Shows
The Home Ground23 | John Didulica (Part 1) | Football Is Thriving in Australia… So Why Isn't the A-League?We sit down with John Didulica to unpack the state of football in Australia. From his journey as a player, lawyer, and player advocate to club executive, John shares sharp insights on why football is thriving at grassroots level yet the A-League faces challenges. A candid discussion on governance, visibility, fan engagement, and what the league must do to grow.Stay tuned for part 2 next week!
2026-02-2618 minThe Home Ground$15 Billion Blowout: CFMEU, Corruption & Housing Costs | The Home Ground Ep 22This week on The Home Ground, Max and Bash examine the CFMEU allegations, Victoria’s reported $15 billion infrastructure cost blowout, and the flow-on effects for taxpayers, housing supply, and construction costs. They discuss rising labour expenses, investor confidence, and whether real reform is finally coming.
2026-02-2012 minThe Home GroundPaul McNamee (Part 2) | Time as Melbourne FC CEO, South Melbourne A-League bid and early years of Melbourne Victory | The Home Ground Ep 21Part 2 of our episode with Paul McNamee dives deep into the life of one of Australia’s most unique sports administrators. Paul reflects on his short-lived stint as CEO of Melbourne Football Club, his role helping South Melbourne push for a second-division A-League pathway, and his years as an early supporter and influencer at Melbourne Victory. From chasing Jonathan Brown to navigating divided football politics, Paul gives an insider’s view of what it really takes to shape Australian sport off the field.
2026-01-2223 minThe Home GroundPaul McNamee (Part 1) | Australian Open, Naming Rod Laver Arena & Prime-Time Finals | The Home Ground Ep 21On the eve of the Australian Open, we're joined by former Australian Open CEO and doubles world No. 1 Paul McNamee, one of the key figures behind the AO's modern rise to become a world-class spectacle. From naming Rod Laver Arena to bringing in prime-time men's finals, Paul shares some incredible stories.Stay tuned for part 2 of this episode next week!
2026-01-1538 minThe Home GroundInside the Tasmania Stadium Decision | PHIL REED | The Home Ground Ep 20For our final episode of 2025, we’re joined by political strategist and former Tasmanian premier’s chief of staff Phil Reed to unpack the Macquarie Point stadium debate. From governing a small island state to the AFL’s influence and the economic impact of major sporting infrastructure, this episode explores how Tasmania’s controversial stadium decision came to be and what it means for the state.
2025-12-1830 minThe Home GroundThe Metro Tunnel Debate: Transport Benefits, Cost Blowouts & What Comes Next | The Home Ground Ep 19Melbourne’s long-awaited Metro Tunnel is open, but does the hype justify the $15 billion price tag? In this episode of The Home Ground, we break down the cost blowouts, the real transport benefits, post-pandemic travel patterns, and whether this project truly reshapes Melbourne, or leaves bigger questions about what should come next.
2025-12-1115 minThe Home GroundEp 18 | Graeme Samuel | Inside the Decisions That Shaped Modern FootyGraeme Samuel joins The Home Ground to take us inside the pivotal years that transformed the VFL into today’s national AFL. The rise of the AFL Commission, and the birth of Docklands Stadium, Samuel shares the stories, battles and breakthrough moments that reshaped Australian sport.
2025-12-0430 minThe Home GroundAustralia’s Biggest Environmental Reform Explained | GRAEME SAMUEL AC | Home Ground Ep 17In this episode of The Home Ground, we chat with Graeme Samuel about the massive shake-up coming to Australia’s environmental and planning laws.We explore what’s broken, what’s finally being fixed and why clearer rules and faster approvals can actually lead to better outcomes for both the environment and development.It’s a straight-talking look at the reforms that will shape how Australia grows over the next decade.We also dive into the housing crisis, why supply has completely stalled, how politics, planning systems and bad incentives keep getting in the way and what real change needs to...
