South Barwon coach Mark Neeld wants the GFNL grand final to remain at Kardinia Park
A high profile footy mentor has revealed where the GFNL decider should be played amid revelations holding it at Kardinia Park was a costly exercise.
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South Barwon senior coach Mark Neeld hopes the GFNL grand final remains at Kardinia Park permanently.
The GFNL decider was played at GMHBA Stadium for the fist time since 2019 with more than 10,000 people in attendance as Leopold went back-to-back against Neeld’s Swans.
However, the peak body announced at its annual general meeting it cost more than it had initially forecast, leaving the door ajar for the game to return to a community ground in the future.
Swans coach Neeld told this masthead he hoped the decider would remain at Kardinia Park, after the 2023 grand final was played at Leopold.
“I hope it never moves,” Neeld said.
“Our club for one, (thought) it was a sensational experience (last year).
“And we sit there now and say: ‘imagine if we got back there to play’.”
He said the experience was also a special one for long term volunteers, coaches and support staff.
“We got over 10,000 people there, I saw it up close and personal,” he said.
“I got to see up close and personal the feelings and the looks on the faces and the comments from community footballers, community volunteers and community coaches who got the chance to step on Kardinia Park and play a grand final.
“I just thought from all those things, it was absolutely an outstanding day.
“I just thought it was absolutely sensational.
“(The players) thought it was absolutely incredible.”
He said he had provided that level of feedback to leaders of key stakeholders in Ed Wilson (AFL Barwon), Steve Hocking (Geelong Football Club) and Gerard Griffin (Kardinia Park Stadium Trust).
“I’m sure there are ways with the finances that the three groups ... I’d add a fourth one, the City of Greater Geelong to that,” he said.
“Surely there’s a way … if all smart minds got together, there would be something to do with sponsorship.”
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Originally published as South Barwon coach Mark Neeld wants the GFNL grand final to remain at Kardinia Park
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