Ballarat Football League confirms finals venues, including maiden host

Ladder-leader Melton will host Ballarat Football League finals for the first time while a city venue was overlooked due to a security issue.

Bacchus Marsh’s Joel Freeman and Melton’s Brett McIntyre. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The Ballarat Football Netball League has confirmed its 2022 finals venues with one club to host for the first time.

The league has also detailed the reasons Ballarat’s Alfredton Reserve was deemed “unsuitable for finals” ahead of the first finals series since 2019.

The finals series will start on August 27 with Melton’s Macpherson Park to play host for the first time.

Redan’s City Oval and East Point’s Eastern Oval have also been selected, while Mars Stadium will host the grand final on Saturday, September 17th.

Sebastopol’s Marty Busch Stadium, Lake Wendouree’s CE Brown Oval and North Oval 2 will host BFL Women’s and junior finals.

All venues in Ballarat are in use except for Alfredton Reserve.

BFN general manager Shane Anwyl told Leader that due to security issues, the league cannot properly collect gate takings during finals matches.

“It’s because it can’t be secured,” Anwyl said.

“The majority of the league’s income comes from finals and gate takings and Alfredton doesn’t allow us to do that. It’s an open venue.”

Ballarat Swans president Karl Drever confirmed the issue was what cost it the chance to host finals football.

Drever said his concern isn’t about not hosting finals but making sure the Swans make the finals.

Meanwhile, the BNFL will work with the Melton City Council and Melton to make sure Macpherson Oval can receive gate takings when it hosts finals matches.

The Bloods are expected to host a home qualifying final on Saturday, August 27.

With traditional venue Darley Park currently undergoing renovations, Melton’s extraordinary season will be rewarded with hosting right.

While there would be no financial reward, Melton president Brian McNabb said the club was looking forward to the opportunity to showcase its facilities.

“The club’s looking forward to it no end, it’s quite exciting that the facilities have been recognised,” he said.

“The way the grounds are, and the rooms, it will look first class.

“If we can keep winning there might be a bit of home ground advantage come finals time.

“We’re always open to host finals (in the future) as much as we can.”

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Depending on final ladder positions, Macpherson Park is expected to host the qualifying final, while Eastern Oval will host both elimination finals on Saturday and Sunday, August 27-28.

Macpherson or City Oval would then host the major semi-final on Saturday, September 3.

The minor semi-final and preliminary final are both locked in at City Oval before a grand final at Mars Stadium.

Women’s and junior grand finals will also be held at Mars Stadium on September 3 and 11 respectively.