THE East Gippsland Football-Netball League will not change the timing of its grand final despite a clash with the Gippsland League decider.
With the Gippsland League moving its grand final back to a Saturday contest, both deciders have been scheduled for Saturday, September 20, which could potentially have implications for East Gippsland grand final crowds given Bairnsdale’s current standing in the Gippsland League.
The Gippsland League had moved its preliminary and grand final contests to a Sunday fixture last year.
The move was made to avoid a preliminary final clash with neighbouring district league grand finals in an effort to attract a larger crowd, with the Sunday grand final ensuring the winning preliminary finalist did not endure a six-day break.
It was also hoped the Sunday grand final fixture would help attract football followers from further afield, including Casey-Cardinia, who had scheduled its grand final for the Saturday.
The Gippsland League will still play its preliminary final on a Sunday this year in order to avoid North Gippsland, Mid Gippsland, Alberton and Ellinbank and District west division grand finals scheduled on Saturday, September 13, but have moved the grand final back to a Saturday fixture.
The clash could potentially affect crowd numbers at the East Gippsland grand final, with the Bairnsdale senior team currently third on the Gippsland League ladder, while its junior teams are also strong, having played off in Gippsland League grand finals of late.
The Redlegs under 16s sit currently sit third, while the under 18 team is also currently in the top five.
East Gippsland football general manager Rod Twining said despite the clash, the league would not change from its original scheduling of a Saturday, September 20 grand final.
“We will be having our grand final on Saturday, September 20, the same day as the Gippsland League grand final,” he said.
“We picked it first due to the Gippsland League Sunday grand final (as scheduled in 2013).
“But they have just changed it back and we’re disappointed.”
Talk of a Saturday twilight or night grand final has been ruled out.
“The seniors will probably kick-off at about 2.30pm,” Twining said.
