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The Age
3 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Shane Warne Stand rebuild still on the agenda; MCC members back rules to crack down on card fraud
Construction work to replace the MCG's Shane Warne Stand won't begin any earlier than 2030 or 2031, the Melbourne Cricket Club says, confirming that a slate of major events at the iconic Melbourne institution will impact the timing of the proposed major stadium overall. Plans to rebuild or refurbish the stand – which covers half the MCG and was built in 1992 – have been in the mix for some time, as it had an anticipated lifespan of about four decades and is considered an ageing asset. The Victorian government and the MCC have already completed a feasibility study to determine the future of the 45,000-seat stand – previously known as the Great Southern Stand – which caters for nearly half the stadium's capacity. MCC chief executive Stuart Fox told the club's annual general meeting on Tuesday night that the Warne stand overhaul would 'certainly be challenging' and would require additional public and private funding support as the club 'wouldn't be capable of doing that on our own'. This masthead reported three years ago that the Victorian government, emboldened by its agreement with the AFL to host every grand final until 2057, would be expected to foot the majority of the bill. The MCC has recorded a net profit of $38.35 million for the financial year ending March 31. The latest result came after the club posted a net profit of $32.1 million last financial year. The club has also reported having cash reserves of nearly $80 million. Loading Fox and MCC president Fred Oldfield told the meeting that the project remained a high priority. 'We've done the initial work on the Shane Warne Stand, and that was in conjunction with the Victorian government,' Fox said.
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Yahoo
Social media 'predator' jailed for 20 years
A paedophile who blackmailed young girls into sexual acts has been jailed for 20 years. David Brennan, 41, of Hull, described by police as a "social media predator", chased girls as young as 12, luring them with gifts. He pleaded guilty to seven offences, including causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and sexual communication with a child. Brennan denied a further 11 offences but a jury unanimously found him guilty of all charges on 9 May following a three-week trial at Hull Crown Court. Brennan pleaded guilty to three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual communication with a child, and two counts of failing to comply with police. A jury found him guilty of three counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual communication with a child, and two counts of paying for sexual services of a child. He was also convicted of meeting a child following sexual grooming, attempting to sexually communicate with a child, attempting to cause or incite a child to engage with sexual activity, and blackmail. 'Full control' Humberside Police said Brennan used social media to blackmail his victims and organised to meet girls, leaving them cash gifts. They also found he sent sexually explicit photos of himself to girls and would threaten them if they did not comply with his sexual demands. Det Sgt Stuart Fox said: "The victims in this case were all children and Brennan used that to his advantage by waving cash or alcohol as an incentive to manipulate allowed him to gain full control of the children." He added: "I'd like to commend the victims and witnesses for their bravery in coming forward... it is because of their strength we have been able to collate a substantial amount of evidence ultimately putting Brennan behind bars for a long time." Brenned was also handed a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and will be on the sex offenders register for life. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices Related internet links Humberside Police HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Sydney Morning Herald
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Going to the MCG is now like being trapped in a nightclub
The secular religion that is Australian rules football, known to devotees as footy and improperly called AFL by the league that believes it owns our game, is in need of its own Reformation. Fans' devotion has been played upon by those who control the once people's game for too long. It's beyond time this rot was stopped. The reason I'm speaking out is not because of one earth-shattering event ruining the experience of attending a game, but a slow desecration. There's the increasing annoyance of screaming announcers trying to whip up excitement, the deafening intrusive music and the inability to talk among ourselves during the breaks; the incessant kiss-cam, karaoke-cam and oblivious-cam spectacles. We don't need to be revved up like a TV studio audience. The footy is the excitement. But one thing has pushed me over the edge. Last Friday night I sat with my daughters in the Members' Reserve at the MCG at the match between Collingwood and Carlton. It was a marvellous game, Collingwood played beautifully and won by 56 points. What could go wrong? Watching the footy was marred by the incredibly bright, repetitive flashing of LED advertising signs along all four levels of the Shane Warne Stand on the opposite side of the ground. These appalling signs were distracting and annoying and constantly interfered with the enjoyment of watching the game. It was reminiscent of being at a strobe-lit nightclub. Last year, the AFL entered into a partnership with a media outfit called TGI Sport and formed an organisation called Lumen8 Media to manage match-day digital LED signage. Lumen8 Media oversees the commercial rights and sales for signage at the MCG and Marvel Stadium. At the MCG, LED signage has been added to levels 2A and 4 of the Shane Warne Stand, in addition to the previous levels 1 and 2, meaning these signs are now on all four levels of the stand. In a story published in July 2024, before the changes were introduced in the current season, it was announced that the new business would 'enhance digital signage opportunities at [the MCG] by upgrading and expanding LED signage'. In a disgraceful abandonment of the MCC members, the chief executive of the Melbourne Cricket Club, Stuart Fox, said: 'We strive to deliver greatness for our members and fans on match days and are looking forward to working together with Lumen8 Media to enhance that experience even further. 'Our future scope will include the digitalisation of signage on all four levels of the MCG and several other initiatives to make sure the MCG remains truly world-class.'
