South East grand final – the traditional way!

The traditional way. The South East Football Netball League grand final is likely to be played during the day after AFL South East reconsidered its original decision to host the fixture at night. 159362 Picture: STEWART CHAMBERS

By David Nagel

AFL South East has listened to the 18 member clubs –nine football, nine netball – of the South East Football Netball League (SEFNL) and opened the door for a day grand final to take place on Saturday 16 September.
AFLSE has reconsidered its original decision to host this year’s grand final under lights at Casey Fields. AFLSE contacted the club’s representative last Friday (July 14) with news that – despite serious angst from the clubs – the night grand final would go ahead.
But at an AFLSE commission meeting on Monday night, SEFNL chairman and AFLSE commissioner Ryan Ford spoke on behalf of the clubs and their recommendation to hold the season decider at the venue of a member club – during the day.
The 18 clubs now have until Wednesday 26 July to put forward a compliant application to host the day grand final at one of three preferred venues, Beaconsfield, Berwick or Pakenham.
Key issues of concern for the clubs, amongst others, included the split of football and netball for the big day –with football and netball being 400-metres apart at Casey Fields – and the uncertainty surrounding who would benefit financially from the biggest event on the calendar.
Initial plans for the night grand final would see all 10 netball games –from under 13s through to A Grade- played during the day, concurrent with the under 19s and reserves football, before the senior grand final would take centre stage under lights.
AFLSE Region General Manager John Anderson explained that the overall decision was a complex one.
“There will be a sense of relief from the clubs, there’s no doubt about that, their thoughts came through loud and clear,” Anderson said.
“If the decision was purely based around football, I still firmly believe that Casey Fields is the ideal venue to host the grand final. But netball strongly influenced the decision; the clubs were united that the netball and football should be played simultaneously at the same venue throughout the day.”
Anderson said the ball was now in the club’s court.
“If a compliant application is not forthcoming, Casey Fields is still a viable option,” Anderson explained.
The Gazette has spoken with several clubs since the latest announcement, all praising AFLSE for taking their thoughts into consideration.