I disagree Sam - Surely our Preliminary Final has to take place on the main field, the facilities at Exies are great but that is for the main field. The second field has a couple of temporary stands and no bar.
I hope the Blacks can negotiate with the Swans and the RFL to have their match moved to Sunday - PB what do you the chances of that are? Do the two clubs get along well?
Fair point, but is it really that different from Tumut last year? Most clubs operate their bar out of a tent (other than Griffith and Albury from memory).
I doubt the Swans and Goannas would agree to moving the game to the Sunday to accommodate the Blacks even if they do get along well. Waratahs Tigers play at Exies on the 10th August, I don't know where or how the Group 20 Finals work.
If you have a look at what teams are likely to feature in the 2nd week of the Finals, there is a strong chance that clubs from Griffith/Hay/Deniliquin will be a part of that week. Purely from a gate perspective, that will generate income.
On the other hand, the Steamers have invested in their clubhouse and have some good facilities in that regard. But they're only a chance of having 1st Grade in the finals. While I'm sure the Steamers would put on a great day, there isn't the local content ducking in to watch family etc run around.
Based on current ladder positions, and assuming the Minor Premiers across all grades win and the 4th placed team loses, week two will look like this:
1st Grade - Aggies v Griffith
2nd Grade - Aggies v City
3rd Grade - Griffith v Deni
Women's - Tahs v Tumut
I suppose the alternative argument is that it's no further for Deni from Albury to Griffith and the Wagga clubs would have a stronger turnout in Albury due to shorter travel. I'm sure the Tumut Bullettes would rather play in Albury and I reckon Ag College would rather play Griffith in Albury than in Griffith!