The conference venue is surrounded by many hotels which offer rooms for a range of budgets, roughly from cheapest to most expensive. Note that actual prices may fluctuate and vary based on web search and date.
In all cases the advice from the hotels is to book early, as AFL games can tend to fill these hotels, especially the cheaper ones, very quickly.
Pensione - “matchbox” single room $ (room is neat but tiny) includes breakfast. Larger double/twin $$ - still not huge, triple $$$. No frills.
Great Southern - but they have double/twin $ and family/four $$. Make sure to book the “superior courtyard” rooms which are smallish but their other twin rooms are even pokier. Fewest frills.
Quality Batman’s Hill - $$. Wifi included, neat & tidy rooms, not too pokey.
Travelodge - $$.
Vibe - $$$.
Holiday Inn - $$$$ wifi and breakfast included, quite nice rooms.
Adina - $$$$ 1 BR apartments with kitchen/washing, lounge plus bedroom. Includes simple breakfast, basic wifi included. Can split the king into twin share in some rooms.
Hilton - $$$$. The Hilton has the advantage of being right next to the MCEC.
Crowne Plaza - $$$$.