Richmond's Forging Forward Collingwood has defeated Coburg by 24 points in their Round 3 VFL clash at Barry Plant Park the opening half was a shootout as the Pies and Lions traded blows – with the margin not going beyond 10 points for either side Defender Tew Jiath was a big presence in the backline showcasing his speed and agility to quickly transition the ball out of Collingwood’s defensive 50 booting two goals in the opening quarter and finishing the half with three Riley Mason also finished the first half with three goals following on from his four-goal haul in his VFL debut in Round 1 Premiership Pie Will Hoskin-Elliott provided much needed pressure in the Pies’ backline finishing the opening half with a game-high four tackles to go with his second-quarter goal Coburg came out firing in the third quarter Collingwood struggled to match Coburg’s composure however Charlie West helped spur his team with a goal after being hit up by Mason with Josh Browne and West kicking back-to-back goals to bring the Pies within two points The Lions and Magpies clash in round three West kept his third quarter momentum going kicking two quick goals to open the final quarter the Collingwood backline in Charlie Dean and VFL captain Sam Glover were well prepared Mason found himself on the end of another goal and Tom Wilson kicked consecutive goals to bring the Pies home by 24 points MATCH CENTRE: COBURG V COLLINGWOOD Lachie Sullivan was the leading ball winner for Collingwood, finishing his day with 28 disposals and eight clearances. Riley Mason (five goals) backed up his four-goal haul on debut in Round 1, while 2024 AFL draftee Charlie West (five goals) and Mason Cox (three goals) made their presence known in the forward line. Finlay Macrae (24 disposals, two goals) was also impressive following his return to footy in 2025 following his return from shoulder injury. Collingwood will now turn their attention to facing Brisbane’s VFL side on Friday 18 April at Brighton Homes Arena, Springfield QLD (12:05pm). Tew Jiath kickstarts exciting transition from defensive 50, finding Riley Mason deep in the forward line for a goal. COBURG             5.4       9.6     14.9     15.13  (103)COLLINGWOOD  5.0      10.3    14.5     20.7    (127) GOALSCoburg: Mitch Podhajski (4), Josh D’Intinosante (4), Jesse Corigliano (3), Donovan Toohey, Max Thompson, Jordyn Gillard, Matthew AllisonCollingwood: Riley Mason (5), Charlie West (5), Mason Cox (3), Finlay Macrae (2), Will Hoskin-Elliott, Tom Wilson, Oleg Markov, Will Hayes, Josh Browne BESTCollingwood: Riley Mason, Charlie West, Lachie Sullivan, Oscar Steene, Mason Cox, Josh Browne The Collingwood Football Club is pleased to unveil its 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round (SDNR) guernsey. The Collingwood Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the death of former player David Norman. Record breaker Jack Crisp missed the chance to win the game after the siren for Collingwood as his side fell short by three points to Geelong in a thriller at the MCG. Watch Collingwood's Round 3 VFL clash against Coburg at Barry Plant Park. VFLW captain Dom Carbone leads from the front in Collingwood's loss to the Western Bulldogs in Round 3. Defender Charlie Dean was a standout in the Pies' VFL defeat to the Dogs. Watch as Sloane, Lilah, and Murphy Crisp are mic'd up for Jack's 245th consecutive game. Inside the team meeting as Craig McRae addresses the team following Collingwood's Round 8 loss to Geelong. The Pies suffer their second VFL loss of the season, going down to the Bulldogs at Victoria Park. The Collingwood Football Club respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation, as the land on which the Collingwood Football Club works and plays. The Club pays its respects to elders past and present as the knowledge-holders and custodians of this land. TALENTED Geelong Falcons prospect Josh Lindsay boosted his top 10 draft stocks with a best-afield game for the Marsh AFL Academy in its win over Coburg's VFL side. Lindsay, along with ball-winners Dyson Sharp and Ollie Greeves, was the Academy's best as it cruised to a 23-point win over its Coburg opposition in the second of the Academy's performances against VFL opposition. The damaging left-footed Lindsay has been among the candidates viewed as a possible top-10 pick this year and added to his CV with the best afield medal for the Academy after his 25-disposal effort. He also had seven rebound 50s, with the performance adding to a promising start to his under-18 season.  Sharp controlled the midfield contest with 26 disposals, six tackles, five clearances and nine inside 50s in a quality display, while Greeves finished with 21 disposals and six marks after a hot start that saw him have four clearances in the opening term. The Academy, coached by former Magpie Tarkyn Lockyer, uses its two games against state league opponents to move players around different positions and expose them to a range of roles across the contests and was too good in the 11.13 (79) to 8.8 (56) result.  Willem Duursma (20 disposals, eight marks) got more involved as the game went on, while tall forward Archie Ludowyke and half-forward Wes Walley both booted two goals each. Ludowyke took his tally to five goals across the two Academy games to further establish himself among the best key forwards in this year's group.  Potential No.1 pick Cooper Duff-Tytler had some exciting moments in the ruck while roaming around the ground and kicked a goal from his 12 disposals, while Suns Academy pair Beau Addinsall and Dylan Patterson were also among the players to catch the eye.  The Academy made the early running and got out to a 17-point lead at half-time before kicking three goals to one in the last term.  Donavon Toohey (34 disposals, eight rebound 50s) and Joel Trudgeon (24 disposals) were consistent contributors for Coburg, as was Dom Payman, who kicked three goals.  AFL ACADEMY                2.5         5.8         8.9         11.13 (79)COBURG VFL                  2.1         3.3         7.6            8.8 (56) GOALSAFL Academy: Ludowyke 2, Walley 2, Addinsall, Annable, Curtin, Duff-Tytler, Emmett, Patterson, SharpCoburg VFL: Payman 3, Andrew, Bromell, Crick, Podhajski, Toohey     Gold Coast Academy’s Usher on her ACL injury, rehab battles and best friend Havana Harris Unusual celebrations, freak goals, incredible misses and more in our look back on the April action of the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership season Three-time premiership coach Mick Malthouse gives host Bharat Sundaresan the rundown on how Australian football began, and how it became such a significant part of Australian culture With a challenging month of away clashes ahead, Fremantle needs to find a way to win on the road if it's to seriously contend in 2025, writes Nathan Schmook Damian Barrett and Matthew Lloyd with the latest news and opinions from Round 8. His future is already a talking point, but Power star Zak Butters is happy to let a decision wait Check out the Rising Star for AFL’s Round 8, Hugo Garcia Will a hard tag from Jack Viney be the reason Harley Reid leaves the Eagles? Vote now on your favourite marks from Round 8 of the Toyota AFL Premiership Season. In the spirit of reconciliation the AFL acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Richmond VFL has kickstarted their 2025 campaign with an impressive 13-point win over Coburg, downing the Lions 13.10 (88) to 11.9 (75) on Sunday afternoon in Beaconsfield. A chaotic football and strong wind helped the young Tigers brigade take control early, capitalising in the forward line, while restricting Coburg to just two goals in the opening term. Richmond put four majors on the board, headlined by a debut goal from Massimo Raso that sent the Tiger Army into a frenzy. Massimo Raso kicks the first goal of the year for the Tigers in his first VFL game. Raso spun his way through traffic and kicked the Club's first of the VFL season. Samson Ryan stood tall, piling on two of the first term goals, both from set shots, while Austin Johnson had the other major. But the Tigers were drawn to a standstill in the second quarter, as Coburg managed to control the football and not allow it inside Richmond's forward line. The Lions added five goals of their own to take a 13-point lead into the main break. Kane McAuliffe kicks a magnificent running goal to kick start the Tigers third term. A much-needed reset after half time saw a firing Tigers side hungry for first use, with Kane McAuliffe collecting clearances and allowing the forward line to set up as they pleased and take scoreboard control. McAuliffe also kicked Richmond's first goal of the third, while Tyler Sonsie's run off the wing set up Samson Ryan for his third of the day, closing the deficit to just one point. Tom Sims also showed promise, after a spectacular one-handed grab in the third term resulted in the side's second goal. But it was Vice-Captain Joel Garner who brought the Tigers back to life, with a snap from just inside 50 to give the home side a four-point lead. Catch all the action from the Tigers VFL win against Coburg. Jasper Alger's brilliance and running power saw Richmond stretch out to a 10-point lead deep into the third, before Sims struck again, plucking another impressive pack mark to slot his second. At the final break, Richmond found themselves out to a 15-point lead, after piling on six goals in the term, thanks to clearance work from Sonsie and McAuliffe. But Coburg refused to make the final quarter easy, kicking the first two majors, before Raso snapped another blinder out the back of the pack to stretch the lead back to nine points halfway through the last. Austin Johnson kicks a brilliant goal to close the game for the Tigers. Sonsie proved his worth throughout the second half, with a final term goal to put Richmond up by 15 points, before Johnson kicked his second to stretch the margin to 21 points. Sonsie lead the day with a stellar 33 disposals and a whopping 10 clearances, while McAuliffe impressed with 29 and a goal. Ryan booted three majors and Sims had two on his Club debut, while Jonty Faull was promising in his first game in the Yellow and Black. Richmond has signed experienced AFLW defender and winger Lauren Brazzale to its AFLW list for the upcoming season. Several Richmond players have received fines after a melee in Sunday's MCG clash. Richmond draftee Zoe Hargreaves will unfortunately miss the 2025 AFLW season through injury. Adem Yze admits the roller-coaster that will be season 2025 is something Richmond must prepare for. Richmond has signed defender Lauren Brazzale. Check out her highlights. Check out all the Super Plays from our Round 8 clash against Hawthorn thanks to Hostplus. Hear from Richmond coach Adem Yze after the Tigers Round 8 loss to Hawthorn. Check out all the Match Highlights from the Tigers clash against Hawthorn. Seth Campbell's impressive 2025 season rolls on. We extend our deepest respect to First Peoples and Traditional Owners of the land, air and waterways where we live and work. Play Duration: 4 minutes 38 seconds4m 38sBrought to you by Will the Greens get their hands on the seat once held by Bob Hawke? Raf Epstein hit the streets of Coburg to talk to voters in the federal seat of Wills.  