The Age
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Going to the MCG is now like being trapped in a nightclub
The secular religion that is Australian rules football, known to devotees as footy and improperly called AFL by the league that believes it owns our game, is in need of its own Reformation. Fans' devotion has been played upon by those who control the once people's game for too long. It's beyond time this rot was stopped. The reason I'm speaking out is not because of one earth-shattering event ruining the experience of attending a game, but a slow desecration. There's the increasing annoyance of screaming announcers trying to whip up excitement, the deafening intrusive music and the inability to talk among ourselves during the breaks; the incessant kiss-cam, karaoke-cam and oblivious-cam spectacles. We don't need to be revved up like a TV studio audience. The footy is the excitement. But one thing has pushed me over the edge. Last Friday night I sat with my daughters in the Members' Reserve at the MCG at the match between Collingwood and Carlton. It was a marvellous game, Collingwood played beautifully and won by 56 points. What could go wrong? Watching the footy was marred by the incredibly bright, repetitive flashing of LED advertising signs along all four levels of the Shane Warne Stand on the opposite side of the ground. These appalling signs were distracting and annoying and constantly interfered with the enjoyment of watching the game. It was reminiscent of being at a strobe-lit nightclub. Last year, the AFL entered into a partnership with a media outfit called TGI Sport and formed an organisation called Lumen8 Media to manage match-day digital LED signage. Lumen8 Media oversees the commercial rights and sales for signage at the MCG and Marvel Stadium. At the MCG, LED signage has been added to levels 2A and 4 of the Shane Warne Stand, in addition to the previous levels 1 and 2, meaning these signs are now on all four levels of the stand. In a story published in July 2024, before the changes were introduced in the current season, it was announced that the new business would 'enhance digital signage opportunities at [the MCG] by upgrading and expanding LED signage'. In a disgraceful abandonment of the MCC members, the chief executive of the Melbourne Cricket Club, Stuart Fox, said: 'We strive to deliver greatness for our members and fans on match days and are looking forward to working together with Lumen8 Media to enhance that experience even further. 'Our future scope will include the digitalisation of signage on all four levels of the MCG and several other initiatives to make sure the MCG remains truly world-class.'
West Australian
03-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
AFL set to announce Tom Harley as chief operation officer after late ‘curveball'
The AFL have poached a second club CEO in as many days with Tom Harley set to be appointed chief operating officer. Channel 7's Caroline Wilson revealed the Sydney CEO will take on the highly sought after job at league headquarters. The appointment comes the day after Brisbane CEO Greg Swann was named the AFL's executive general manager of football performance . While the final details are yet to be officially signed, Wilson said there was a late curveball with Melbourne Cricket Club boss and former Hawthorn CEO Stuart Fox also in the running. 'It's extraordinary. The details are yet to be nutted out, the official offer has not been signed, but my firm understanding is Tom Harley will become Andrew Dillon's chief operating officer,' Wilson said on 7NEWS. 'He will leave the Sydney Swans after a distinguished career as footy boss and then CEO. 'But it was not without a curveball in the last 48 hours. As we reported last night on The Agenda Setters, Stuart Fox became a late contender for the job. Andrew Dillon was very keen also to poach the former Hawthorn CEO, now the MCC boss. 'In the last 24 hours, there have been conversations with Stuart Fox, and of course Tom Harley. 'My belief is that Stuart Fox has chosen to stay at the Melbourne Cricket Club and Tom Harley will take the job. Extraordinary coup for Andrew Dillon.' The league announced earlier this year they will appoint a COO that will effectively serve as new right-hand man to Dillon. Harley joins league headquarters after a hugely successful stint at Sydney. The former Geelong premiership captain joined the Swans in 2014 as the general manager of football before transitioning to the CEO position in 2019. Harley's move to the AFL is the latest in a shake-up at league headquarters. Laura Kane was a big casualty in Dillon's executive shake-up announced last Friday, with her football operations role split in two. Swann will take on football performance, while Kane will be in charge of football operations. Her portfolio will now include operations for the AFL and AFLW, the strategic growth of the AFLW and managing the league's mental health and healthcare unit. 'Laura is a valued member of the executive team - she has an incredible portfolio, a big portfolio in front of her now,' Dillon said. 'What I've said is we want to make sure we have a structure that allows the AFL to continue the momentum we have, into the future. 'She's done amazing work in the three years she's been at the AFL. What we have now with Greg coming in looking after the football performance, Laura continuing to run football operations - football is at the core of what we do. 'She has a really big and important role and she's excited by the challenge in front of her.' Another major change to Dillons' executive team is the imminent departure of Indigenous and inclusion manager Tayna Hosch. Also, her role, which includes gender, will be folded into the corporate affairs portfolio. 'Tanya, in her nearly nine years at the AFL, did an incredible amount of work in this space,' Dillon said. 'We have incredible leaders across all tiers of the organisation - Denise Bowden, who's just joined our commission, an Indigenous advisory council that's working really well. 'What we will have is more leaders and more voices across the organisation. Our commitment to our inclusion is as strong as it's ever been.' While Dillon's executive changes follow months of growing concerns about how the AFL is performing, he is bullish about the league. 'What the announcements from last week do is ensure we can continue the momentum we have and make sure we're set up for success going into the future,' he said. Dillon was speaking at the announcement of free admission for children under 14 later this season. Select games will feature the initiative in rounds 16-19 and all Victorian games will be free for kids in round 21. - With AAP
