The AFL Outer East finals have been spread across the competition, with 19 clubs having been given the opportunity to host finals, taking into account the Junior, Veterans and Womens Finals Series.
The three Senior Grand Final venues will be held at Pakenham (Premier Division), Woori Yallock (Division One) and Yarra Glen (Division Two).
The Grand Final for the Womens competition will be hosted by Thornton-Eildon, but will be held at the Kilsyth Recreation Reserve, the home base for the AFL Outer East and the Eastern Ranges.
AFL OUTER EAST FINALS SERIES 2019
DIVISION 2
- WEEK 1, SATURDAY, 24 AUGUST: Woori Yallock (Co-Hosted by Yea) & Yarra Junction (Co-Hosted by Powelltown);
- WEEK 2, SATURDAY, 31 AUGUST: Healesville & Mount Evelyn;
- PRELIMINARY FINAL, SATURDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER: Monbulk;
- GRAND FINAL, SATURDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER: Yarra Glen* (Subject to change).
WOMEN
- WEEK 1, SUNDAY, 18 AUGUST: Upwey-Tecoma;
- PRELIMINARY FINAL, SUNDAY, 25 AUGUST: Upwey-Tecoma
- GRAND FINAL, SUNDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER: Kilsyth Recreation Reserve (Hosted by Thornton-Eildon).
DIVISION 1
- WEEK ONE, SUNDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER: Beaconsfield* & Gembrook-Cockatoo;
- WEEK TWO, SUNDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER: Woori Yallock & Olinda Ferny Creek;
- PRELIMINARY FINAL, SUNDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER: Beaconsfield;
- GRAND FINAL, SUNDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER: Woori Yallock.
* Beaconsfield will host all Netball in Week One of Finals.
PREMIER DIVISION
- WEEK ONE, SATURDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER: Berwick & Doveton;
- WEEK TWO, SATURDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER: Pakenham & Doveton;
- PRELIMINARY FINAL, SATURDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER: Healesville;
- GRAND FINAL, FRIDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER: Pakenham
All venues for finals will be neutral for Senior Football. Venues have the capacity to be changed at short notice.
Region General Manager Aaron Bailey says the AFL Outer East Commission is pleased with number of clubs hosting finals in 2019, with the recent improvements in the Yarra Ranges, Casey and Cardinia councils allowing this to happen.
“We have aimed to provide as many clubs as possible with the opportunity to host finals, across all competitions.”
“The facility development that has occurred in the Yarra Ranges, Casey and Cardinia councils has seen many venues now capable of hosting major fixtures, which has allowed this spread to occur.”
Bailey says that the AFL Outer East Commission was wary of making sure no senior side was given a home ground advantage on the football field.
“Through the process of selecting finals, the commission was mindful of ensuring that their was an even spread of feature finals across the region,”
“With neutral venues in senior football a priority, we have endeavoured to utilise venues that provide an even contest for competing clubs.”
“Pleasingly, we have seen many clubs host major finals for the first time. The new base of the AFL Outer East has provided the opportunity for Thornton-Eildon to host a Grand Final.”
Some clubs were unable to host due to council works and other uncontrollable circumstances.
-AFL Outer East