Press play to hear the issues they raised on 774 ABC Radio Melbourne Mornings. Published: 12h agoSun 4 May 2025 at 10:30pm Download the ABC listen app to text and call your favourite live radio A circa-1910 house in Coburg has been updated for modern life but retains its period charm Nelson Alexander’s Sam Gotzilianis says the semi-detached residence at 12 Beckwith St features polished timber floors original fireplaces and a front garden planted with English Box shrubs and other greenery the beautiful leadlight windows throughout and facade just draws you in as soon as you see it,” Gotzilianis says RELATED: Coburg unit snapped up by first-home buyers a week before scheduled Coburg: Pentridge precinct townhouse, featuring its own guards’ watchtower, sells at auction ‘Bit of a vibe’: Melb family riding the $1m+ wave north in Coburg North he sold the two-bedroom abode to its owners who have made several changes to the house in their time there the property has been repainted and the have put in plantation shutters hydronic heating and a deck in the backyard and extensively landscaped the front and back garden adding a raised veggie garden,” Gotzilianis says The kitchen has been updated with stainless-steel appliances including a Bosch dishwasher and timber benchtops Double doors open to the rear garden’s outdoor deck A servery window opens to the meals and living area fitted with a study alcove Gotzilianis says the owners even added an attic storage space into the front bedroom’s ceiling Laundry facilities are part of the bathroom and the house is also equipped with airconditioning bike trails and the Pentridge Coburg complex “You’re literally seconds away from Sydney Rd – honestly you don’t even need a car,” Gotzilianis adds Polished timber floorboards and high ceilings in the home The owners have added a raised vegetable garden couples and downsizers have inspected the house The residence will be auctioned with a $930,000-$980,000 price range on March 15 at 11am MORE: Craigieburn digs where the former owner was proposed to sells above expectations Moonee Ponds: Former Aussie soccer player Ivan Kelic’s house could set a new suburb record How homes across Victoria have changed since 2000, and what they could look like in 2050 You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream Press PLAY to listen to Tony Leonard’s full review VENUE: Fairly typical outer-ish suburban pub with full gaming/tote/sports bar the First and Last (F&L) has a steady as we go offer in food and drink Located in the shadows of Fawkner Cemetery in North Coburg/Hadfield/Fawkner (yes there are 3 references) the pub has a wild west saloon feel to it in the spacious dining room There is a kids playroom attached so the family feel is here Merlynston station on the Gowrie line is 500 metres away The standard specials are plentifully applied free pool Sundays and a two hour happy hour with $7 schooners etc tartare ($32) while listed in the starters are made for a share Pastas/steaks/chicken dishes run a familiar line also More fair play to the F&L in regard to the wine list Prices are fair and $10per glass is the most paid for a Pepperjack Shiraz Just a bit more care in the finish and this would sit well at any pub Something Different to Eat: Grilled Afghan bread This is a different starter for sure and never seen (by me) on a pokies dining menu Surcharges: None on cards//10 per cent on public holidays Summary: There is no reinvention of wheels here with everything you would expect to get in any part of Melbourne that constitutes “outer suburbs” no real faults here at the First and Last North Coburg/Fawkner/Hadfield The Coburg Night Market is returning to the gardens of Bridges Reserve for its 24th iteration Enjoy a weekend of international street food local music acts and more than 45 stalls selling sustainable fashion high-energy group Propane Trio will kick things off on Friday night along with indie-pop artist Magnets and local band Bad Bangs On Saturday’s roster: Triple R’s Small Fry Sunday will see Melbourne-based Palestinian singer-songwriter Yara Halo Vocal Ensemble and Afro-disco beats by Wrong Way Up The event also welcomes back the Mindful Mob Healing Market – a cultural space to explore Spirit and better care for our health and Country cultural healing seasons and stories from Elders Other workshops and activities include screen pritning with Troppo Print Studio dance and storytelling sessions with local creative Jackie Sheppard and a community choir workshop with Halo Vocal Ensemble There’ll also be 27 food trucks to fuel punters throughout the evening including Bao Melbourne Antonios Pizza e Cucina and Billy van Creamy This is an all-ages event and dogs are welcome More information here. but we don't want to lose you.\"}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"notfound-page__text-block\",\"children\":\"We recently updated the way we organise our articles 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googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/TUD_Homepage_Internal_728x90' 'div-gpt-ad-1664889583870-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n // article leaderboard (mobile)\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/970x90_top_leaderboard' 'div-gpt-ad-1511489394358-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n // skycraper\n var homeSkyscaper = googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x600_homepage_Skyscraper' 'div-gpt-ad-1511394913790-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n var homeSkyscaperTwo = googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x600_2nd_homepage_skyscraper' 'div-gpt-ad-1511938125244-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n // medium rectangle\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_LHS_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511395165249-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_Middle_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511395202314-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_RHS_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511395237641-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_Mobile_Middle_MREC' 'div-gpt-ad-1511489982092-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x600_2nd_homepage_skyscraper' 'div-gpt-ad-1511938773649-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/728x90_leaderboard_position_2' 'div-gpt-ad-1510792120057-0').addService(googletag.pubads());\n googletag.defineSlot('/34178149/300x250_Article-page_Position01' initial-scale=1\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"1\",{\"charSet\":\"utf-8\"}],[\"$\",\"title\",\"2\",{\"children\":\"Significant Infill Sites on Offer in Coburg Revamp Plan | The Urban Developer\"}],[\"$\",\"meta\",\"3\",{\"name\":\"description\",\"content\":\"Plans to transform the inner-north suburb include significant infill development sites near public transport potentially offering multiple council-owned sites for development as part of a major urban transformation strategy.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn April 2024 Council endorsed the Revitalising Coburg: Objectives initiative which provides six overarching objectives for the centre a Merri-bek City Council spokesperson told \u003cem\u003eThe Urban Developer\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Revitalising Coburg initiative aims to convert the suburb’s centre from a car-dominated precinct into a pedestrian-friendly hub.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to online planning portal BCI the redevelopment costs would be approximately $150 million although the council cannot confirm this figure.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe council is releasing potential development sites including Waterfield Street West and East and Russell Street East.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to the Revitalising Coburg: Objectives document “the complexity of land issues in an urban area like this one [means] we will have to work with a wide variety of partners”.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“It might mean partners who can work with us to provide and manage new housing or new shops like the two supermarkets that Council owns and leases to the Coles Group and new smaller cafes bars and shops that broaden the retail offer to deliver on community aspirations,” council documents said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFormer Merri-bek City Council Mayor Adam Pulford said the council possessed several pieces of land right in the centre of Coburg giving the it significant influence over its future.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSome of these land parcels have been under council ownership for decades.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The council has a vision to transform this area from what can feel like a barren wasteland of carparks,” Pulford said.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“We know that this land especially social and affordable homes.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDevelopment opportunities span 4.418ha across central Coburg with the council open to exploring innovative financial and delivery models with partners.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe project would be delivered in three phases beginning with a health and community services precinct followed by the Coburg Library and Waterfield Street carpark development then the Louisa Street carpark site.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to documents the council hopes for “efficient use of land to deliver more community benefits exploration of innovative financial and delivery models and partnerships with entities that share the council’s values and vision”.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCouncil data suggests strong investment potential with the population projected to increase 24 per cent by 2036 Current data shows 4341 households in Merri-bek (6.4 per cent) require affordable housing with 84 per cent of these being low or very low-income households.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCouncil research indicates every $1 invested in affordable housing generates $3 in community benefits through improved worker retention and high-quality housing incorporating social and affordable elements.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe council said the area’s transport links and service infrastructure serve as key investment drivers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach development site entails unique considerations and planning controls required to be addressed through detailed technical assessments.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe transformation strategy includes provisions for commercial development with the council seeking to strengthen the night economy and increase retail diversity.