AFL Secures Waverley Park Following Competitive Expressions of Interest Campaign

Acting on behalf of the Hawthorn Football Club, Colliers agents Rob Joyes, Ben Baines, Ian Sanders, and Lucas Soccio successfully transact the iconic Waverley Park facility.

Colliers has successfully concluded the sale of the Waverley Park Elite Training and Administration Centre in Mulgrave to the AFL, following a high-profile campaign that drew widespread attention across sporting, health, and education sectors.

Led by Colliers agents Rob Joyes, Ben Baines, Ian Sanders and Lucas Soccio, the national expressions of interest campaign generated over 200 enquiries, 14 inspections, and five competitive offers, underscoring the significant demand for elite-grade sporting and administrative facilities.

“The campaign was one of the most active we’ve run in recent years, attracting strong interest from local, national, and offshore groups,” said Rob Joyes, Colliers State Chief Executive | Victoria. “The unique nature of the asset and its history made it a highly desirable opportunity for organisations looking to secure a strategic foothold.”

Previously owned and occupied by the Hawthorn Football Club since 2003, the site has played a central role in Victoria’s football narrative. The sale encompassed both the ex Hawks training facility and Goodlife Health Club Waverley Park, with the final purchase price remaining confidential.

Ben Baines, Director at Colliers | Investment Services, noted the broader trend, “We’ve recorded a 26% increase in enquiries from interstate and overseas buyers this financial year, pointing to a strong uplift in offshore capital targeting high-quality, mixed-use infrastructure.”

The AFL’s acquisition represents a full-circle moment for the sport, returning to a ground that last hosted a premiership match in 1999. More broadly, the sale highlights the surging demand for premium sports and recreation facilities, with competing groups exploring opportunities to adapt the site for health, education and community-focused uses.

Lucas Soccio, Executive I Investment Services, stated that “The result further underscores Colliers’ extensive market reach and reinforces a proven track record in generating strong competition and achieving exceptional outcomes for unique, high-value assets”.