Night grand final a Group Nine possibility

In the most radical step in decades, Group Nine officials decided to investigate the “logistics” of switching the grand final from its regular Sunday afternoon timeslot.

Group Nine secretary Warren Barclay made the stunning announcement after the group annual general meeting in Gundagai yesterday.

Barclay, who unselfishly elected to stay on as secretary when no other candidates emerged, revealed the issue of shifting the grand final to a Saturday night was now completely on the agenda.

“Basically the general committee has asked the (Group Nine) board to look at the logistics of playing the grand final on Saturday night rather than Sunday afternoon,” Barclay said yesterday.

“They (general committee) want the board to investigate all the implications.”

The decision to look at moving way from Sunday comes after the Group Nine and Riverina Football League grand finals clashed head on in September, causing a shortfall in gate takings for both events.

Delegates from the 11 Group Nine clubs do not want a repeat of the scheduling debacle in 2013 and will also pursue a compromise arrangement with the RFL. 

Under the idea, Group Nine and the RFL would take turns to play its grand final on a Saturday or Sunday of the same weekend, but AFL Riverina is unlikely to budge from its current position.

Barclay said the Group Nine grand final would be played at Equex Centre in Wagga next year, either under lights on Saturday night or on a Sunday afternoon.

“The venue will be Wagga whatever the outcome,” Barclay said.

For Barclay, remaining as Group Nine secretary was a fait accompli when no other official was prepared to take over.

Barclay announced early in the year he would stand down from the position, but he recanted the decision for the sake of rugby league in the region.

However, several of his regular tasks will be offloaded to other officials to ease the burden.

Barclay will remain on the Group Nine board, which was returned intact yesterday.