The Riverina League grand final will be played at Wagga’s Robertson Oval this year.
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Concern for player safety following one of the wettest winters in recent history forced the league to break with tradition and take the event away from Narrandera Sportsground for the first time since 1998.
Riverina League president, Rob Ash, said player welfare was the priority.
“This decision has been made due to the playing surface at the Narrandera Sportsground being very wet and consequently very soft under foot,” Ash said in a statement.
He said, despite the best efforts of Narrandera Council, the elements had conspired against them.
“With more heavy rain this week, the Narrandera Sportsground could not be signed off on player safety,” he said. “It’s nobody’s fault that the South East corner… is waterlogged.”
Pointing to the sensitivity of the decision, Ash said that for the last six years clubs have voted 9-0 or 8-1 for Narrandera to host the grand final.
In a bid to keep the September 18 decider at its traditional home earlier finals were kept away from the venue.
Ash said a decision had to be reached this week to allow a fortnight for logistics including liquor licences and security.
Either Wagga Tigers or Leeton-Whitton will be the first team into the decider this weekend.
Crows coach Jade Hodge is happy to play on the best possible surface.
“It would’ve been better if it was at Narrandera – I like playing there, I think it’s a good atmosphere,” Hodge, who played in the 2008 decider, said.
“But the league’s got a decision to make and if it’s unsafe, it’s unsafe,” he said.
“I haven’t seen Narrandera so it’s hard to comment.
“But I like playing on Robbo too, it’s a good surface and it seems to handle the water pretty well. As far as spectating goes, you want it to be a good standard footy.”
Tigers coach Shaun Campbell agreed.
“It’s a great facility, it’s our home ground, 100 percent (it’s a good decision),” he said.