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCurrent data shows strong community engagement with existing facilities with the Coburg Library alone attracting 17,000 visitors monthly.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePartnership opportunities extend beyond property development to include potential collaborations with state and federal government departments water authorities and housing providers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"1ygee1g0QhsVabul9Vmd53\"\u003e\u003cpicture\u003e\u003cimg src=\"//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2SA542xDLfNErcgDtY4JB5/2569f5c0b29dbcbeca878bf5f7bb627e/coburg-revitalisation-plan-mid.jpg\" alt=\"Waterfield Street West and East and Russell Street East\" data-mce-src=\"//images.ctfassets.net/8pr762qjocl3/2SA542xDLfNErcgDtY4JB5/2569f5c0b29dbcbeca878bf5f7bb627e/coburg-revitalisation-plan-mid.jpg\"\u003e\u003c/picture\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan style=\"opacity: 0.8;\" data-mce-style=\"opacity: 0.8;\"\u003e▲ Developable sites include Waterfield Street West and East and Russell Street East.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe council said its focus was on maximising community benefits while ensuring commercial viability.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArchitectural services tenders are open and contracts are expected to be awarded in January.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInterested developers can access project information and updates through Conversations Merri-bek with the council undertaking technical work to understand specific site opportunities and constraints.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCoburg’s revitalisation plan comes amid significant private sector investment in the suburb—case in point is the recent $9.75-million sale of a permit-ready development site at 45S Pentridge Boulevard 8km from Melbourne’s CBD.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSalvo also has plans in place or a \u003ca href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/pentridge-village-salvo-mixed-use\" data-mce-href=\"https://www.theurbandeveloper.com/articles/pentridge-village-salvo-mixed-use\"\u003e$1.2-billion redevelopment of a 19,000sq m site at Coburg’s Pentridge complex\u003c/a\u003e Lendlease’s third residential building in the Collins Wharf precinct of Victoria Harbour.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 28-storey building at 971 Collins Street in Melbourne’s Docklands will deliver 312 homes in a mix of one two and three-bedroom apartments as well as townhouses and penthouses.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAccording to Lendlease the project has already secured more than 50 per cent in presales.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHickory is the construction contractor—it completed the precinct’s first development in 2019 and is also working on LendLease’s second tower Regatta.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor Ancora Hickory is implementing several technical construction methods including various piling techniques and precast concrete solutions that enable a parallel-track construction program.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe building’s facade designed by architect Warren and Mahoney uses a three-stage design incorporating double-glazed glass and textured precast concrete with Reckli and brick finishes.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe structural design transitions from a solid podium base to lighter upper levels “reflecting a maritime theme” aligned with the Collins Wharf design objectives.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAncora will connect to the neighbouring Regatta development via a podium allowing resident access to shared amenities.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDesigned as an all-electric building that includes electric vehicle infrastructure the development is targeting a 5 Star Green Star certification Completion is expected in 2027.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegatta including build-to-rent and build-to-sell units.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eExtensive wharf works including remediation of pre-existing wharf piles installation of raker piles and construction of the extension to Australia Walk are also part of the project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTechnical challenges include constructing on the finger wharf and co-ordinating extensive above-wharf road reserve and public parkland works.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Collins Wharf precinct will ultimately comprise six residential buildings of more than 1800 homes surrounded by over 5000sq m of parks and community space.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease is developing the parkland concurrently with the residential components including the extension of Australian Walk that forms part of the City of Melbourne’s Greenline project.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLendlease executive director of development Adam Williams said Collins Wharf “is fast becoming a sought-after address .. which took just a handful of hours to emerge on Saturday night the Coalition’s failure to sway voters has come under intense scrutiny.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIts lack of policies around property that resonated with voters has been a large part of that criticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong those policies was a $5-billion infrastructure program to unlock up to 500,000 new homes was greeted with no small amount of scepticism.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Coalition also campaigned on its previously revealed plan to allow first home buyers to draw down on their superannuation giving access to up to $50,000 to help fund mortgage deposits.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile that proposal had won some support it got the thumbs down from many of Australia’s top economists who said the measure could prove highly inflationary among other issues.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimilarly its plan to allow mortgage interest for first home buyers to be tax-deductible was roundly criticised for its likely inflationary and regressive effects.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt has also been pointed out that the Coalition’s rejection of the Green’s policies around housing supply affordable housing and help for renters did it no favours.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ALP went to the polls spruiking an extension of schemes introduced during its previous term including a $10-billion promise for its first-home buyers’ scheme to encourage 100,000 more homes.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt also had its Help to Buy shared equity scheme under which the Government pays up to 40 per cent of the house price to point to.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf it was these policies per se or the lack of detail and depth to the Coalition’s the nation's ready for the Albanese government to act.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat is clear been endorsed to follow through on its policies and fix the crisis that is crippling the Australian property sector.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Urban Taskforce Australia chief executive\u0026nbsp;Tom\u0026nbsp;Forrest has pointed out it is time for the Federal Government to get back to work.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Housing affordability and housing supply featured large during the campaign,” Forrest said.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The key now is for the Government to strike while the iron’s hot.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“If legislation is needed to support the delivery of Labor’s $10-billion 100,000 new homes commitment—then pass it through the parliament now and get on with it.”\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe states have made many changes to how they enable home development The Federal Government’s support of that is crucial to its success material supply assistance or any other factor that affects getting homes out of the ground.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis has been a pivotal election Then Cities for Total Fan Immersion\",\"slug\":\"billionaire-arsenal-rams-denver-nuggets-sports-anchored-precincts\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-04-30T00:00+10:00\",\"tags\":[],\"summary\":\"Why your next home might be stadium-adjacent; sports are the hook potentially offering multiple council-owned sites for development as part of a major urban transformation strategy a Merri-bek City Council spokesperson told The Urban Developer The Revitalising Coburg initiative aims to convert the suburb’s centre from a car-dominated precinct into a pedestrian-friendly hub although the council cannot confirm this figure The council is releasing potential development sites including Waterfield Street West and East According to the Revitalising Coburg: Objectives document [means] we will have to work with a wide variety of partners” “It might mean partners who can work with us to provide and manage new housing to deliver on community aspirations,” council documents said Former Merri-bek City Council Mayor Adam Pulford said the council possessed several pieces of land right in the centre of Coburg giving the it significant influence over its future Some of these land parcels have been under council ownership for decades “The council has a vision to transform this area from what can feel like a barren wasteland of carparks,” Pulford said Development opportunities span 4.418ha across central Coburg with the council open to exploring innovative financial and delivery models with partners The project would be delivered in three phases and partnerships with entities that share the council’s values and vision” Council data suggests strong investment potential with 84 per cent of these being low or very low-income households Council research indicates every $1 invested in affordable housing generates $3 in community benefits through improved worker retention health cost savings and reduced crime rates Development aspirations stated in the Ojectives include a new library and cultural facility and high-quality housing incorporating social and affordable elements The council said the area’s transport links and service infrastructure serve as key investment drivers Each development site entails unique considerations and planning controls required to be addressed through detailed technical assessments The transformation strategy includes provisions for commercial development with the council seeking to strengthen the night economy and increase retail diversity Current data shows strong community engagement with existing facilities with