The Home Ground
Episodes
25 | Why Australia’s Housing Targets Don’t Add Up (And What Actually Will)
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Housing is dominating state politics, but are the numbers realistic? We break down the promises, the policies, and why delivery is the real challenge ...
24 | Ameet Bains | How The Bulldogs Are Staying Ahead
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
For this episode of The Home Ground, we’re joined by Western Bulldogs CEO Ameet Bains. From his journey growing up in Bendigo to leading one of the ...
23 | John Didulica (Part 2) | Australian Football’s Funding Gap, Pro/Rel & Europe Expansion Play
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In Part 2 of our chat with John Didulica, the Melbourne Victory FC Director of Football goes deep on the structural challenges facing the A-League, fr...
23 | John Didulica (Part 1) | Football Is Thriving in Australia… So Why Isn't the A-League?
26 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 executi...
$15 Billion Blowout: CFMEU, Corruption & Housing Costs | The Home Ground Ep 22
20 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This week on The Home Ground, Max and Bash examine the CFMEU allegations, Victoria’s reported $15 billion infrastructure cost blowout, and the flow-...
Paul McNamee (Part 2) | Time as Melbourne FC CEO, South Melbourne A-League bid and early years of Melbourne Victory | The Home Ground Ep 21
22 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Part 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...
Paul McNamee (Part 1) | Australian Open, Naming Rod Laver Arena & Prime-Time Finals | The Home Ground Ep 21
15 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
On 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 ...
Inside the Tasmania Stadium Decision | PHIL REED | The Home Ground Ep 20
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For our final episode of 2025, we’re joined by political strategist and former Tasmanian premier’s chief of staff Phil Reed to unpack the Macquari...
The Metro Tunnel Debate: Transport Benefits, Cost Blowouts & What Comes Next | The Home Ground Ep 19
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Melbourne’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 dow...
Ep 18 | Graeme Samuel | Inside the Decisions That Shaped Modern Footy
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Graeme 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 Comm...
Australia’s Biggest Environmental Reform Explained | GRAEME SAMUEL AC | Home Ground Ep 17
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 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 e...
How Athletics is quietly becoming Australia’s golden child | JANE FLEMMING | The Home Ground Ep 16
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jane Flemming, dual Commonwealth Games gold medallist and President of Athletics Australia, takes us inside the world of Australian athletics. From Ma...
The Flawed Economics of Building in Australia | The Home Ground Ep 15
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 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 w...
EP 14 | David Cvetkovski | Rebuilding Preston, Australian Championship, Shaping the Future of Australian Football
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Home Ground, we sit down with Preston Lions President David Cvetkovski to unpack how one of Australia’s most historic footbal...
Australia's Housing is BROKEN | The Home Ground Ep 13
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Home Ground, we delve into the real challenges behind Australia’s housing crisis. From soaring construction costs and stalled dev...
EP 12 | Ross Pelligra | Purchasing Catania FC, Rebuilding Perth Glory, Helping To Develop Football in Australia
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Go behind the scenes with Ross Pelligra, the Australian property developer and global sports investor behind Catania FC and Perth Glory, as he shares ...
WILL THE NEW HOUSING DEPOSIT SCHEME WORK?! | The Home Ground Ep 11
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Will 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 thre...
EP 10 | Dino Strano | Driving Force Behind Avondale FC, Rise From Lower Leagues To Aus Championship, Tackling Australia’s Housing Crisis
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Home Ground, we chat with building magnate Dino Strano, founder of Winslow Constructions and driving force behind Avondale FC. ...
Ep 09 | David McGrath | Australian Turf Club, Reinventing Horse Racing, Future of Racing in Sydney
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We 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 f...
Ep 08 | Rachael Carroll | Promoting The Biggest Global Sporting Events
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Home Ground, we sit down with Rachael Carroll, Managing Director of TEG Sport, to unpack her journey from Commonwealth Games po...
EP 07 | Western United | Revoked A-League License, An Unfinished Stadium & Future Expansion Implications
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Western 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...
Ep 06 | Mike McKenna | Optus Stadium CEO on Hosting AFL Grand Final, Building World-Class Facilities and Inspiration from NFL Venues
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This 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 sport...
EP 05 | John Fitzgerald | Australian Open Innovation, The Future of the Davis Cup & The Rise of Pickleball
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Australian 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 ...
EP 04 | Steven Trigg | Adelaide Crows Stadium Move & Carlton's Rebuild
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former AFL exec Steven Trigg joins The Home Ground to reflect on Adelaide’s landmark move to Adelaide Oval, his time leading Carlton through a cruci...
Ep 03 | John Rothfield | Racing Politics, Industry Issues & Media Career
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Long-time media personality and horse-racing expert John Rothfield, better known as 'Dr Turf,' joins the show to discuss his time in the media, politi...
Ep 02 | Matthew Chun | AFL Infrastructure, Tassie Stadium & Docklands Redevelopment
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode of The Home Ground we welcome the AFL's Executive General Manager of Finance, Clubs and Infrastructure, Matthew Chun.We discuss Matthe...
Ep 01 | Andrew Westacott | Hosting Formula 1, Sydney’s ambitious bid & Mission Western Oval
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the very first episode of The Home Ground, we’re thrilled to welcome Andrew Westacott, former CEO of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and cu...
The Home Ground | Pilot Episode | Housing & The Proposed Dandenong Stadium
17 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In 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 ...