A RESURGENT Myrtleford and bumper finals attendances have helped the Ovens and Murray Football Netball league post a solid profit for this season.
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The league announced a profit of $30,069 at its annual meeting on Monday night which was an increase on the $18,830 recorded the previous year.
League chairman, David Sinclair, said Myrtleford notching its first finals victory since 2006 alongside the most even competition in more than a decade were significant factors that had helped reinvigorate dwindling attendances.
Gate-takings for this years finals series were up $28,000 on the previous year.
"It's an awesome result," Sinclair said.
"Especially considering the costs associated with the league staging its Team of the Century dinner and travelling to Rosebud for the interleague which also included netball this year.
"At the start of the year we budgeted for a loss of around $6000 so to post such a healthy profit is pleasing."
IN OTHER NEWS
Sinclair said the introduction of the points system in 2016 and the salary cap the following year was starting to have the desired effect.
League powerhouse Albury missed playing off in the grand final for the first time since 2008.
Myrtleford notched its first finals win in more than a decade and Wangaratta Rovers narrowly missed finals after enduring a winless season the previous year.
The success starved Saints have got one of the biggest followings in the league and made their deepest September run since contesting back-to-back grand finals in 2005-06 under coach Travis Hodgson.
"Myrtleford playing three finals was a significant factor in the spike in gate-takings," he said.
"All 10 clubs were involved in the preliminary final and eight in the grand final.
"There is little doubt the improved competitiveness of the competition attracts more people through the gate.
"I think the points system and salary cap has not only helped even out the competition but has also put downward pressure on spiraling player payments.
"The talent in the competition is now more evenly spread and players know now that they can't go and ask clubs for whatever they want because of the cap."
Wangaratta secretary Ken Farrell was honoured as a life member of the league.