the Coburg Library alone attracting 17,000 visitors monthly Partnership opportunities extend beyond property development to include potential collaborations with state and federal government departments The council said its focus was on maximising community benefits while ensuring commercial viability and contracts are expected to be awarded in January Interested developers can access project information and updates through Conversations Merri-bek with the council undertaking technical work to understand specific site opportunities and constraints Coburg’s revitalisation plan comes amid significant private sector investment in the suburb—case in point is the recent $9.75-million sale of a permit-ready development site at 45S Pentridge Boulevard Salvo also has plans in place or a $1.2-billion redevelopment of a 19,000sq m site at Coburg’s Pentridge complex The Urban Developer has contacted the incumbent Merri-bek mayor for comment Brunswick Voice No on-site car parks will be provided for more than 100 town house residents MERRI-BEK Council has waived residential car parking requirements in a decision which allows the city’s first major car-free town house development to go ahead in Coburg North The project by Brunswick-based developer Nightingale Housing on the site of an industrial foundry in Sheppard Street will contain no residents’ car parking spaces for 72 dwellings the developers will only be required to provide five spaces for a car share operator one for disabled access and two for a loading zone The project is the first time Nightingale’s car-free model which has been used extensively for apartment projects in Brunswick has been adapted to a medium density town house development The council chamber erupted into spontaneous applause after the council’s Planning and Related Matters committee approved the project at its first meeting for 2025 on Wednesday night two and three bedroom town houses on the 10,000 square metre site in Sheppard Street which borders Hosken Reserve and is a few hundred metres from Sydney Road and Merlynston Station Nine dwellings would be sold to an affordable housing provider at a 20% discount to the market rate Nightingale’s housing model actively discourages car ownership and most of its apartment projects have had no on-site parking Critics say this has resulted in some Nightingale residents parking their cars in nearby streets a development of this size would require the provision of 100 on-site parking spaces for residents but Nightingale argued that the proximity of public transport made this unnecessary along with access to a car share scheme for all residents Providing on-site parking would have added about $50,000 to the cost of each unit The application was referred to the PARM committee primarily because the changes to car parking requirements were a significant deviation from the planning scheme Nightingale co-founder and acting managing director told the meeting that the project would be unviable if it was not allowed to waive the parking requirements “We ask that you understand we’re in a housing crisis not a car parking crisis and that housing is a basic human right “If we have to reduce the number of housing to put in more car parking the only thing we can do is to reduce the number of affordable housing.” Other speakers in favour of the project included Jonathan O’Brien from the pro-housing development YIMBY Melbourne group warned the lack of on-site car parking would have a negative impact on neighbouring residents because it would result in cars being parked in the streets instead She said there needed to be more scrutiny and additional conditions to offset the impact of additional traffic “The Nightingale car-free model is great in theory I’m really on board with what they’re trying to do but I just don’t believe it works in Coburg North … Coburg North is not Brunswick People in my community are far more likely to feel the need to own a car,” she said in whose Bababi Djinanang ward the development is located said local residents had been provided with no rights to object to the project Bolton said she wanted to see the project go ahead but suggested Nightingale could purchase land nearby to provide additional residential parking Deputy Mayor Helen Politis voted against the project after foreshadowing an alternative proposal for Nightingale to provide 30 parking spaces on the site But Cr Natalie Abboud said the council had to support housing projects which encouraged reduced car usage the permit with reduced parking was approved by a clear majority of nine councillors out of 11 with only Politis and Mayor Helen Davidson voting against it We are an independent hyperlocal news organisation owned and run by the people in your community. With your support we can continue to produce unique and valuable local journalism for Brunswick and the inner north of Melbourne.  Become a supporter About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Advertising Brunswick Voice acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the traditional custodians of the lands and waterways in the area now known as Brunswick and pays respect to their Elders past and present and to all First Nations people and communities Brunswick Voice embraces their traditional and contemporary cultural and creative expression and significant contribution to life in the area Get our latest articles and current events around Brunswick straight to your inbox SUBSCRIBE → sells at auctionAlesha Capone dates back to the 1870s when it was part of the Pentridge Prison complex A first-home buyer is the proud new owner of a slice of Melbourne’s history The buyer purchased a two-bedroom townhouse at1 Sentry Lane that’s part of the former Pentridge Prison’s Woollen Mill conversion carpenters’ workshops and blacksmiths’ areas RELATED: ‘Bit of a vibe’: Melb family riding the $1m+ wave north in Coburg North Charming Coburg period home sells for $1.28m amid fierce bidding Auctions: Coburg villa sells for more than $50,000 above its reserve price under the hammer Prisoners worked in the mill while serving out their sentences the entire prison site was converted into a residential Jellis Craig Northern’s Yash Akpinar said more than 150 groups inspected the townhouse prior to the auction “I think what stood out is how unique the property is,” Mr Akpinar said Exposed brick gives the townhouse an industrial feel One of the home’s two courtyards even has a separate guards’ watchtower that is now used for storage Mr Akpinar said the townhouse’s industrial look including timber floors sealed sash windows and exposed brickwork was another feature that stood out to buyers The kitchen is fitted with stone bench tops built-in workstation and concealed wall storage form part of the main bedroom A waterfall-style island bench takes centre stage in the kitchen Mr Akpinar said four bidders contested the auction “There was strong bidding out of the gates the auction kicked off with a $670,000 bid,” he said He said most of the interested buyers were looking for their first home Pentridge Prison was established in 1851 and the Victorian government sold it to developers in 1999 Some of the prisoner’s most infamous inmates included bushranger Ned Kelly and gangland identity Mark ‘Chopper’ Read MORE: Couple buy their first home in Melbourne while holidaying 3100km away in WA $30m Canterbury home could break suburb’s lofty residential price record Brighton: Designer Kirsty Ristevski’s home hits the market for $7m Collingwood has named its VFL side for Sunday's Round 3 clash against Coburg Midfielder Finlay Macrae and defender Oleg Markov have been included marking the first appearance in any Collingwood fixture this season for both players Watch the highlights from Collingwood's Round 1 VFL victory against the Sydney Swans Premiership players Will Hoskin-Elliott and Mason Cox have been named Charlie West and Joel Cochran round out the AFL-listed players set to run out for the Pies Captain Sam Glover will play his first match of 2025 after illness kept the utility sidelined for the Round 1 victory against Sydney Don't miss out on the action! Lock in your Level 1 seat for our biggest home games at the 'G with the Standard Reserved Bay Membership. The Collingwood Football Club is pleased to unveil its 2025 Sir Doug Nicholls Round (SDNR) guernsey The Collingwood Football Club is deeply saddened to learn of the death of former player David Norman Record breaker Jack Crisp missed the chance to win the game after the siren for Collingwood as his side fell short by three points to Geelong in a thriller at the MCG Collingwood has beaten its arch rival Carlton by 17 points to secure its third win on the trot in the 30th Peter Mac Cup at the MCG on Thursday night VFLW captain Dom Carbone leads from the front in Collingwood's loss to the Western Bulldogs in Round 3 Defender Charlie Dean was a standout in the Pies' VFL defeat to the Dogs and Murphy Crisp are mic'd up for Jack's 245th consecutive game Inside the team meeting as Craig McRae addresses the team following Collingwood's Round 8 loss to Geelong The Pies suffer their second VFL loss of the season going down to the Bulldogs at Victoria Park The Collingwood Football Club respectfully acknowledges the traditional owners as the land on which the Collingwood Football Club works and plays The Club pays its respects to elders past and present as the knowledge-holders and custodians of this land Most of us would blanch at its locale on a small triangle of once-unloved land right alongside the elevated Upfield line, but it’s that very urbanity that provides the house with its most intriguing conceit – the ability to create sanctuary mere metres from Coburg station and the buzz of Bell Street. Come and see. Viewed from the front, the house has an almost inscrutable look. From its rear elevation, it could be a little, dark-toned, twin-peaked cottage in a forest. Really. That’s just one of the incredible examples of design alchemy on instructive display in this creative, carbon-neutral castle. The inspired practices used to achieve its impeccable green credentials are too numerous to mention here – so too are the awards garnered – but its eco-smarts never undercut comfort and style. The central living space is sunken and splendid with light flowing from two courtyards (spaced at either end) and the long back garden Storage is smartly integrated into walls and nooks First home buyer nabs Coburg cottage for $1.065 million How Passive House design can reduce your home’s energy consumption A platform rolls across to the dining area and further to the luminous kitchen Dark cabinetry and floors anchor the spaces while northerly light floods in Browse Domain’s property and lifestyle magazines we need to ascend to the heavenly scenes above Their fitout is extraordinary –  three of them have heavy-duty netting tracking up to mezzanine loft beds creating hang-time of an altogether extraordinary kind The main bedroom opens onto the breathtaking rooftop garden and a stunning central bathroom has a