ONE of the biggest days on the Ballarat sporting calendar won’t be at its regular home in 2016.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Central Highlands Football League board is currently working through alternative venues for the grand final.
The search for a new venue for this year’s finals follows the league being forced away from Eureka Stadium due to planned grandstand construction works later in the year.
Central Highlands Football League president Eddy Comelli said City Oval was among the leading contenders to host the league’s football and netball deciders.
“We would like to try and keep it in Ballarat if we could,” Comelli said.
“Failing that, we may have to go back to one our own grounds for a year until Eureka Stadium is available, which it hopefully will be the following year.”
This year will be the first time the grand final has not been at Eureka Stadium in Creswick Road since it was held at Learmonth in 1999.
Comelli mentioned Learmonth as another of the venues being considered to host this season’s grand finals.
The 2016 CHFL grand finals will be on Saturday, September 10.
Meanwhile, the launch of the new Eureka Stadium facility has opened up the idea of a Central Highlands football grand final being played at night.
North Ballarat Roosters took on Geelong under lights recently, with a strong crowd on hand to watch the Victorian Football League round three encounter.
New lighting was part of a multi-million dollar redevelopment at the grounds.
The redevelopment will see the Western Bulldogs play AFL fixtures at the ground from the 2017 season.
Comelli said he believed the move to a night event would be a drawcard for the Central Highlands Football League competition.
“Obviously, with a facility like Eureka Stadium you’d have to consider it,” Comelli said.
The night grand final concept has received support from Springbank joint-coach Michael Searl.
Searl believes a change could bring more people to the game.
Searl, who played in successful night VFL grand finals at Etihad Stadium in 2008 and 2009, was at the Roosters’ match a few weeks ago.
“I think you do get a better crowd on a night game,” Searl said last week.
“In terms of trying to attract more people and get more attendance to the games, then go for the night games.”
Night netball grand finals by Central Highlands Football League teams are also a possibility at the Eureka Stadium, with the court at complex surrounded by light towers.
