ROBERTSON Oval will be the home of this year’s Farrer League grand final.
Farrer League’s competition management committee (CMC) have decided to make the switch to Robertson Oval for this year’s decider due to complications over parking at Maher Oval.
The Rules Club will soon begin construction of a $13.6 million motel development on the site that traditionally held most of the car parking on grand final day.
Farrer League and AFL Riverina held discussions with Wagga City Council about the possibility of parking on Anderson Oval on grand final day but were unable to come up with a suitable solution.
The grand final will now be held at Robertson Oval, for this year only, at this stage.
Farrer League president David Oehm said safety issues forced the decision.
“I can understand why the council don’t want us to park on Anderson Oval,” Oehm said.
“The Farrer CMC has an obligation to the greater majority to provide a safe place to get in and out of the ground.
“To be risking that and a lot of OH&S stuff is the last thing we want to do.”
Oehm, a big Maher Oval supporter, believes Robertson Oval will be suitable for a year.
“I can’t see it being a big hassle,” he said.
“It’s obviously not our preferred option because everything is in place at Maher Oval.
“We’ll be able to park at Bolton Park like they do in the NAB Cup games, people will just have to walk a few metres.”
The Farrer League has also shifted the second semi-final to Robertson Oval, while the preliminary, first semi and qualifying finals will stay at Maher Oval.
The elimination final will be determined at a later date but will either be held at Coolamon, Ariah Park or Ganmain.
AFL Riverina football operations manager Shane Buchanan backed the call.
“With the construction at The Rules Club, the competition’s hand’s been forced,” Buchanan said.
The unavailability of the Jezza Room has also forced a move of the Gerald Clear Medal to a Monday night.