living wall garden and westerly views to the sunset another bedroom/retreat has excellent dimensions tiny chill-out room just adjacent for when the world gets annoying While the house is intricate as well as expansive perhaps it’s the garden that’s the crowning glory here It arrows straight back to its triangle point with greenery growing all the way filtering the water of the incredible natural pond in a house that has everything and costs the earth virtually nothing Sam Rigopoulos, Jellis Craig “Hütt 01 Passiv-Haus is a landmark of sustainable design, setting new benchmarks for energy-efficient living while maintaining a luxury focus. Crafted by award-winning architects, it embodies innovation and excellence.” The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate The 2025 season is just around the corner so EDFL Media will be previewing each club heading into Round One we chat to Coburg Districts coach Damien Cavka who provides some insights on their 2025 campaign Building a culture where actions speak louder than words We’re committed to creating a brotherhood that thrives on accountability and every moment together is about reinforcing these values - pushing ourselves and each other to be better Success won’t come from words alone but from the habits we build and the way we respond to challenges as one it’s a commitment to something bigger than ourselves We hold each other to the highest expectations because that’s what will drive our growth and ultimately lead to success." "From the moment I walked into Coburg Districts I wanted to make it clear that character and a strong competitive instinct are non-negotiables It’s not just about talent - it’s about the type of player and person you are we’ve strengthened our list with a balance of experience and youth ensuring we have the depth needed to compete at a high level seasoned players provides invaluable leadership giving our younger lads the perfect environment to learn "We don’t just measure success on individual talent - it’s about the collective strength of the group we’re building a team that not only competes but also embodies the values and standards we stand for as a club." I’ll let our boys' actions do the talking and onlookers can be the judge of this hopefully as the year commences." "We've had team bonding and building events as well as our crew committing to weekly Saturday sessions to start 2025 which was around mental toughness and creating a bond with one another." "We want to give the competition a red hot crack as all clubs do however the competition as a whole is well rounded and competitive so we just want to be the best we can be week to week." Anthony Caccamo - has been such a great support for me and gives everything for the club and playing list Ian Fisher or big Jmac - wouldn’t want to be standing in their firing line if running at the ball Player most likely to become a coach one day however I reckon there are a few to choose from It’s not the will to win that matters - everyone has that It’s the will to prepare to win that matters Who’s one opposition player you’d love on your side Brendan ‘Fevolution’ Fevola – he still gives me nightmares back to when I was a 10 year old kicking eight against the Pies with four in the last resulting in a loss Would love to reconnect with Wade Lees also What match are you most looking forward to in 2025 and why Super respect to Westmeadows and their program great running side and were one of the best in 2024 - I don’t think they’ll take a backward step in 2025 Shannon Evans (Northern Districts Superules) It was a solid 2024 campaign for Coburg Districts which resulted in them being just a game and six per cent out of finals Damien Cavka has returned to Strathmore Community Bank Division Two and brought some Keilor Park premiership teammates with him They weren't far off a finals appearance in 2024 with five of their first seven games a loss by 13 points or less if their incoming recruits can fill the gaps just as well you'd think finals is well in the mix for Districts Elliot Giakalis and his family are riding Melbourne’s $1m wave north The city’s million-dollar club has defied the odds and grown across 2024 despite widespread home value falls for almost 200 suburbs Mr Giakalis bought a Coburg home when it was just him and his golden retriever Sammy He watched the suburb become a $1m neighbourhood a few years later RELATED: Aussie gold hunters reveal how to spot a bush block with gold on it Aussies getting trapped in ‘mortgage prison’ not to mention Sammy having been joined by Theo the labrador retriever their daughter Odette and dogs Theo and Sammy at their Coburg house another of Melbourne’s newly minted $1m suburbs but settled on the perfect home for them in Coburg North Renovated and offering a rear garden with heaps of edible plantings that was “an absolute oasis” it was the perfect fit for their next step MORE: Investor’s surprise move as portfolio hits 35 homes they know the suburb is worth every cent of its new $1m median price tag “The things we have where we are in Coburg we will still have access to and the Merlynston shops have a bit of a vibe going,” Mr Giakalis said Dog Sammy and Elliott’s family has grown a lot the nearby Merlynston train station is fourth last on the Upfield line which is one of Melbourne’s shortest rail routes “So I am definitely getting a seat on the train in the morning.” A total of eight areas have had typical home prices stretch to seven figures this year See the full list in our story here MORE: How much RBA’s grinch move will really cost you Portelli slammed: Block is dud investment Marketing mogul puts $8.8m ‘street secret’ oasis up for sale Five unanswered goals set up a 28-point West Coburg win against Hillside on Nelson Alexander EDFL Match of the Day West Coburg coach Mark Micklethwait joined the crew with player of the game Dinny Cleary Check out EDFL Podcasts in your browser or listen below I like to tell myself that we made a very canny investment when we moved to Pascoe Vale South in 2002 buying a liveable period home close to the city and public transport the only reason we ended up here was because we’d been priced out of Coburg (having previously been priced out of Brunswick) we made the trek west down Moreland Road – leaving our beloved Sydney Road far behind but we didn’t just move to any old part of Pascoe Vale South We moved to the prestigious Coonans Hill of Pascoe Vale South For those not well versed in the geography of the area Coonans Hill is a slightly elevated patch that begins at Moreland and Melville roads and the fourth corner – the best one – is Coonans Hill Rising north from Moreland Road and ending around Shore Reserve the Hill is filled mainly with pre- and interwar homes – and the occasional orange or brown brick veneer – like the joints on either side of us labourers from Tipperary who settled around the area in 1867 it’s a remaining tie to the suburb’s colonial/settler history – Wentworth House in Le Cateau Street believed to be Victoria’s oldest private dwelling still standing in its original site one of Victoria’s first prefabricated buildings the Wentworth House property was subdivided into three lots in 2017 to make way for more housing The truth is the Coonans Hill moniker’s main value is to real estate agents who use it to squeeze a few extra bucks out of people who can’t afford Coburg it feels like Pascoe Vale South isn’t even a legitimate suburb It’s got the same postcode as Pascoe Vale proper – 3044 – and our tiny population of about 10,500 is almost half that of our neighbour (about 18,000) I suspect that at some point in the past century a local councillor with substantial land holdings struck a deal to rename the area to distinguish it from the more industrial areas of Pascoe Vale running north of Bell Street and beyond to the badlands around Boundary Road Those northern parts are now more popular than the southern end with their massive blocks allowing developers to squeeze half a dozen units on them Pascoe Vale South turned out to be just like Coburg The local school and kinder were both within walking distance and great We made friends with the parents of our kids’ friends (some of whom we even actually like) The problem with where we had chosen to live was that back then the only nearby place with an espresso machine was the local bakery They did a mean white high tin loaf and neenish tart we spent the first 10 years deeply regretting the move and wishing we had plunged ourselves into a massive mortgage on a fall-down Coburg cottage that was closer to a decent cafe Our growth isn’t the most noteworthy of all the exciting changes in the past two decades Nor is it the demographic change as more young people who can’t afford Preston Footscray or Reservoir – let alone Thornbury or Coburg – move in the most exciting thing – the thing that really captured the imagination of our little suburb – has been the opening of Miinot Gelato When I first saw that someone was building an ice-cream shop in the middle of a windswept largely vacant bend of shops on Melville Road I loudly declared that whoever the f---ing idiots were The constant 20-person-deep queues of ice cream lovers who gather there daily quickly disproved my theory It’s also long rumoured that the occasional helicopter seen landing on Shore Reserve is the Miinot owners making their morning commute to work from Portsea You’re no doubt filled with envy and contemplating how you might manage a move from whatever hole of a suburb you live in to the paradise that is Pascoe Vale South A three-scoop cup of gelato at Miinot costs $12 but if you’re moving in with a couple of kids you’re going to need to factor that weekly expense into your mortgage calculations Houses are still relatively cheap by Melbourne standards David Clements is a songwriter and long-time Pascoe Vale South resident The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge, champion and inform your own. Sign up here the only reason we ended up here was because we\\u2019d been priced out of Coburg (having previously been priced out of Brunswick) we made the trek west down Moreland Road \\u2013 leaving our beloved Sydney Road far behind but we didn\\u2019t just move to any old part of Pascoe Vale South and the fourth corner \\u2013 the best one \\u2013 is Coonans Hill the jewel in Pascoe Vale South\\u2019s crown the Hill is filled mainly with pre- and interwar homes \\u2013 and the occasional orange or brown brick veneer \\u2013 like the joints on either side of us it\\u2019s a remaining tie to the suburb\\u2019s colonial/settler history \\u2013 Wentworth House in Le Cateau Street believed to be Victoria\\u2019s oldest private dwelling still standing in its original site one of Victoria\\u2019s first prefabricated buildings The truth is the Coonans Hill moniker\\u2019s main value is to real estate agents who use it to squeeze a few extra bucks out of people who can\\u2019t afford Coburg it feels like Pascoe Vale South isn\\u2019t even a legitimate suburb It\\u2019s got the same postcode