SFNL Division 1 decider to be moved after clash with St Kilda AFLW fixture

The Southern league Division 1 grand final will undergo an adjustment after clashing with an AFLW match.

Cheltenham celebrate its premiership over Cranbourne. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The Southern Football Netball League is confident a change to the date of the Division 1 grand final will have little impact on the crowd.

The Southern league has had a clash with the AFLW fixture and has been forced to shift its showpiece from Saturday, September 21 to Sunday, September 22.

The league wants to keep the decider at RSEA Park and has opted to adjust the date instead of changing venues.

Southern League CEO Lee Hartman believes the crowd will still pile in despite the change.

“Obviously we would prefer to play on a Saturday but when there’s scheduling clashes we have to work with what we’ve got,” he said.

“We definitely want to play at RSEA Park, we certainly don’t think the crowds will be affected so it should still be a bumper day.

“That Saturday, there are a lot of metro grand finals on that day as well, so it might actually attract some people who don’t normally come and watch the Southern Football Netball League.

“Back in the day the SFNL grand final used to be on a Sunday, based on that as well, we don’t think it’ll affect it.”

Cheltenham Picture: Valeriu Campan

With the Southern league’s top flight featuring an abundance of strong talent, Hartman hopes the quality of footy will lure supporters no matter the date.

“At the end of the day, we’re hoping the product will speak for itself,” he said.

“The crowd will still be good, it’s going to be competitive, we’re hitting the second half of the year so we’re looking forward to all the finals.

“The men’s, women’s and netball … it should be a good finish to the season.”

The Southern league will confirm finals venues for the other divisions in coming weeks.