Albury-Wodonga Football Association to trial Lavington Sports Ground as cup final venue

Both competitions were set to conclude on September 19, but AWFA has added a bye round into its schedule prior to the start of finals to ensure it finishes a week later.

The move of the cup final to September 26 has also allowed the association to use the new Lavington Sports Ground, with the option to return to the traditional home at Jelbart Park next year if it's not deemed a success.

AWFA's league season concludes on August 29, with the quarter-finals of the cup to be played on September 12, followed by the semi-finals on September 19 and the decider on September 26.

However, if there's any matches missed due to COVID restrictions or weather throughout the year, the bye weekend will be used as a catch-up round.

The league considered playing the cup final on the Saturday (September 25), but with the AFL grand final set to be played that day, Sunday was a more viable option.

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AWFA football operations executive Nico Mathews has pushed for the final to be played at the venue for a number of years.

"I like to showcase our sport and give it the best exposure possible and Lavington Sports Ground at this point in time is our best option," he said.

"People know how dedicated I am about hosting the event at Jelbart with a blank canvas, but this gives us something half done already.

"It will look even more impressive if we're able to fence off individual grounds inside the oval.

"Our members deserve to have the best possible facilities to play their sport."

AWFA president Mark Leman is pleased with the decision and said common sense prevailed.

"We're having a bye at the end of the season, a bit like what the AFL do with a week off before the finals," Leman said.

"We didn't want to go up against the Ovens and Murray so we thought we'd change it.

"It will also be used as a catch-up round. If COVID or wet weather was to come into play, it gives us a spare round.

"We'll have a pitch on the main field and two other pitches on the second field, so there will be three fields."

Boomers coach Andrew Grove has never played a match at Lavington Sports Ground, but is happy for it to host cup final day.

"It is meant to be a great surface and facilities, which will only enhance the game," he said.

"Changing the day to after the AFL grand final is not ideal, but I understand they didn't want to clash with other sports going on.

"If they want to play the grand final on a Saturday they need to move the games to a Saturday during the season, which is something I have been pushing for a while now."

Albury United coach Matt Campbell hopes the change of venue will deliver for the players and supporters.

"To be honest, I think it's whatever is best for the game," Campbell said.

"The playing surface is first priority closely followed by the spectators' experience, so if Lavington Sports Ground can achieve both of those goals and is better than other options available, then it's a positive decision."

With Anzac Day on a Sunday this year, it added an extra bye to the AWFA season which already doesn't play on Easter Sunday or the Queen's Birthday long weekend.

The season kicks-off next Saturday (March 13) with Melrose to take on Albury City under lights at Melrose Park.

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