2025-11-2721 minThe Home GroundHow Athletics is quietly becoming Australia’s golden child | JANE FLEMMING | The Home Ground Ep 16Jane Flemming, dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist and President of Athletics Australia, takes us inside the world of Australian athletics. From Matt Denny’s record-breaking discus throws to Rohan Browning’s lightning-fast sprints, she explains the strategy behind the sport’s push toward the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, and gives an inside look at how she is helping shape a potential golden generation for Australian athletics.
2025-11-2028 minThe Home GroundThe Flawed Economics of Building in Australia | The Home Ground Ep 15In this episode of The Home Ground, Max and Bash unpack why the cost of construction keeps rising, how government policy and taxes are making things worse, and why even with a $10 billion Housing Future Fund, the numbers still don’t stack up.
2025-11-1318 minThe Home GroundEP 14 | David Cvetkovski | Rebuilding Preston, Australian Championship, Shaping the Future of Australian FootballIn this episode of The Home Ground, we sit down with Preston Lions President David Cvetkovski to unpack how one of Australia’s most historic football clubs rebuilt itself through strategy, commercial discipline and community-first thinking. From rising out of State League 1 to competing in the Australian Championship, David breaks down how Preston helped shape and influence the early conception of the national second division itself, championing the need for a real aspirational pathway in Australian football at a time when the club were still in Victoria’s fourth tier.We also explore the broa...
2025-11-0623 minThe Home GroundAustralia's Housing is BROKEN | The Home Ground Ep 13In this episode of Home Ground, we delve into the real challenges behind Australia’s housing crisis. From soaring construction costs and stalled developments to government policies that fail to address the root issues, Max and Bash unpack why fewer homes are being built today than three years ago and why affordable housing remains out of reach. Max shares insights from the builder and developer perspective, exploring the impact of high costs, stalled projects, disappearing foreign investment, and the myths around zoning and empty homes. If you want to understand why supply isn’t keeping up with dema...
2025-10-3018 min
The Home GroundEP 12 | Ross Pelligra | Purchasing Catania FC, Rebuilding Perth Glory, Helping To Develop Football in AustraliaGo behind the scenes with Ross Pelligra, the Australian property developer and global sports investor behind Catania FC and Perth Glory, as he shares how his family business legacy evolved from construction to football club ownership. In this episode, Ross opens up about rebuilding a bankrupt Italian club from scratch, revitalising grassroots football infrastructure, and why he believes sport should be treated as both a community asset and a business with purpose.From the rebirth of Catania FC in Sicily to his 10-year vision for Perth Glory, Ross outlines what it takes to reconnect football clubs to their...
2025-10-2346 min
The Home GroundWILL THE NEW HOUSING DEPOSIT SCHEME WORK?! | The Home Ground Ep 11Will the new housing deposit scheme fix the housing crisis or make it worse?Max and Bash break down the recently announced scheme. Max shares his three point plan to tackle the issue at its core and responds to the Barefoot Investor’s comments on the scheme.
2025-10-1617 min
The Home GroundEP 10 | Dino Strano | Driving Force Behind Avondale FC, Rise From Lower Leagues To Aus Championship, Tackling Australia’s Housing CrisisIn this episode of The Home Ground, we chat with building magnate Dino Strano, founder of Winslow Constructions and driving force behind Avondale FC. Dino shares his journey from building one of Australia’s top infrastructure companies to tackling the nation’s housing affordability crisis, emphasising the power of culture, people, and ambition in driving success.He also dives into Avondale FC’s rise from the lower leagues to the Australian Championship, highlighting the club’s focus on community, youth development, and its La Famiglia culture, revealing how business vision and sporting passion can come together to create lasting...
2025-10-0920 min
The Home GroundEp 09 | David McGrath | Australian Turf Club, Reinventing Horse Racing, Future of Racing in SydneyWe sit down with David McGrath, Director of the Australian Turf Club, to explore the future of racing, fan engagement and the business of Sydney’s four major racecourses. From the rise of The Everest to balancing tradition, technology and community, David shares how the ATC is reshaping the sport for a new generation.