as Pascoe Vale proper \\u2013 3044 \\u2013 and our tiny population of about 10,500 is almost half that of our neighbour (about 18,000) We made friends with the parents of our kids\\u2019 friends (some of whom we even actually like) I have always believed that if you wait long enough in Melbourne And that\\u2019s what happened in Pascoe Vale South The first to arrive was Lady Melville (technically in Brunswick West No sooner had it arrived than the others followed We now have eight lovely cafes within a short walk comes alive with local parents knocking back amazing cocktails and Mexican snacks before running home to relieve the babysitter at 10pm Our growth isn\\u2019t the most noteworthy of all the exciting changes in the past two decades Nor is it the demographic change as more young people who can\\u2019t afford Preston Footscray or Reservoir \\u2013 let alone Thornbury or Coburg \\u2013 move in the most exciting thing \\u2013 the thing that really captured the imagination of our little suburb \\u2013 has been the opening of Miinot Gelato It\\u2019s also long rumoured that the occasional helicopter seen landing on Shore Reserve is the Miinot owners making their morning commute to work from Portsea You\\u2019re no doubt filled with envy and contemplating how you might manage a move from whatever hole of a suburb you live in to the paradise that is Pascoe Vale South but if you\\u2019re moving in with a couple of kids you\\u2019re going to need to factor that weekly expense into your mortgage calculations The Opinion newsletter is a weekly wrap of views that will challenge A young couple snapped up their first home in Coburg at its Monday night auction which was brought forward by nearly a week because of how popular the abode was The two-bedroom unit at 3/106 Rennie St was sold for $857,000 — $117,000 above its $740,000 reserve price The property was initially listed with a $680,000-$730,000 asking guide RELATED: Future Victoria: What Victorian houses could look like in 2050 Future Victoria: No room for cricket in shrinking back yards Fierce competition for Melb home that sold for first time in 70 years McGrath Northcote principal Gino De lesi said he received an early offer of $740,000 for the unit and when he went to advise the other seven prospective purchasers that there was an offer on the table the seller was willing to take The dining space is adjacent to the living room Mr De lesi said three of the seven interested parties contested for the home with the auction starting on a bid of $740,000 “So the actual buyer that made the offer obviously didn’t get a chance to put their hand up again,” he said “There was three buyers and then it came down to two right at the end and sold for $857,000 He added that there was certainly a bit of confidence and demand back in the market “Every second buyer that had interest in the property … kept on asking if the owners (were) open to selling before auction,” he said “That generally sends the message that there’s fear of missing out.” CoreLogic records reveal the seller purchased the unit for $705,000 in October 2019 after it was listed for $590,000-$640,000 in September that year The unit has an outdoor entertainment area two bedrooms with wardrobes and semi-vaulted ceilings throughout MORE: Terrifying number of Aussies in mortgage or rent stress Inside renowned Oscar-nominated Melb producer’s modernist pad Frankston South mansion obliterates suburb record by $6m Coburg took a step in the right direction in 2024 with the Lions enjoying several drought-breaking successes as well as two Battle of Bell Street wins against their biggest rival Position: 18thW-L-D (%): 5-13 (83.8%)Players used: 41Played every match: 6 – Jesse Corigliano Lachlan WalkerEx-AFL players: 1 (11 matches)Debutants: 12 – Henry Brown Best and Fairest: 1st: Flynn Gentile (119 votes) Mitch Podhajski (3)Coaches MVP Award: Flynn Gentile (48 votes) Hugo Bromell (17)Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year: Flynn Gentile (interchange)Leading Goalkickers: Josh D’Intinosante (24) (Averages – Minimum 6 matches)Disposals: Joel Trudgeon 27.4 Hugo Bromell 22.2Contested possessions: Cooper Keogh 14.3 (8th) Luke Bailey 10.0Kicks: Donovan Toohey 18.9 Jesse Corigliano 12.0Handballs: Joel Trudgeon 15.3 (8th) Lachlan Walker 11.7Marks: Deacon Kalpakis 6.1 Jesse Corigliano 4.9Tackles: Joel Trudgeon 7.9 (6th) Flynn Gentile 3.9Hitouts: Cooper Keogh 37.2 (4th) Rhys Galvin 0.3Clearances: Cooper Keogh 6.8 Hugo Bromell 4.6Inside-50s: Flynn Gentile 6.3 (1st) Josh D’Intinosante 3.2Rebound-50s: Donovan Toohey 5.8 What went right: After a winless season in 2023 the Lions went within a whisker of knocking off Williamstown in Round 2 before breaking a 23-match losing streak against Collingwood in Round 4 – downing the Magpies for the first time since 2012 They went on to claim five victories in a significant improvement winning both Battles of Bell Street (their first since 2015) downed Casey for the first time since 2014 and came from 29 points down early in the last term to knock off Port Melbourne Young gun Flynn Gentile won his first Sullivan Medal as club champion and earned selection in the Team of the Year after being the No.1 inside-50 deliverer in the VFL What went wrong: There was some heartbreak early on against Williamstown in a game decided after the siren which they possibly would have won if council works didn’t render Piranha Park out of action and send their Good Friday to Craigieburn Star recruit Hugo Bromell’s season-ending knee injury in Round 11 and Mitch Podhajski only managing six games due to an ankle issue were significant blows Summary: The Lions have every reason to be happy with what they achieved while also feeling they could have done even better They only lost to league powerhouse Williamstown after the siren with a rollicking comeback and they pushed grand finalist Southport to 11 points while a mid-game lapse cost them against North Melbourne But it is all part of the growth of a team who hadn’t won in 18 months before stunning Collingwood so five wins – three of them drought breakers – and lifting their percentage from 56 to 84 is an extremely solid result so they can be confident of making further inroads next season CarltonCollingwoodNorthern Bullants The AFL is pleased to confirm that the 2025 NAB AFLW Season will commence the week beginning August 11 Coburg’s new neighbourhood hangout Sweet Nectar Inn combines the charm of the classic Australian milk bar with the laid-back appeal of an American dive bar “We wanted to have the sort of hybrid corner store and local bar where you could come for a casual drink in the afternoon and leave with a bottle of wine and some groceries to put dinner together,” says Devon Hunter who co-owns the bar with his partner Sam O’Farrell travel spots and more – curated by those who know “We want to make sure everyone feels comfortable drinking something they haven’t tried before or would otherwise be nervous to ask about,” says Hunter The wine list and rotating tap beers are all Australian and the bar hosts relaxed wine and beer tastings are scrawled on the blackboard and the bar has refillable one-litre flagons you can use to take home wine from producers including Fin Wines and Konpira Maru a ceramicist and former sales assistant at Preston Apothecary has curated a small pantry section with City Larder pates Plates are provided for what Hunter calls a little “DIY picnic situation” and anything from the pantry can be enjoyed inside or at one of the small footpath tables Devon and O’Farrell transformed a former hair salon and completed as much of the fit out themselves as possible “We were left with a pretty blank slate to do everything from the ground up,” says Hunter They custom fitted the space with warm wooden furniture and O’Farrell spent nearly six months crafting 300 handmade tiles for the bar top They’re adorned with colourful hand-painted motifs and tie into the flower-shaped ceramic light fixtures she also made The west-facing bar is tucked away from the bustle of Sydney Road and warm light fills the space in the hours before sunset dreamily showing off the owners’ handiwork @sweetnectarinn Bakeries and Restaurants That Opened or Closed in April 32 of the Hottest Dishes and Drinks in Melbourne Right Now Menu Reveal: Five Things To Order at Junda Khoo’s Ho Liao First Look: Filipino Pop-Up Palay Moves to Fitzroy for Good Essendon VFL have named five changes to its side to face the Lions this Sunday at Piranha Park Winning four of their last five matches the Bombers will look to finish off the home and away season strong as they make the trip to Coburg Blake will make his debut for the club continuing the Caracalla name in the red and black Jayden Nguyen (Calder Cannons) will also debut on Sunday Alwyn Davey Jnr and Will Setterfiled return to the side The Dons take on Coburg from 1:05pm at Piranha Park on Sunday with streaming available via the AFL website Read the key individual stats from Thursday night’s close win North Melbourne pip Dons by 10 points at Windy Hill Natalie Wood has penned a two year contract extension Jordan Ridley and Jade Gresham will all miss against Sydney We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Custodians on whose Country we are based We acknowledge their ongoing connection to Country and pay respect to their Elders We extend that acknowledgement and respect to all First Nations peoples throughout Australia The three-bedroom townhouse in 13 O’Hea Street was listed with a price guide of $850,000 to $935,000, and the reserve was set at $930,000. The property was one of 1330 scheduled to go to auction in Melbourne this week. By evening, Domain Group recorded a preliminary auction clearance rate of 64.7 per cent from 983 reported results throughout the week, while 117 auctions were withdrawn. Withdrawn auctions are counted as unsold properties when calculating the clearance rate. The only bidders, a young couple with two children, negotiated with the seller afterwards and bought the house. They were looking to relocate from their smaller Elsternwick rental to be closer to work. One registered bidder said they were waiting to see the effects of the upcoming election before buying a home. The other had a budget of $880,000. Raphael Calik-Houston, of Ray White Coburg, said he was surprised by the “unique” outcome. Historic South Melbourne home selling for first time in 135 years Kensington: This Melbourne suburb evokes the charm of its famous London counterpart 9 of the best properties for sale in Victoria “That one buyer was really, really committed, and they wanted to negotiate, so we ended up agreeing on a figure,” he said. “But we were taken off-guard because we had a really strong campaign … We thought there would be a back-and-forth between bidders.” The home has bright interiors and renovated bathrooms. It is close to train stations, local parks and Sydney Road. Calik-Houston said elections could bring about uncertainty in the property market, even with a “more affordable” price point. “[The election] might be playing a small role on people holding back and seeing, with a [possible] change of government, if there is a new policy that is going to change things with the market,” Calik-Houston said. A workers’ cottage in Fitzroy sold for $1.13 million to a first home buyer, whose parents bid on his behalf. The price guide was set between $950,000 and $1.04 million, with a reserve of $1 million. Bidding opened at $900,000, with a vendor bid at $950,000, before climbing quickly in increments of $10,000 and $20,000 up to $1.1 million. It came down to a battle between two first home buyers, and the local buyer secured the win through his parents while he was at work. The underbidder was a young couple. Mark Verrocchi, of Nelson Alexander Fitzroy, said the small home was a “quintessential Fitzroy property” and the auction had a strong turnout. “It was an old workman’s cottage, and it had a lot of character and charm … It was well attended, with lots of neighbours, and there was a nice round of applause [when the property sold],” Verrocchi said. A house in Frankston North sold for $655,000 at auction, changing hands for the first time in more than 50 years. 