Wangaratta Rovers are keen to explore a switch of venues for their highly anticipated round three clash against Wangaratta to maximise revenue.
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Football operations manager Barry Sullivan said the club would consider playing the home match in NSW where crowds were capped at 3000 compared to 1000 in Victoria.
Hypothetically, the match could be switched to Corowa's John Foord Oval with the match between the fierce rivals and flag contenders expected to draw well in excess of 1000 spectators.
Sullivan said the derby was one of the club's biggest revenue raises with the resurgent Hawks attracting an estimated crowd of 2000 for their most recent match in 2019.
"Traditionally most clubs only get one or two marquee matches a season where they expect a bumper crowd," Sullivan said.
"One of ours is against Wangaratta where we always get a good gate and the match usually generates a bit of excitement and passion between the two supporter bases.
"We rely heavily on the income generated from those types of matches to balance the budget.
"So if you can't get capacity crowds to those marquee matches, it makes it really tough financially."
Sullivan conceded any change of venue would have its logistical hurdles in regards to volunteers and catering but remained a realistic option.
"Logistically getting volunteers to man catering booths at a different venue like Corowa for example does become more of a challenge," he said.
"Obviously for us to even contemplate a switch in venue, we would need to approach Corowa to see if they would be willing to accomodate us.
"But we are not taking anything off the table and I'm sure there are a lot of clubs similar with some left field thinking in regards to maximising crowds."
Myrtleford president Ian Wales echoed Sullivan's thoughts.
"If the cap looks likely to remain at 1000 for the whole season, you would be negligent not to explore other options," Wales said.
"Moving venues would make it tough on volunteers.
"Clubs also make a lot of revenue from after match functions, so that's something you would have to factor in.
"So while there is plenty of hurdles to overcome, it's not something I would completely rule out.
"The thing with COVID-19 is you don't know what card you are going to get dealt next."
In a promising sign for Victorian based O&M clubs, Member for Benambra Bill Tilley has forwarded a letter to the government from AFL NEB chairman John Byrne.
Byrne floated the idea that a cross-border bubble be introduced for sport this season.
Victorian Minister for Sport Martin Pakula and Victorian Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence have both received the letter.
Mr Tilley has initiated discussions with Ms Spence on the idea.
Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy raised the matter in parliament last week.
"The Ovens and Murray league is the premier-grade football and netball league in northern Victoria," he said.
"With a number of ex-AFL players signed up and ready to play for respective clubs, it is simply wrong that crowd numbers are restricted to 1000 people.
"Social distancing is not a problem because clubs have plenty of room to ensure a safe distance is kept by all.
"Myrtleford Football-Netball Club have recently been given an 18-page submission to fill out with a six-to-seven-week turnaround time to justify why they need to be considered for increased capacity.
"Yarrawonga is fortunate that they play Mulwala in the second game, which gives them a 3000-person capacity in New South Wales.
"Wangaratta Rovers and Wang Magpies will also be restricted through the season with their blockbuster local derby and other matches.
"I request (Ms Spence and Mr Pakula) and the COVID experts to stop restricting community organisations from making a buck and assist them to be financially viable."
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