The Home Ground

As the Socceroos base themselves in Oakland during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Max and Bash sit down with Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul President Lindsay Barenz. They discuss how the club has built one of the most community-focused models in world football, balancing commercial success with accessibility, investing in women's football, plans for a purpose-built stadium, promotion and relegation...

Australia’s housing crisis continues to dominate headlines, but are current policies actually making things worse? In this episode, Max and Bash break down what’s happening across housing approvals, planning reform, taxation, land release and infrastructure investment.

In one of the most candid conversations you'll hear from a sitting national coach, Matildas head coach Joe Montemurro joins David Basheer and Max Shifman on The Home Ground to open up on walking away from Arsenal, building the first truly professional women's football program in Australia at Melbourne City, and the Juventus project that helped change women's football in Europe forever....

Global shocks are already hitting Australia’s economy. Max and Bash unpack how war, rising fuel costs, and supply disruptions are driving up construction prices, housing costs, and everyday expenses, and what it means for affordability and the future of housing.

Housing is dominating state politics, but are the numbers realistic? We break down the promises, the policies, and why delivery is the real challenge ahead of the upcoming state elections.

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 AFL’s most progressive clubs, Ameet shares how the Bulldogs are reigniting the West, growing memberships, engaging new communities, and transforming their facilities for both players and fans.

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, from million-dollar pitch costs and government funding gaps to why club models are more fragile than people realise. He shares his vision for a true “home of football,” explains why promotion and relegation isn’t a simple fix, reflects on the COVID cri...

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!

This 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.

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-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 foo...

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 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!

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 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.

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 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.

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 Commission, and the birth of Docklands Stadium, Samuel shares the stories, battles and breakthrough moments that reshaped Australian sport.

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 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...

Jane 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 generati...

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 worse, and why even with a $10 billion Housing Future Fund, the numbers still don’t stack up.

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 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...

In 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 pe...

Go 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 sh...

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 three point plan to tackle the issue at its core and responds to the Barefoot Investor’s comments on the scheme.

In 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...

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 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.

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 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 Wor...

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 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 impl...