1 Bath2 ParkingView listing The three-bedroom home at 8 Gardenia Crescent was listed with a price guide of between $559,000 and $590,000. The reserve was set at $545,000. The property attracted seven bidders, including four first home buyers and three investors. Two had flown in from Sydney. Bidding opened at $540,000 and rapidly climbed. Most bidders dropped off around $625,000. The final two bidders faced off until a local carpenter in his 30s won, beating out the underbidder who was represented by an advocate. Mark Burke, of OBrien Real Estate Frankston, said the home had strong interest despite its modest interior. “Buyers seemed to like [the property]. It might have been because you could possibly [develop] something behind it,” he said. Auctions in the area have been competitive. Burke said Frankston North was popular with interstate buyers because of its affordability compared with Sydney. “They think it’s cheaper here, which it is,” he said. “If you compare it, it’s a lot cheaper.” In Fairfield, a young family bought a small Edwardian home for $1.855 million, well above its price guide. 1 Bath2 ParkingView listing The two-bedroom house at 23 Gordon Street was listed with a price guide of $1.6 million to $1.65 million. The reserve fell within that range but was undisclosed. The auction opened with a vendor bid at $1.6 million and five local bidders competed. Bidding went quickly in $10,000 increments until hitting $1.8 million, then slowed to $5000 and $1000 jumps. The winning bidder was a local young family who wanted to stay in the area for its proximity to schools. The underbidder was another local young couple. Carl Sacco, of Nelson Alexander Northcote, said buyers were drawn to the property’s size and family-friendly location. “It was a really good block and a really good spot,” he said. “It’s just off Station Street. It’s mainly the block size that people were after. It’s 550 square metres. “It’s a real community in Fairfield, all the neighbours know each other; they’re all going to the local schools.” The centre for the latest in sports and draft news is making locally generated renewable energy available to more homes and businesses through new community batteries now installed in Bellfield and Coburg are Jemena’s first two community batteries installed within its electricity network in Melbourne’s north-west They are supported by the Australian Government’s Community Batteries for Household Solar program Jemena’s Executive General Manager of Networks Shaun Reardon said community batteries help stabilise the electricity grid while enabling more homes in Melbourne’s north-west to install rooftop solar “Over the next ten years the number of our electricity customers with rooftop solar is set to double from 15 percent to around 32 percent Installing community batteries in areas with a high uptake of rooftop solar is one of the ways we are preparing our network for the future,” Mr Reardon said “Community batteries charge during the day when there is often a peak in solar generation and surplus solar energy available They then discharge later in the evening when solar generation has reduced but there is higher demand for electricity as more people are at home.” “There are around 130 homes and businesses accessing the locally generated renewable energy stored in the Bellfield community battery and around 245 homes and businesses accessing the energy stored in the Coburg battery,” Mr Reardon said “A Community Reference Group was established made up of residents and representatives from community groups and sports clubs located near each battery site Members helped select the local artists to create the artwork ensuring the battery reflects the unique landscape of the area,” Mr Reardon said “We also engaged local households and businesses through letterbox drops The community batteries are one of a number of projects underway that will allow more export of solar energy back into the grid across Jemena’s electricity network “The amount of solar energy that can be exported back into the grid within our electricity network has grown by more than 70 percent from levels seen in 2020,” Mr Reardon said “This was achieved through an optimisation program aimed at ensuring the network is equipped to host additional solar energy with no impact to the power supply customers rely on each day “We will continue to invest in new technologies to maintain grid stability as solar uptake increases “This is part of our work to build the energy system of the future; one which supports our customers to lower their emissions and delivers energy reliably and safely.” Jemena is a $12.9 billion company that owns and manages some of Australia's most significant gas and electricity assets ·                Jemena's Victorian electricity network which delivers electricity to over 370,000 homes and businesses in northern and western Melbourne ·                the Jemena Gas Network servicing 1.5 million customers around NSW ·                the Eastern Gas Pipeline which delivers gas from Victoria's Gippsland basin to the ACT ·                the Queensland Gas Pipeline which supplies Gladstone and Rockhampton ·                the Darling Downs Pipeline System which transports gas to the Wallumbilla gas trading hub and to the feeder pipeline to the APLNG LNG liquefaction plant at Gladstone ·                the Northern Gas Pipeline from Tennant Creek in Northern Territory to Mount Isa in Queensland.  Jemena also part-owns the ActewAGL electricity and gas distribution networks in the ACT and United Energy which supplies electricity to more than 600,000 customers across south-eastern Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.  More information on Jemena can be found at www.jemena.com.au  Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet Pay per release or save with a subscription One of the most important bike routes across Melbourne’s north will be revamped in a transport and urban design project launched by the City of Merri-bek The Munro Street-Harding Street corridor spans Coburg from Pascoe Vale in the west across to the Merri Creek in the east; a 3km link to a raft of attractions – schools shopping precincts and major north-south bike routes It is a designated strategic cycling corridor in the Melbourne metropolitan network and a key connection in the municipality’s local bike plans but the route has major shortcomings and is compromised by a large volume of through traffic that really should be using the Bell Street arterial just one block to the north catering for pedestrians will be important but bus routes also constrain options for other road users To initiate planning for the future project the council has opened public consultation to seek feedback and ideas for the future of the street https://conversations.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/improving-harding-munro-street The council wisely envisages a project that goes beyond just transport including street calming and safety improvements environmental upgrades with more vegetation as well as designs elements to improve attractiveness for users of the street and for local businesses Preliminary designs based on this consultation will be developed and presented for further consultation next year The timeframe for the improvements will depend on the council budget and external funding opportunities but it is anticipated that some sections of the corridor will undergo construction in the 2026/27 financial year with further improvements in the years following Become a Member and help fund our advocacy work Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter. The Great Victorian Bike Ride is set to return in 2025 on 24–28 November, offering an exciting new format while keeping the spirit of this beloved event alive. Bicycle Network Memberships offer benefits to all kinds of riders, on all kinds of bikes. The Peaks Challenge Ride2School fundraiser is on again for this year's epic event on Sunday 9 March. The City of Adelaide will undertake a speed limit review to understand the need for reducing speeds to support business and residents and create a safer city environment. Work on the much-anticipated $38.9 million Sydney Harbour Bridge ramp upgrade has begun.  When completed, the bike lane will link the country's most famous bridge to the bike network in Milsons Point.  Late last year, we launched our Affiliate Membership program, specially designed for cycling groups and clubs. Orange in New South Wales is in line for a nice new stretch of bike path, one that will expand the off-road network and improve access to schools, playgrounds and sports facilities. Work has kicked off on a key Canberra bike route, setting the wheels in motion for safer and more pleasant journeys through the city’s northern suburbs. In a submission to the federal government’s draft National Urban Policy, Bicycle Network and seven other Australian bicycle organisations have called for active transport infrastructure funding to be increased to 10% of federal transport investment. Many of our best bike journeys are along coastlines, or up and down the creeks and rivers that meet the sea. These are generally traffic-free routes, scenic, calm and refreshing. But with rising sea levels some of this vital infrastructure is at threat of inundation, erosion and from changes in groundwater chemistry. If you like the content that Draft Central provides and don’t want to miss any of it, then sign up to our subscriber list. The centre for the latest in sports and draft news. Essendon VFL concluded their season with a 38-point win over Coburg on Sunday afternoon. Recording a sixth win from their final seven games, the Bombers' depth of AFL-listed players played a pivotal role in the side's build over the second half of the season. VFL Senior Coach Blake Caracella reviews their performances from the final round. 