Gippsland Times |
THE East Gippsland Football-Netball League is set to play its senior grand final as a twilight fixture.
The league will keep its grand final day on Saturday, September 20, the same day as the Gippsland League's.
The Gippsland League last week confirmed it would move its grand final day back to a Saturday after last year playing it on a Sunday.
While concerned about the impact the major league's move could have, Football-Netball East Gippsland general manager Rod Twining confirmed the EGFNL won't be moving its showpiece event at Bairnsdale City Oval to avoid a scheduling clash.
The proposal for a twilight grand final is before the league's seven clubs.
"Bairnsdale will only play three night games this year (at home in the Gippsland League), the grand final is a good opportunity to use the lights," he said.
"It's something new, something novel, and we might get a few more people."
Twining said the later senior grand final was needed because of the addition of an under 16 football competition to the EGFNL this year.
Clubs had seen the gap between under 13s and under 15.5s as too great, so FNEG has re-aligned the Bairnsdale and District Junior Football Association's three grades.
The under 16s will join the EGFNL on Saturdays, with under 10s, 12s and 14s in the less serious BDJFA on Sundays.
The EGFNL season will begin on Good Friday, April 18, with Lakes Entrance hosting Paynesville.
Seven days later, Lakes Entrance will host an Anzac Day clash against Orbost-Snowy Rovers.
A former Hawthorn-listed player could take to the field for the Seagulls in their two public holiday matches.
Compared to previous years, the season has been compressed because of concerns about long seasons.
The league will play over the Queen's Birthday weekend for the first time, while the finals will be played over three weekends instead of four.
Meanwhile, the EGFNL will trial two Sunday games.
Stratford will head to Wy Yung on June 1 for what will be the AFL Victoria Country Game of the Month, where an AFL great will be special guest.
A week later during the Queen's Birthday weekend, Lindenow will host Wy Yung in another Sunday game.
