Lara receives Grand Final hosting rights for 2023

Surf Coast Football Netball Club was awarded the right to host this year's Junior Football Preliminary Finals. Photo: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

AFL BARWON has announced the venues of this season’s Junior Football Finals Series, with six clubs earning the right to host finals fixtures later this month.

Geelong Amateur, Lara, North Geelong, Ocean Grove Cobras, Ocean Grove, and Surf Coast Suns will provide the backdrop to this season’s junior finals over the span of three weeks.

Lara will take on the responsibility of hosting this year’s grand finals at Lara Recreational Reserve, using both of the venue’s ovals to conduct competition deciders.

Lara Sports Club football section chair Chris Spence expressed his gratitude to AFL Barwon for his club’s appointment to hosting the junior grand finals.

“The event will showcase the exceptional talent of Under 14 and Under 16 boys’ football in the Barwon region,” he said.

“Planning for the weekend is already underway, and the Lara Football Netball Club eagerly anticipates welcoming players, families, and supporters for an action-packed program of matches.”

Lara Recreation Reserve has held major finals events in previous years, most recently, the Kempe Junior Finals in 2018 and the Epworth Female Football Finals in 2019.

AFL Barwon region general manager Edward Wilson thanked Lara for hosting the finals.

“The two days will be memorable both on and off the field,” he said.

“The diligence and proactive efforts of all host clubs Geelong Amateur FNC, Lara FNC, North Geelong FNC, Ocean Grove Cobras FC, Ocean Grove FNC, and Surf Coast Suns FNC during the three weeks of finals will be greatly appreciated.”

Kempe AFL Barwon Junior Football Finals Series:

Week 1 – Semi-Finals (Saturday August 19 and Sunday August 20)

Queens Park Reserve – KFC Oval
Shaw Oval (Geelong Amateurs FNC)
Ray Menzies Oval – (Ocean Grove FNC)
Collendina Reserve – (Ocean Grove Cobras FC)
Osborne Park – (North Geelong FNC)

Week 2 – Preliminary-Finals (Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27)

Banyul Warri Fields – Polwarth Oval and Grenville Oval (Surf Coast Suns FNC)

Week 3 – Grand Finals (Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3)

Lara Recreation Reserve – Bisinella Oval and Lara Recreation Reserve Oval 2 (Lara Football Netball Club)