Local communities have brimmed with excitement over the weekend, as Football Grand finals returned after a two-year- hiatus.
Covid-19 has ravaged any hopes of local football finals in past years, and fans have flocked to suburban grounds once again.
Heading down to Frankston’s Skybus stadium in Melbourne’s south east was no exception. Parking my car within view of the ground I walked the streets to be met by the hum of the local supporters.
A tinge of excitement and nervousness filled the aura of the famous Bryan Mace grandstand early Saturday morning. It was a dreary ambience when Seaford’s under 19s took the field against a willing Langwarrin side. 11 degrees with a touch of rain and a slight breeze off the Frankston foreshore, the stage was set. It was grand final time and the atmosphere was electric.
The game was nothing short of a “ripsnorter” as Langwarrin local and self proclaimed ‘Diehard’ James Drinkwater would announce. a spectator among the Langwarrin faithful.
Local football fans were treated to a game ‘for the ages’, as Langwarrin ran away four-point winners to take the division two MPNFL premiership. Football talent was in no shortage.
Skilful goals, impressive marks and vicious tackles would make for an exciting contest! The day was filled with ecstasy and agony as local footballers won (and lost) grand finals.
“Disappointing result, but what an atmosphere it was,” Seaford coach Steve Kennedy would later reflect on the loss, a sense of pride and frustration in his tone.
“We loved to get the opportunity. The boys loved it, they loved the occasion and they loved getting in front of people to play.”
Despite this strong and attractive display of local football, some local fans are scolding the AFL and it’s scheduling arrangements.
“I know there is plenty of footy on today, so I don’t get why they’d schedule a game whilst others are on…” Kennedy would admit.
Recently, The AFL elected to undertake it’s own finals games in 4:45 Saturday afternoon timeslots, overlapping with local games.
Collingwood and Geelong in week one of finals would attract as many as 91,000 to the MCG for a 4:45pm game, undermining lower local football leagues who also played during that time.
Coinciding with this, Saturday’s preliminary final between Sydney and Collingwood did the same.
In doing so, Local games and it’s players would be robbed of their own stage, their own finals atmosphere tarnished.
Other leagues said it was like “A real kick in the teeth” (David Sinclair chairman of the Ovens and Murray League)
Football communities are begging for change in the scheduling habits, as their own beloved local teams are providing special moments at their own level, yet sometimes go unrecognised when up against the big league. Community football is hurting, as it seems the AFL is taking away from local clubs.
A simple solution would be for the AFL to play their games later, to avoid overlapping with Australian local communities. So, why not?
The AFL was contacted yet were unwilling to make a comment on this situation.