41 disposals, eight clearances, seven marks, five tackles, one goal He was strong in the contest as usual and his clearance numbers gave a pretty good indication of that. He used it pretty efficiently by hand and foot from those 41 touches, getting involved in plenty of our attacking opportunities (13 score involvements). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Essendon VFL (@essendonvfl) 27 disposals, six clearances, five tackles, four marks, one goal A really typical ‘Will Setterfield’ performance. He’s just real solid in congestion, connects with his teammates very well on the ground and always gives us an advantage in contested situations. ‘Goldy’ looked really dominant in the ruck early but unfortunately copped a corkie late in the first term. He tried to run it out but couldn’t continue after the second quarter, sitting out the rest of the game. ‘Hayesy’ controlled his opponent pretty well in the aerial contests. Even when he wasn’t taking the grabs himself, his positioning was really strong to allow Will Hoare (12 marks) to cut across and get the job done as well. ‘Hindy’ was really important for us with his ground ball work. He was clean with his hands, repelled opposition forward thrusts quite a bit and gave us his expected leadership and vocal presence out on the ground. He was big for us in the last month of the season. 37 hit-outs, 15 disposals, four clearances, two goals Pete played forward early then moved into the ruck full-time after ‘Goldy’ went down, so it was a new experience for him. His follow-up looked good after half-time and he seemed to embrace the change in scenery pretty well, still finding his way onto the scoreboard. Alwyn had a pretty good game, pushing up to the wing and playing a couple of different roles for us. We wanted to see defensive pressure from him throughout the day, so to notch up the four tackles was a good effort as well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Essendon VFL (@essendonvfl) We finally got ‘Luey’ his goals this week, playing him as a deep forward late. He’s had a few games where he’s threatened to make scoreboard impact and is showing he can play multiple positions for us, which is promising. Probably not as much of the footy for Jayden this week but when he gets it, he makes things happen. He set up a couple of goals in the second half on account of his speed, which has been a clear asset for him over this season. The defensive element of Tex’s game was better than in recent weeks. He looked really well connected with the defensive group, even if the focus in that area meant he wasn’t able to get forward and gather as much of the footy this time around. There’s no doubt he’s getting his match fitness back, obviously tough timing for him with the VFL season concluding as he’s integrating back from injury, but he showed great signs in those final couple of games. Read the key individual stats from Thursday night’s close win. North Melbourne pip Dons by 10 points at Windy Hill. Bombers take down Cats in return to Windy. Harry Jones, Jordan Ridley and Jade Gresham will all miss against Sydney. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the Custodians on whose Country we are based. We acknowledge their ongoing connection to Country and pay respect to their Elders, past and present. We extend that acknowledgement and respect to all First Nations peoples throughout Australia. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) There’s nothing like a good local bar – the kind of place where you can drop in for a quick drink or linger depending on where the night takes you Coburg and South Yarra – that were started with community in mind and bring something new to their respective neighbourhoods Box Hill was part of Melbourne’s “dry zone” for nearly a century But when the laws changed in December 2021 it became easier for businesses in the area to apply for a liquor licence husband-and-wife team Ella and James Bishop opened Bar Nearby in a former mechanics shop on Whitehorse Road giving Box Hill locals a place to hang out with a drink in hand There’s a thoughtful mix of Australian and international spirits and wines with premium pours available by the glass under Coravin Cocktails include Pina Coladas and a clarified Milk Punch and there are Heaps Normal non-alcoholic beers but a takeaway section stocks cheeses and deli goods and patrons are encouraged to order in from any number of local restaurants An American dive bar meets the Aussie corner store at Coburg’s new hangout in a former hair salon and they’ve custom-fitted the space with warm wooden furniture and ceramic light fittings and tiles made by O’Farrell and the bar has refillable one-litre flagons you can use to take home wine from producers including Fin Wines and Konpira Maru with snacks found in the curated pantry section This wine bar is the work of first-time venue owner Kelsie Gaffey Gaffey documented the journey to opening on Tiktok – capturing everything from choosing glassware to paving bricks and taste-testing dishes – and clocked hundreds of thousands of views before the bar even opened The venue is as much about the experience as it is about the wine A turntable spins tunes into the evening and the courtyard outside will soon host live acoustic sets There are simple dishes designed to share such as buttery lobster rolls house-baked focaccia and Sydney rock oysters A prominent hotel development site in the heart of Randwick is set to hit the market offering a rare opportunity to capitalise on a DA-approved project in one of Sydney’s most tightly held Eastern Suburbs pockets Jess Freeman • 05/05/2025 Frasers Property Industrial has today announced our first capital partnership in Australia with an investment vehicle sponsored by Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing (“MSREI”).  Victoria’s dairy regions are facing growing challenges in accessing housing affecting workforce attraction and retention and threatening the long-term sustainability of the state’s $3 billion dairy industry Jess Freeman • 28/04/2025 A third consecutive shot at premiership glory A third chance at a return to the top flight it has been three impressive seasons after the COVID-interrupted years of 2020 and 2021 without a senior flag to show for it That could change on Saturday when the Burgers tackle minor premier Maribyrnong Park at Coburg City Oval in what shapes as a mouth-watering Division One decider First-year West Coburg coach Daniel Barnes denied there was any extra pressure on his team to deliver after back-to-back grand final defeats "We probably haven't even spoken about the last two years since October and November when we actually came together and said next year's not about redemption because you can't redeem something you lost," Barnes said what we want to build and what we want to be known for as the group that's representing the jumper today "Everything for us since basically day one of pre-season has been about 2024 I know a lot of people bring up our history of finals performances and grand finals but I just feel there's a calmness amongst the group West Coburg will be hoping to produce a better showing than 12 months ago when it was on the receiving end of a 96-point hammering from Deer Park after finishing the home-and-away rounds with an unblemished record and four games clear at the top of the ladder the club entered the final game of the season as underdogs and was outclassed by Airport West Barnes said he was proud of the way the Burgers had responded from last year's bruising defeat to finish the regular season with a 14-2 record "Last year was a different feeling after the grand final to 2022," Barnes said pointing to the fact the Burgers finished third with 12 wins from 18 games two seasons ago "There were certainly moments in (last year's) grand final that were really disappointing for us as a football side and a football club "There was a lot of time in pre-season spent on that – how do we actually rebuild and become the footy club we want to become and control our own story and narrative The Burgers have remained united despite the forgettable display against Deer Park in 2023 fielding a 22 of one-point players in both finals this year underlining their ability to develop homegrown talent They have maintained a stable senior group with returning star Muhammad Saad the headline inclusion this year we play on 22 points and I think that's something pretty special for a football club in this day and age to be competitive with homegrown players," Barnes said "A lot of people talk about the three-year history of this club with grand finals You've got I think nine players who will probably end up playing in all three "As much as everyone said we retained the list we've still been able to transition and evolve and players have taken that next step and grown "Now there's some new blood in the team as well." who has 44 goals to his name in 2024 in his first season back at West Coburg after a stint with Airport West underlining his status as one of the competition's leading players Saad will be a key factor in the outcome of this weekend's decider given Maribyrnong Park also boast no shortage of goal-scoring options He gets forward of the footy and kicks goals Midfielders who can impact the scoreboard are a huge thing," Barnes said "The biggest thing has probably been his leadership has really come on with the group "I think most people are aware we're a very unique group around multiculturalism I would say about a third of our group are Muslim and Mo's been a great leader of those young boys and how they prepare Obviously he's seen it through his older brother in Adam at Carlton how they prepare and what they need to do to take the next step in football." Ibrahim Taha has also been outstanding for the Burgers including a haul of five in the preliminary final triumph over St Albans Omar Saad (four) and Ruairi Cleary (two) contributed to West Coburg's 11 goals against the Saints in ominous signs for Maribyrnong Park hit the ground and weave tackles and snap over his head It's something pretty rare for a bloke who's about 5 foot 11.. to be able to overhead mark and play at ground level," Barnes said and Emilio Rinaudo have also been among West Coburg's standout performers The Lions prevailed by 24 points to earn a direct passage to the decider when the pair last met in the opening week of finals Barnes said the Lions used the ball better and took most of their opportunities in the 11.8 (74) to 5.20 (50) result "But I think we certainly showed that we're a side that can win the footy really good foot skills and we know they hit the scoreboard well with their midfielders but I think the second semi-final showed the teams are pretty close together." West Coburg won the opening-round clash by 16 points while Maribyrnong Park powered to a 79-point win in Round 17 "We go in with great confidence," Barnes said West Coburg's most recent senior premiership came in Division One in 2014 while Maribyrnong Park claimed the 2010 Premier Division flag