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 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 broader future of the game: boutique stadiums, long-term infrastructure, diverse revenue models, government partnerships, sustainable football business, and the road toward promotion and relegation. This is a raw look at the clubs driving structural change from the ground up, and how Preston’s modern blueprint may help define the next decade of Australian football.