THE playing surface of Wodonga's John Flower Oval is facing a race against time to be in pristine condition for the Ovens and Murray league preliminary final in a fortnight.
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The ground condition with its large bare patches was a major talking point when the Albury-Wodonga Junior Football League grand finals were played at the venue last Sunday.
The O and M has committed to playing the preliminary final at Wodonga with other options limited due to the make-up of teams competing in finals with Lavington Sportsground out of action due to the ongoing redevelopment which has resulted in the grand final being played at Wangaratta's Norm Minns Oval for the second year in a row.
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Wodonga Council confirmed this week the John Flower Oval was battling to recover from turf disease pythium or "grease spot" first detected in June.
"The council became aware of local grounds being affected by the disease pythium during the wetter periods of June and then again in July where the disease was at its peak," the council's outdoor operations manager Richard Lamb said.
"The council has been working with clubs to treat and manage the grounds.
"The lack of frosts during these wetter periods combined with the continued usage of the grounds has impeded the recovery of the affected turf.
"As such, we are seeing some brown patches in grounds where there is heavy usage.
"The disease affects the actively growing rye grass and not the dormant couch grass which browns off over winter.
"Strategies have been put in place to revive the surface, but spring conditions and the end of this season's winter sport will see the most marked improvement in the grounds."
John Flower Oval has high usage by Wodonga Bulldogs senior and junior teams, Wodonga Saints and all abilities team Wodonga Jets.
The ground will get some respite with only Wodonga's under-18 team playing finals.
The O and M finals series starts this weekend with Wodonga's other O and M venue, Birallee Park, in line to host next Saturday's second semi-final.
