Hawthorn Hawks sell facility to the AFL ahead of Dingley move

The AFL has purchased Waverley Park from the Hawthorn Football Club, in a strategic deal that gives the league multiple options for using the oval and buildings when the Hawks leave.

The sale was completed on Tuesday for an undisclosed sum, which had been forecast as eight figures but well below the $20 million mooted.

Hawthorn Football Club has sold Waverley Park to the AFL. Credit: Pat Scala

The Hawks, who moved into Waverley in 2004 and plan to relocate their training and administrative base to Dingley (the Kennedy Community Centre) later this year, will further strengthen their finances with the sale, as they fund their new $100 million new home.

A private school was also among the parties interested in buying Waverley Park, which was known as VFL Park when it was the league’s “home” ground throughout the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s.

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