The stages are set for what is expected to be a thrilling finals series.
The Murray Football Netball League announced on Wednesday morning which venues and grounds will be used for the upcoming 2024 finals series.
As the home-and-away season draws to a close, anticipation and excitement is growing over what is sure to be a tightly contested finals campaign between the top six sides in the football and netball.
As in previous seasons, the finals are allocated to grounds on a rotating basis; Murray Football League general manager Dale Norman believes that this encourages clubs to keep their grounds in the best conditions possible.
“By rotating the finals, clubs are encouraged to take pride in their facilities, and as we have seen over the past few seasons, the grounds have been in spectacular condition,” he said.
The 2024 finals series will last four weeks, with the first elimination final, between third and sixth place, scheduled for Saturday, August 31, in Mulwala at Lonsdale Oval.
The second elimination final between fourth and fifth will be held on Sunday, September 1, at Tongala Recreation Reserve.
The second week of finals will see first play second at Rumbalara Recreation Reserve in the first semi-final on Saturday, September 7.
On Sunday, September 8, the second semi-final will see the two victors from the first week of finals play each other at Finley Recreation Reserve.
The following week, the loser of the first semi-final - the winner advances straight through to the grand final - and winner of the second semi-final will meet in the preliminary final held at Barooga Recreation Reserve on Saturday, September 14.
Then, on Saturday, September 21, it’s time for the big dance.
The grand final is once again scheduled for Moama Recreation Reserve, with Norman believing that the ground is the perfect venue to encourage visitors from across the state to attend the grand final and support local businesses.
“Moama Recreation Reserve has proven to be the best venue in the competition for holding major events,” he said.
“Over the past two seasons, attendance records for the grand final have been smashed, even on the bleakest of days weather-wise in 2022.
“The Murray Football Netball executive is thrilled to be working with such enthusiastic partners as Eagle I and the Moama Football Netball Club, who are committed to ensure the finals success for all stakeholders.
“The Murray River Council has, too, been incredibly supportive.
“The council has invested a lot of time and money into the Moama facility for the benefit of players and supporters.”
The league also announced that the Murray Football Netball League presentation day would be held at Moama Bowling Club on Sunday, September 15, to get the ball rolling for grand final week.