GIVING the Norm Minns Oval the best chance to host an Ovens and Murray preliminary final was a deciding factor in the Ovens and King’s decision to keep its grand final at the W.J. Findlay Oval.
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The district league has announced it will keep its showpiece game at the home of Wangaratta Rovers, a venue where it set a record gate of $38,000 last year as Moyhu defeated Tarrawingee by two points in a thriller.
The grand final was previously held at the Norm Minns Oval, but that venue was overlooked last year, with the O and K fearing its redevelopment would reduce the crowd number and hinder spectator comfort.
O and K chairman Peter Byrne said both venues were capable of hosting the showpiece event.
“One of the factors we considered was to avoid a potential clash of the OMFNL preliminary final being scheduled at the showgrounds on the same weekend as the OKFNL grand final,” Byrne said.
“The 2011 grand final highlighted the fact that both venues are more than suitable to host but at this stage ... we are satisfied the best conclusion has been reached to ensure a successful day.”
The Norm Minns Oval, which tried unsuccessfully to snatch the O and M grand final from Lavington Oval, wants the next-best thing — a preliminary final.
With the O and M to delay announcing its finals venues until later in the season, Wangaratta Football-Netball Club president Paul Challman said he understood the O and K’s decision to name its venue earlier.
“It’s an Ovens and Murray ground first and foremost,” Challman said of the Norm Minns Oval.
“We are keen to get Ovens and Murray finals, but you wouldn’t be surprised if the Ovens and King wanted to have a night grand final here.
“That’s a possibility in the future.”
The O and K grand final, which will be held on Saturday, September 15, has been a hit since moving from its traditional home of Tarrawingee to Wangaratta.
Byrne said he hoped the crowds would continue to grow.
“We believe the options available to the OKFNL are the best in the state and are privileged to offer such quality venues to the football and netball public,” he said.
“Football and netball have experienced great success at both the venues in Wangaratta and on the back of last year we can only hope for the same result.”
