Campbell Chesser: West Coast Eagles midfielder to belatedly play first game of season against Melbourne
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Campbell Chesser: West Coast Eagles midfielder to belatedly play first game of season against Melbourne
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News.com.au
31 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Developer Joe Bartolo says Moonee Valley redevelopment will future-proof racetrack
Developer and racing enthusiast Joe Bartolo has personal and professional interests to ensure The Valley transformation is successful. Symal Group, founded by managing director Bartolo, won a circa $70m contract in June through an Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) process to complete the civil and infrastructure works. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The Symal works, starting after the Cox Plate on October 25, includes bulk earthworks, the full track reconstruction, upgraded underpasses, landscaping and lighting, before a May 2027 target. Bartolo, introduced to the racing through cousin and former jockey Aaron Spiteri, praised The Valley board and administration for its 'sustainable' vision to future-proof the entire precinct. 'You often do think about all the tradition (at The Valley) and the past but you can't help but look to the future and what this is going to bring to the west of Melbourne and to racing,' Bartolo said. 'I think what they're doing is unbelievable, an amazing change for Moonee Valley and puts the club in position for future growth and the next 40-50 years. 'It's sustainable with all the other infrastructure there as well, it's a really good revenue stream to ensure The Valley is around forever … infrastructure to stand the test of time and provide forever.' Bartolo has strong industry links through now US-based real estate agent cousin Spiteri, including dual Melbourne Cup-winning jockey and friend Mark Zahra and prominent owner Rupert Legh. Bartolo owned a share in Melbourne Cup runner-up Emissary, ironically defeated by Zahra on Gold Trip in 2022. The current crop includes Future History, a JRA Cup winner at The Valley, Theblade and Airman. 'The best for us was Emissary, running second in the Cup was pretty exciting and I thought we had a chance of winning that, watching that day,' Bartolo laughed. 'Nice of ol' Mark on Gold Trip … we ran up the butt of Gold Trip and lost all momentum … it was such an amazing feeling to even come second, so imagine how the owners of Gold Trip felt.' While no longer on the tools, Bartolo, who started Symal as a small landscaping business with a ute, wheelbarrow and shovel borrowed from his father in 2001, has kept close tabs on The Valley project. 'Projects of significance you always keep an eye on,' Bartolo said. • Laurie eyes spring carnival success with Group 1 star 'Always trying to understand what's happening, where they're going and what's going on, especially with an interest in racing as well. 'Sporting precincts in general is a big part of what Symal do, we understand the works required and we'll be finishing in May 2027 … the works will be completed from our part. 'The plan for us is always beating the works … we build major infrastructure throughout the country and got very tight time constraints to get projects completed, and we just don't miss those targets. 'It's very important to hit what we say we're going to hit.' Symal, an employer of more than 1400 people, joined the Australian Stock Exchange last year.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Pezet eyes week-to-week NRL in Storm spine squeeze
Jonah Pezet says he wants to chase the opportunity to play in the NRL every week, but insists a loan deal away from Melbourne is not yet at the front of his mind. Melbourne's half-in-waiting for several years, Pezet has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane on Thursday night with Jahrome Hughes injured. Pezet is signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but is believed to have a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signed. Hughes did so last week, extending his time in purple until 2030. The other factor is the future of Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2027 but been linked to potential Perth interest. Both Pezet and Munster share a manager in Braith Anasta, while a loan deal could potentially buy time for Munster to decide his future beyond his current deal. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play NRL every week," Pezet said. "As a kid you grow up and that's what you want to do. So of course I want to chase those opportunities. "But I'm just focused on putting my best foot forward every week, so that's when Belza (coach Craig Bellamy) picks me in the team." Melbourne hooker Harry Grant this week backed the idea of loans, speaking of the good it did him at Wests Tigers while stuck behind Cameron Smith in 2020. Asked whether a loan deal could be an option for him, Pezet said it was not something he wanted to be considering. "I think I'll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they'll sort it all out," Pezet said. "With Hughesy going down there's an opportunity there, and I'll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I'm ready for that wherever it might be. "Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I'm going to get, so that's what I'm focused on." The Storm have stuck with Tyran Wishart as Hughes' replacement at No.7, after the reigning Dally M Medallist dislocated his shoulder last month. Bellamy on Wednesday left the door open for Hughes to return before finals, with the 22-year-old avoiding surgery and back training away from the main squad. Melbourne have not got a specific plan for Pezet off the bench, who has had limited football in the past 16 months with an ACL rupture and subsequent setback. Pezet was brought on at halfback late in last week's win over Parramatta, with Wishart shifting to lock. "I'm definitely confident in my own ability to go out there and play 80 minutes of footy in the halfback position," Pezet said. "But that's not what's best for the team at the moment." Jonah Pezet says he wants to chase the opportunity to play in the NRL every week, but insists a loan deal away from Melbourne is not yet at the front of his mind. Melbourne's half-in-waiting for several years, Pezet has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane on Thursday night with Jahrome Hughes injured. Pezet is signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but is believed to have a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signed. Hughes did so last week, extending his time in purple until 2030. The other factor is the future of Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2027 but been linked to potential Perth interest. Both Pezet and Munster share a manager in Braith Anasta, while a loan deal could potentially buy time for Munster to decide his future beyond his current deal. