Major country leagues should embrace new date for grand final footy

A third major Victorian football league has made the move to hold their showpiece event the day before the AFL grand final. Now SHANE JONES argues others should follow suit to create a statewide footy festa.

Leopold won last year’s Geelong league grand final, which was held on Friday before the AFL grand final. Picture: Mike Dugdale

The time has come for all major country footy leagues to play their grand final on the public holiday Friday before the AFL grand final and create an unprecedented spectacle of local footy.

Early signs suggest that if leagues make the decision it would be worth the effort for players, spectators and the league’s finances.

Hampden Football League, in the state’s south-west, earlier this week announced it would join the Geelong league and VAFA in moving their grand final to the public holiday on September 26, 2025.

In making the decision the Hampden league said that after the success of the Geelong match, which attracted 10,000 fans, it decided to give the new date a try.

Both the VAFA and Geelong got larger crowds and more interest in 2024 as being the standalone games on the day in their first venture to the Friday grand final.

Hampden league are hoping for the same when the move is made in 2025, after attracting crowds of between 3000 to 4000 for previous grand finals.

The Hampden Football Netball League grand final next year will be held on a Friday. Picture: Hampden Football Netball League.

The president of the competition, Shane Threlfall, said it provided another advantage with more flexibility in the draw with the season going for longer.

This allows teams, players and clubs the opportunity to spread the season and have rests throughout.

Country footy has been crying out for more fans to come out and support the competition and for free space away from AFL finals to host their grand finals.

Holding them on Saturdays in September opens up the possibility of fighting AFL games on at the same time, especially when they are played in Melbourne.

Friday night, before the AFL grand final, has no competition and, done right, it could open up the door for leagues to make it a showcase day.

Think about it this way.

If all major country leagues including Bendigo, Ballarat, Goulburn Valley, Geelong, Wimmera and Gippsland held their grand finals on Friday, alongside the VAFA, it could be an opportunity for not only the people in those areas to watch but also allow those in metro Victoria to head out for the day to country areas.

Sunraysia and Ovens and Murray could also join them but would need support from the New South Wales teams in their competition who don’t have a public holiday.

By moving the date it could create an opportunity for country footy to be the focus, which is sometimes lacking in footy.

The past three number one AFL draft picks have all been from country Victoria, which continues to produce the best AFL players.

Having a day specifically focused on country footy would be a win for all.

Of course, there are always objections to breaking tradition and trying something new.

And it must be remembered that AFL Barwon 2024 grand final recorded a loss mainly through using GMHBA Stadium rather than another smaller venue.

Another contributing financial factor is the higher rates of public holiday pay for employees on the day.

However those increased costs would be offset by attracting larger crowds and gate takings.

Competition for eyeballs in all sports continues to become fiercer each and every year and local sporting bodies need to find the opportunities where they can maximise their audience.

A change in date for grand finals in country footy might not only help them survive, it might also be the decision needed to help them thrive.