The funding is guaranteed and not contingent on the Coalition being returned to office at the May election.

Federal sports minister, Senator Bridget McKenzie, was joined by Nationals Indi candidate Mark Byatt with outgoing Indi MP Cathy McGowan also in attendance.

Indi Liberal candidate Steve Martin was a notable absentee due to other campaign commitments.

"Bunnings sausage sizzles can't actually fund projects like this," Senator McKenzie said.

"(The Bulldogs) can offer a greater range of elite level activities and games here, not just within the Ovens and Murray league itself, but also get some of that AFL action.

"We know there has been a tsunami of interest in AFL as a code thanks to AFLW."

Bulldogs president Richard Bence confirmed his club would be contributing $100,000 to the upgrade with a mix of cash and in-kind support.

He said the lighting upgrade had been a pressing need for "four or five years" and acknowledged coaches and players had been using lights which weren't up to the required standard.

"We're pretty confident our lights will be at a level, subject to Ovens and Murray approval, that we can host a night game here just as Wangaratta has significant capacity in their lights and so has Lavington," he said.

"We actually play Myrtleford under lights (this season) and our understanding is our light capacity is at a similar level."

Myrtleford hosted its first O and M night match last season with the McNamara Reserve lights operating at a maximum lux level of 150 which is AFL training standard level.

Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval and Lavington Sportsground both have a 500 lux output capable of hosting AFL matches, but still well short of the 1500 lux requirement for broadcast.

Wodonga Bulldogs struggled for many years to attract funding for an upgrade of the No.1 ground at Martin Park owned by Wodonga Council.

But the return of cricket to the ground and all-abilities football team the Jets making Wodonga its home led to a major breakthrough three years ago.

Meanwhile, $200,000 is also going to the Cudgewa Football-Netball Club for an upgrade of netball facilities.

The grant will help the Upper Murray league club resurface its existing court, build an another court and also improve other amenities.

Member for Benambra Bill Tilley pledged the money if the Coalition won last year's state election.