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play NRL every week," Pezet said. "As a kid you grow up and that's what you want to do. So of course I want to chase those opportunities. "But I'm just focused on putting my best foot forward every week, so that's when Belza (coach Craig Bellamy) picks me in the team." Melbourne hooker Harry Grant this week backed the idea of loans, speaking of the good it did him at Wests Tigers while stuck behind Cameron Smith in 2020. Asked whether a loan deal could be an option for him, Pezet said it was not something he wanted to be considering. "I think I'll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they'll sort it all out," Pezet said. "With Hughesy going down there's an opportunity there, and I'll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I'm ready for that wherever it might be. "Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I'm going to get, so that's what I'm focused on." The Storm have stuck with Tyran Wishart as Hughes' replacement at No.7, after the reigning Dally M Medallist dislocated his shoulder last month. Bellamy on Wednesday left the door open for Hughes to return before finals, with the 22-year-old avoiding surgery and back training away from the main squad. Melbourne have not got a specific plan for Pezet off the bench, who has had limited football in the past 16 months with an ACL rupture and subsequent setback. Pezet was brought on at halfback late in last week's win over Parramatta, with Wishart shifting to lock. "I'm definitely confident in my own ability to go out there and play 80 minutes of footy in the halfback position," Pezet said. "But that's not what's best for the team at the moment." Jonah Pezet says he wants to chase the opportunity to play in the NRL every week, but insists a loan deal away from Melbourne is not yet at the front of his mind. Melbourne's half-in-waiting for several years, Pezet has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane on Thursday night with Jahrome Hughes injured. Pezet is signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but is believed to have a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signed. Hughes did so last week, extending his time in purple until 2030. The other factor is the future of Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2027 but been linked to potential Perth interest. Both Pezet and Munster share a manager in Braith Anasta, while a loan deal could potentially buy time for Munster to decide his future beyond his current deal. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play NRL every week," Pezet said. "As a kid you grow up and that's what you want to do. So of course I want to chase those opportunities. "But I'm just focused on putting my best foot forward every week, so that's when Belza (coach Craig Bellamy) picks me in the team." Melbourne hooker Harry Grant this week backed the idea of loans, speaking of the good it did him at Wests Tigers while stuck behind Cameron Smith in 2020. Asked whether a loan deal could be an option for him, Pezet said it was not something he wanted to be considering. "I think I'll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they'll sort it all out," Pezet said. "With Hughesy going down there's an opportunity there, and I'll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I'm ready for that wherever it might be. "Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I'm going to get, so that's what I'm focused on." The Storm have stuck with Tyran Wishart as Hughes' replacement at No.7, after the reigning Dally M Medallist dislocated his shoulder last month. Bellamy on Wednesday left the door open for Hughes to return before finals, with the 22-year-old avoiding surgery and back training away from the main squad. Melbourne have not got a specific plan for Pezet off the bench, who has had limited football in the past 16 months with an ACL rupture and subsequent setback. Pezet was brought on at halfback late in last week's win over Parramatta, with Wishart shifting to lock. "I'm definitely confident in my own ability to go out there and play 80 minutes of footy in the halfback position," Pezet said. "But that's not what's best for the team at the moment."
The Australian
3 hours ago
- The Australian
Hawthorn vs Collingwood teams: Breust, Mitchell among key changes
Hawthorn has recalled veteran Luke Breust for its must-win clash against Collingwood on Thursday night. The crafty forward has not played in the senior side since round 9 and has played just five AFL games this year. But he is one of two inclusions into the side, and will likely be deployed as the substitute, in a game against the Magpies. The Hawks will also recall Changkuoth Jiath for the clash after a strong VFL performance last week, replacing Harry Morrison on a wing. Hawthorn will be without Will Day, but instead of replacing him with a midfielder the coaching staff have opted to promote James Worpel from the substitute role last week to a spot in the best 22. Collingwood has made three changes for the clash as the Magpies desperately try to cling onto top spot on the ladder. The Pies dropped off the top perch with a loss to Brisbane last week, but have stocked their backline with experienced duo Billy Frampton and Jeremy Howe. Tom Mitchell has also been recalled and will face his old side, with Charlie Dean and Oleg Markov dropped for the clash. Bobby Hill made his return to the AFL last week but will miss again, this time due to illness. Matthew Forrest AFL Chief of Staff Matthew Forrest is the AFL Chief of Staff for News Corp's national sports team. He has worked at News Corp since 2021 in a variety of sports journalism roles including at the Mackay Daily Mercury and the Geelong Advertiser. Previously, Matthew was the Chief Football Writer at the Geelong Advertiser until 2024, when he started in his current role. @mattforrest29 Matthew Forrest
