ALBURY Tigers and Wangaratta Magpies are poised to launch renewed bids to host the Ovens and Murray Football-Netball League grand final as doubts emerge on the suitability of Lavington Oval retaining the event.
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The two clubs have confirmed they will submit expressions of interests for the grand final when the O and M calls for them in coming weeks.
The Albury Sportsground and Norm Minns Oval have emerged as the two preferred alternate venues, according to The Border Mail online poll.
The Wangaratta venue leads the way 166-161 over the Tigers’ homeground with 540 votes recorded at 6pm on Friday.
Birallee Park is the next best with 46.
The 1990 Bloodbath grand final between Wodonga and Lavington was the last time Albury hosted the grand final and four years later Wangaratta Rovers captured their most recent premiership at the Norm Minns Oval.
Asked whether the Tigers would be interested, club president Stuart Hodgson said: "Of course we would.
"We will throw our hat in the ring as we've done in the past."
Carparking could be the biggest challenge for the Albury Sportsground, but 724 spaces could be available within walking distance if the upgraded Kiewa Street carpark is completed before the grand final on September 23.
Magpies president Col McClounan said repeated rejections by the O and M about taking the grand final to Wangaratta hasn't dimmed his club's enthusiasm.
"We haven't moved on," he said.
"It's more about working with the local council to get some support about putting something to the O and M.
"It's a very good facility and the more it gets used the better off we will be as a community."
McClounan said the club didn't bid last year when it was obvious Albury and Lavington would be the likely grand final combatants.
But with Yarrawonga and the Magpies in the O and M top-three mid-way through the season the time was right to try again.
The Norm Minns Oval has hosted three AFL practice matches since 2013.
