Trevor Barker Oval to host VAFA Premier Men’s C deciders
The VAFA have been forced to move two more grand finals away from a flooded council oval following heavy rainfalls.
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The VAFA Premier Men’s C Grand Final between Monash Blues and Old Geelong this Friday has been relocated to Trevor Barker Oval after Elsternwick Park was trounced by heavy rainfalls on the weekend.
The Premier C Reserve decider between Old Geelong and Mazenod has also been moved away from Elsternwick Park to Trevor Barker Oval with the game to go ahead before the senior match.
The ground is controlled by the Bayside Council who resurfaced the oval in 2018.
Bayside council lease the ground to the VAFA and Old Melburnians in footy season and the Elsternwick Cricket Club in cricket season.
VAFA CEO Jason Reddick said: “Due to the continued poor state of Elsternwick Park, we have again made the call to relocate the Premier C Men’s Grand Final for the seniors and reserves to Trevor Barker Beach Oval, Sandringham this Friday.
“We believe the change of venue will enable quality matches to be played and the public holiday will entice another large crowd to witness the last of our VAFA Grand Finals for 2022.
“On behalf of the competing clubs and the wider VAFA community, I sincerely thank the Sandringham FC CEO Marcus Ashcroft and President Nick Johnstone, for their ongoing support in accommodating the additional VAFA finals matches this year.”
On Saturday afternoon, the state of Elsternwick Park - where VAFA headquarters are situated - caused the league to make a last minute move to relocate Sunday’s Premier Men’s grand final to Trevor Barker Oval.
The condition of the ground also resulted in the Under 19 and Premier Men’s Reserve decider being moved to Toorak Park after initial plans were for those games to be played before the Premier Men’s final at Elsternwick Park on Sunday.
The B-Grade decider at Elsternwick Park on Saturday was delayed due to the flooding on the ground.
Eventually the match went ahead in a wet and wild encounter which saw Old Haileybury win while almost breaking the record for their lowest ever score.
Final scores ended 2.10 (22) to 2.5 (17) with each half featuring two goals.
Bayside Council were contacted for comment.
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