Venues set, bumper crowd expected for finals

LOCATIONS for the some of the most important games in local football and netball have been confirmed for the 2023 season.

Venues to play host to finals games for the Ballarat Football Netball League, Ballarat Football League Women, and the Ballarat Junior Football Netball League will be pressed into action from Sunday 20 August.

Sites include City Oval that’s been allocated the most games with two BFLW finals games and three BFNL match ups.

Marty Busch in Sebastopol, CE Brown and North Oval in Wendouree and Alfredton Rec Reserve will also pay host to BFLW and BJFNL post-season games.

Along with City Oval, Eastern Oval will take on games in the BFNL finals with the second elimination final set for the site.

Darley Park in Bacchus Marsh has been allocated three games, but if there’s issues with that venue league administrators have a backup plan.

“If the facilities at Darley Park are not completed, Maddingley Park will be brought in as the host venue for week one of the senior finals,” a statement from the Ballarat Football Netball League said.

“This will be confirmed by close of business Monday 2 August.”

The BFNL statement also said up to 50,000 people expected to attend the 21 different games.

All grand finals will take place on the turf and courts of the region’s premier football venue, Mars Stadium, which is only being used for flag matches this year.

First game on Mars will be the BFLW grand final on Saturday 9 September, followed by the Central Highlands Football Netball Leage flag on Saturday 16 September, a day before the BJFNL’s biggest day.

The BFNL grand final day is set for Saturday 23 September.

“After an outstanding 2022 finals series, excitement is building towards a finals series that will see grand finals being played at Mars Stadium,” the BFNL statement said.

“Through the ongoing support of the City of Ballarat, Mars Stadium will host three grand finals for the premier football and netball competitions in the region in consecutive weeks.

“Through the support of McDonalds Ballarat and finals naming partners Ballarat Toyota, Carlton Draught and McDelivery, the Ballarat FNL can present top level football and netball from the highest level across the region.”