Pies’ president Colin McClounan confirmed on Friday the club had elected not to join Lavington Sportsground and Albury Sportsground in applying for the September 23 decider.

“Look, all the evidence is, after 23 years, we could put a whole lot of work in and we’re wasting our time,” he said.

“And that’s not the work of paid people, that’s the work of volunteers who are already stretched in what they’re doing.”

Wangaratta last hosted the grand final in 1994.

Since then it’s been played at Lavington’s home ground.

“It’s up to clubs to determine whether they’re in a position to apply,” O and M general manager Sean Barrett said.

“So, from the league perspective, if they don’t feel like there’re in a position to do it, then, best they don’t submit an application if they don’t feel they have the resources to run the day successfully.”

Wangaratta didn’t apply last year either to stage the grand final at its Norm Minns Oval, but had during the first three years of McClounan’s leadership.

“There’s a sense out there that we can’t hold 11,000 (people), but the reality is we’ve had 11,000 before at an AFL game and that’s when they’re all there for a block of two and a half to three hours, unlike the O and M where people come and go,” he said.

The Lavington complex is about to undergo a $9 million redevelopment, but work won’t start on the major oval next year, which would therefore allow it to host this year’s decider.

However, just last month doubts surfaced whether it will be able to satisfy parking requirements this September following a change in ownership of the former Lavington Sports Club site.

A decision on the grand final will be made on August 14. 

Albury is a red-hot favourite to play a ninth straight grand final.