2025-09-2540 min
The Home GroundEp 08 | Rachael Carroll | Promoting The Biggest Global Sporting EventsOn this episode of The Home Ground, we sit down with Rachael Carroll, Managing Director of TEG Sport, to unpack her journey from Commonwealth Games pole vaulter to leading one of the world’s most innovative sports and entertainment businesses.Rachael has been at the forefront of global sport and major events, from shaping strategies for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and the 2011 Rugby World Cup, to driving TEG’s international growth with events like Liverpool v AC Milan in Hong Kong. Today, she leads TEG Sport’s push to think globally, act locally, and delive...
2025-09-0844 minThe Home GroundEP 07 | Western United | Revoked A-League License, An Unfinished Stadium & Future Expansion ImplicationsWestern United’s A-League license has been revoked, but what does that really tell us about the future of Australian football?In this episode of The Home Ground, Max and Bash take a deep dive into the Western United license saga, from the collapse of the club’s ambitious expansion model to the unfinished Tarneit stadium project, they unpack what went wrong for the Tarneit-based club and the implications for future expansion in the A-League.
2025-08-2031 min
The Home GroundEp 06 | Mike McKenna | Optus Stadium CEO on Hosting AFL Grand Final, Building World-Class Facilities and Inspiration from NFL VenuesThis week on The Home Ground, Optus Stadium CEO Mike McKenna joins David and Max to go behind the scenes of one of Australia’s most impressive sporting venues. From its 15-year journey from concept to reality, to its role in boosting WA’s economy, attracting world-class events, and redefining the fan experience with cutting-edge tech, while also reflecting on the opportunity to host the AFL’s showpiece event.
2025-08-0835 min
The Home GroundEP 05 | John Fitzgerald | Australian Open Innovation, The Future of the Davis Cup & The Rise of PickleballAustralian tennis icon John Fitzgerald joins The Home Ground for a dive into the game’s changing landscape. He weighs in on how the Australian Open keeps setting the standard, the future of the Davis Cup, and what the explosion of pickleball means for tennis.
2025-07-2344 min
The Home GroundEP 04 | Steven Trigg | Adelaide Crows Stadium Move & Carlton's RebuildFormer AFL exec Steven Trigg joins The Home Ground to reflect on Adelaide’s landmark move to Adelaide Oval, his time leading Carlton through a crucial rebuild, and the contrasts between football in Adelaide and Melbourne. Plus, Max answers listener questions to wrap up the episode.
2025-07-0945 min
The Home GroundEp 03 | John Rothfield | Racing Politics, Industry Issues & Media CareerLong-time media personality and horse-racing expert John Rothfield, better known as 'Dr Turf,' joins the show to discuss his time in the media, politics in racing, the gambling industry and the issues threatening the future of horse racing in Australia.
2025-06-2647 min
The Home GroundEp 02 | Matthew Chun | AFL Infrastructure, Tassie Stadium & Docklands RedevelopmentOn this episode of The Home Ground we welcome the AFL's Executive General Manager of Finance, Clubs and Infrastructure, Matthew Chun.We discuss Matthew's role in some the AFL's biggest infrastructure projects, including the Marvel Stadium precinct upgrade, the latest updates on the construction of the Macquarie Point project in Tasmania, and how the AFL is helping grow the game from a business perspective.
2025-06-1344 min
The Home GroundEp 01 | Andrew Westacott | Hosting Formula 1, Sydney’s ambitious bid & Mission Western OvalIn the very first episode of The Home Ground, we’re thrilled to welcome Andrew Westacott, former CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and current Board Member at the Western Bulldogs. Join us as we cover the high-stakes world of hosting Formula 1, Sydney’s ambitious bid to steal it from Melbourne & the exciting redevelopment of Mission Western Oval!
2025-05-2939 minThe Home GroundThe Home Ground | Pilot Episode | Housing & The Proposed Dandenong StadiumIn the pilot episode of The Home Ground, hosts David Basheer and Max Shifman are joined by guest Matt Windley to explore the vision behind a proposed stadium in Dandenong and how sport, infrastructure, and community are deeply intertwined in shaping Australia’s future.Follow for more conversations that go beyond the game.
2025-04-1734 min